Culinary Apprentice in Auchterarder

We’re looking for ambitious, curious, and creative Apprentice Chefs to join our kitchen team. This year, we’re offering two exciting apprenticeship pathways: a Culinary Apprenticeship and a Pastry Apprenticeship. Gleneagles has inspired generations of apprentice chefs who’ve rolled up their sleeves in our kitchens to learn their trade, hone their craft and kick‑start successful careers in the culinary industry and field of luxury hospitality.

So much more than a job, our Culinary Apprenticeship is the chance to earn while you learn, a journey of discovery, an opportunity to learn from chefs at the very top of their game, an outstanding professional development experience, and an industry kitemark that is recognised globally. Do you aspire to know your beurre noisette from your beurre blanc; your charcuterie from your cartouche; your choux from your crème pâtissière; and your Tandoor from your tartare? Are you ready to serve up a portion of excellence along with a side of talent, a helping of motivation, a glug of hard work, a dollop of humour and a good grind of camaraderie?

With nine bars and restaurants, Gleneagles offers an unparalleled opportunity across the culinary spectrum, from the theatre of Scottish fine dining to the delicate precision and creativity of pastry, to the pace and scale of private dining and the relaxed flair of bar food, Italian brasserie and Indian cuisine. A powerful combination of education and building technical skills under the supportive mentorship of our experts, this outstanding Culinary Apprenticeship has been the launch pad of many a great chef’s career.

The on‑target earning potential for this role is £29,883 per annum based on a 39‑hour contract – comprising a base salary of £24,883, plus a qualified estimate of £5,000 in gratuities and service charge.

As a member of the Gleneagles team, you will also enjoy a fantastic range of perks, benefits and rewards.

Recruitment & Selection Timeline

• Application - To be considered for our next intake, please complete your application by Sunday 12th April 2026
• Stage 1 Selection - Telephone interviews will take place from week commencing Monday 20th April to Friday 1st May 2026
• Stage 2 Selection - Selection Day will take place at Gleneagles on Tuesday 19th May 2026
• Start Date - Our next cohort of Culinary Apprentices will join our business in September 2026

ABOUT GLENEAGLES

One of the world’s most iconic luxury hotels and sporting estates, Gleneagles has been making memories for a century. Crowned ‘Employer of the Year’ at the 2024 Cateys and Number One Resort in the UK & Ireland by readers of the Travel + Leisure for their 2025 World’s Best Awards, everything we do is about surpassing expectations and creating unrivalled adventures for our guests.

WORKING AT GLENEAGLES

We’re devoted to making our people feel as valued as our guests. In this way, we strive to support the whole ‘you’ – not just the professional part but the personal part too. People join our team for all sorts of reasons. Some work here permanently to develop a career, some work seasonally, while others have a schedule to fit around their personal commitments. However long you plan to stay with us and whatever hours you’d prefer to work, we’re open to flexible working requests and offer hours, shift patterns and contract types to suit everyone.

Location; Auchterarder, just off the A9. Gleneagles is also within easy reach of a number of Scottish towns and cities: Edinburgh City Centre (1hr), Glasgow or Dundee (50mins), Stirling and Perth (25mins).

Here’s a bit more detail on what we see you doing in this role

Our Kitchen Apprenticeships are unique 18‑month, hands‑on programmes that lead to a Level 5 Professional Cookery qualification accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and a permanent position on successful completion of the apprenticeship. Fully immersed in operations from day one, you’ll be learning on the job, building your talents, and developing your experience. Under the caring mentorship of a dedicated Culinary Development Partner, you’ll be fully supported throughout the programme, and provided with unlimited opportunity for fun, adventures and making happy memories and life‑long friendships as you go!

With automatic enrolment into our Gleneagles Academy, you’ll also have access to some of the best learning and development opportunities in the field of luxury hospitality. From supplier visits and master‑classes to training workshops and opportunities with key industry brands and organisations, your development journey in our Glorious Playground will be unrivalled. You will graduate from your Culinary Apprenticeship with the skills and experience to forge a successful career and the confidence to make your mark as a chef.

You will create a unique and personalised portfolio of work‑based learning leading to a Level 5 Professional Cookery qualification, with the option to progress to level 6 and 7. Learn everything there is to know about developing a career in the kitchen such as Food hygiene and safe working practices in the kitchen, Recipe writing and menu planning and Practical skills such as using knives effectively, cooking methods and food preparation.

Depending on your chosen pathway, you will either rotate through a selection of our world‑class restaurants or support multiple outlets from our Pastry Kitchen, gaining exposure to a variety of culinary styles and service environments:

• The Strathearn, our Fine Dining restaurant where our chefs use the finest locally sourced ingredients and will teach you the methods of classic French cuisine
• The Birnam Brasserie: an elegant but relaxed Mediterranean restaurant where you will learn the fundamentals of Italian cooking while incorporating some innovative flair
• The Dormy, a laid‑back family favourite where you will learn to produce grill classics alongside mouth‑watering specialities from the Tandoor oven.

You will also gain exposure to a host of other kitchen areas such as Private Dining & Events and a variety of seasonal pop‑ups.

The kind of person we’re looking for

• You’re ambitious for your future, have the determination to succeed, and have a real desire to take your first steps into a skilled, professional chef
• Fully committed to completing the required work‑based learning to achieve a formal qualification and enjoy a fantastic range of practical, hands‑on work
• You have a passion for excellence and love to cook up creative, mouth‑watering treats in the kitchen
• Hard work and determination are just part of who you are, you’re at your best under pressure or working to a deadline
• You have a positive “can‑do” attitude to solving problems in a professional and courteous manner
• Highly motivated and possessing an immense sense of pride in your work; you’re passionate about delivering the high standards for our guests in line with the Gleneagles brand
• A strong team player with great communication skills and an enthusiastic approach; you’re well organised and punctual with an eagle eye for detail
• You want to be part of a team that works hard, supports each other and above all has fun along the way

What’s in it for you

• 30 days holiday (including bank holidays) that increases with service
• Seasonal parties and local social events
• 50% discount on Food & Beverage, Country Pursuits, Spa and Hair Salon (Mon‑Thurs) and the Golf Driving Range
• Golf Membership (with access to all 3 championship courses) for £50.00 per annum
• Flexi points into your Perkbox wallet to spend as you choose.
• Free ‘pay day’ lunch and monthly drinks offers
• Stay with us as a guest at Gleneagles or Gleneagles Townhouse for up to 2 nights per year at £95.00 per night – a benefit available upon completion of 12 months service
• Friends & Family discounted rate of £225 – £275 B&B per night at Gleneagles
• Enjoy discounted rooms and restaurants rates with up to 50% off across the wider Ennismore brands and hotels
• Subsidised, single occupancy, en‑suite accommodation available on our estate

Investment in your development and wellbeing

• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme, offering support and confidential advice for you and your family when you need it most
• Ongoing investment in your personal development with access to internal and external training qualifications and programmes
• Internal career opportunities across a wider range of specialisms and departments
• Monthly recognition programme
• Volunteering day every year with a charitable partner of your choice
• Complimentary access to our staff gym
• Gleneagles Cycle Scheme to spread the cost of the bike that you really want and reduce your carbon footprint

About gratuities & service charge

Gratuities (tips) and service charge (an additional charge added to our room rates and services across the estate that is passed directly to our employees) are paid on a pro‑rata basis regardless of your role. It is estimated that in 2026, our full‑time employees can expect to receive around £5,000 in addition to their annual salary.

If you are our next Culinary Apprentice, please forward your most recent CV to us today!