Casual Peripatetic Lead Chef
Company: Field Studies Council
Salary: Exceeds National Minimum Wage
Hours: Part-time
Location: Keswick, CA12 4SG
Working pattern: On-site
Job type: Temporary
Posting date: 9 Nov 2026
Closing date: 28 Nov 2026
Do you love creating healthy, delicious, and sustainable meals?
Join Field Studies Council as a Casual Peripatetic Lead Chef and combine your passion for great food with the opportunity to travel across the UK
Why you'll love working with us:
- Get paid to travel and work at our beautiful Field Studies Council locations across the UK
- Flexible casual work with no obligation to accept assignments
- £16.12 to £17.11 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience
- Accommodation provided when working away from your home area
- Reasonable pre-agreed travel costs covered
- Work with welcoming teams in unique locations from coast to countryside
- Fixed mealtimes and planned menus for improved work-life balance
- No late-night finishes, shifts are normally completed by 8pm
- Make a real difference by supporting an environmental education charity
Love where you work!
At the Field Studies Council we promise to get people outdoors, provide high quality learning and encourage positive wellbeing. We're all about creating outdoor learning experiences and opportunities that inspire everyone to be curious, knowledgeable, passionate and caring about the environment.
From dramatic coastlines, historic estates and national parks, our centres are located in some of the UK's most inspiring environments. Every year, thousands of young people and adults visit us to discover and connect with the natural world, and great food is a big part of making their experience special.
What you'll be doing
As a Casual Peripatetic Lead Chef, you'll take responsibility for the catering operation at the learning location where you're working. Combining hands‑on cooking with kitchen leadership, you'll lead hospitality teams to deliver memorable meals for up to 160 visitors.
You’ll be creating nutritious, sustainable menus that cater for a wide range of diverse diets and allergens, including, but not limited to vegan, vegetarian, gluten‑free, nut‑free, and religious or cultural options.
Typical day:
- Breakfast: 7-11am
- Dinner: 3-8pm
- Set menus with 2-3 options per meal
- A mix of prep, cooking, and kitchen leadership
- Leading a small team of staff to maintain high standards of hygiene and food safety
We're proud to have achieved the Soil Association Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award, recognising our commitment to healthy, sustainable meals.
Keen to know more?
Watch this video to learn more about a day in the life of a Chef at the Field Studies Council.
Where you'll be based
This is a truly
flexible, travelling role with no fixed work base. You'll be offered assignments on an ad hoc and occasional relief basis at our beautiful Field Studies Council learning locations throughout the UK as business needs arise, and you can choose whether to accept or decline each opportunity.
When working away from your home area, accommodation will be provided and reasonable pre‑agreed travel expenses will be covered.
Who we're looking for
We're looking for experienced chefs who thrive in a busy environment and enjoy leading others to deliver excellent service.
You'll need:
- Catering experience which includes management or supervisory responsibilities.
- A catering qualification or relevant vocational experience.
- Experience of stock control, ordering and budget management.
- Knowledge of food safety systems, including HACCP and Safer Food Better Business.
- Experience catering for large groups, schools, residential settings or similar environments.
- Strong leadership, organisation and communication skills.
- A flexible approach and willingness to travel and work across different locations.
If you're passionate about food, enjoy variety in your work, and want to use your skills to support meaningful outdoor learning experiences, we'd love to hear from you.
If you have any queries regarding this vacancy, please call Chris Wilkinson (Catering & Hospitality Development Manager) on 07771376884
Applications will be considered on arrival
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we're in receipt of sufficient applications.
Interviews are scheduled to take place online on a rolling basis
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Casual Peripatetic Lead Chef in Keswick employer: Field Studies Council
Field Studies Council Slapton is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in a stunning coastal environment while contributing to memorable experiences for school groups and visitors. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and support, employees benefit from a friendly work culture, opportunities for personal growth, and the chance to engage with nature daily, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
