At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a busy kitchen, create innovative menus, and ensure top-notch service.
- Company: Join the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, a popular heritage railway in Snowdonia.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, pension scheme, travel perks, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Flexibility to work shifts, including evenings and weekends, is essential.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team in a fast-paced environment, making culinary magic happen.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in high-volume kitchens required.
The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways are two of the UK’s most popular heritage railways, located in the heart of picturesque Snowdonia. Spooner’s, our restaurant and bar situated on Harbour Station in Porthmadog, is an exceptionally busy hospitality venue within a major tourism environment, delivering the highest levels of service throughout the day.
We are looking for an experienced Head Chef to oversee all culinary operations within Spooner’s. This will be a hands-on role, the successful candidate will lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, passion, and dedication to culinary excellence and maintaining composure and effective leadership during peak service pressures to ensure that the kitchen operates efficiently at all times.
We are looking for an inspirational motivator to lead the team whilst developing an innovative and appealing menu using fresh, local produce wherever possible to appeal to a wide customer base.
- Permanent, full time position
- A minimum of 28 days paid holiday, inclusive of all bank and public holidays
- Enrolment into the company pension scheme after a qualifying period
- Company enhanced sick pay
- Travel benefits on the Ff&WHR and on national rail according to the Rail Staff Travel rules in place at the time of employment
- Staff discounts in shops and catering outlets
This role will operate within an extremely busy, high-volume, fast-paced kitchen environment, particularly during peak railway and tourism seasons. Candidates must be capable of leading a high-output kitchen while maintaining exceptional standards under pressure. The successful candidate will be able to manage high customer volumes, tight service windows, and rapid workflow.
- Extensive culinary knowledge and proficiency in various cuisines, cooking techniques, and food presentation
- Experience working as a Head Chef (or Senior Sous Chef) in a high-volume, fast-paced kitchen environment
- Proficiency in menu planning, cost control, and inventory management
- Creative and innovative mindset, with a passion for culinary arts and continuous improvement
- A thorough knowledge and understanding of food safety regulations, and best practice
The ability to speak Welsh would be an advantage as would knowledge of the railways, their passengers and/or the local hospitality and tourism industry. The successful candidate will be flexible, able to work any shifts as required, including evenings and weekends, to maintain maximum efficiency of the kitchen. Applicants for this position must have the existing right to work in the UK, the Festiniog Railway Company is not able to offer sponsorship of Visa applications.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Sick pay
Executive Sous Chef, Full Time in Porthmadog employer: Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways offer a vibrant and dynamic work environment at Spooner’s, where culinary creativity meets the stunning backdrop of Snowdonia. As an Executive Sous Chef, you will benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises employee growth, with opportunities to innovate and lead a passionate team in a high-volume setting. Enjoy generous holiday allowances, enhanced sick pay, and travel benefits, all while contributing to a beloved heritage venue that attracts visitors from far and wide.
Contact Details:
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Sous Chef, Full Time in Porthmadog
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Spooner’s and the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. Understanding their values and what they stand for will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the kitchen culture and what it takes to succeed at Spooner’s, plus it might just give you an edge over other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your culinary flair! Prepare a sample menu or dish that reflects your creativity and understanding of local produce. Bring it along to your interview to demonstrate your passion and skills – it’s a great way to leave a lasting impression!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us!
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Sous Chef, Full Time in Porthmadog
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Culinary Arts:When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you in the kitchen. We want to see that you're not just about the food, but also about creating memorable dining experiences.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As an Executive Sous Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated teams in the past and how you handle pressure during busy service times. We need someone who can keep the kitchen running smoothly!
Be Creative with Your Menu Ideas:We’re looking for someone who can bring fresh, innovative ideas to our menu. In your application, feel free to include some of your favourite dishes or concepts that you think would work well at Spooner’s. Show us your culinary creativity!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Spooner’s!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your culinary knowledge and techniques. Be ready to discuss your experience with various cuisines and cooking methods, as well as how you've handled high-pressure situations in the kitchen. This will show that you're not just a chef, but a culinary leader.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've motivated and led a team in previous roles. Think about specific instances where you’ve had to maintain composure during peak times and how you’ve inspired your team to deliver exceptional service. This is key for a role that requires effective leadership.
✨Get Creative with Menu Ideas
Come to the interview with some innovative menu ideas that utilise fresh, local produce. This will demonstrate your creativity and passion for culinary arts, plus it shows that you’re already thinking about how to appeal to a wide customer base at Spooner’s.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways and their customer base. Knowing the local hospitality and tourism industry will give you an edge. If you can speak a bit of Welsh, even better! It shows your commitment to the community and enhances your candidacy.
