We’re looking for someone to assist with the day to day running of all our dining and events at River Cottage, ensuring all aspects of your work follow the values and ethos of River Cottage and are delivered to the highest possible standards.
A River Cottage Chef role is like no other. You will be working with a daily-changing menu that is influenced by the seasons using the very best local, responsibly sourced, seasonal ingredients to create delicious dishes, which reflect our passion and commitment to food provenance.
You will have a passion for working with fresh ingredients and a desire to develop your culinary skills. You will be working with the best ingredients the South West has to offer, as nearly all our menu is created fresh. You will work closely with our suppliers and will have creative freedom, with the guidance of our Head Chef Emese Patko.
We’re on the hunt for a Junior Sous Chef or CDP, depending on experience. We're looking for someone to work an average of 40 hours per week, over 4 or 5 days (including weekends). You will be working primarily daytime hours between 7am and 5pm, with a minimum of one evening shift required per week.
KEY TASKS
- Deliver kitchen service, in-house dining, weddings and bespoke events (and cookery courses, if applicable) to the highest possible standard, in an organized and timely manner.
- Form good relationships with all River Cottage teams and contributors.
- Liaise with the Head Chef to ensure all produce is ordered in a timely fashion for all dining events and cookery classes, ensuring stock is rotated and checked.
- Produce accurate and relevant menus for dining events and recipe packs for each cookery school.
- Ensure all dining events and courses run within their allocated costs.
- Continually review ways of reducing waste, helping us deliver our sustainable objectives.
- Ensure that all controllable costs are kept within budget by recording all waste and ensuring accurate acceptance of deliveries.
- Coach members of your team to participate in demonstrations to aid their development.
KEY PRACTICES
- Ensure that all company assets, stock and property are well cared for and secure at all times.
- Maintain and monitor the highest standards of Hygiene and Health & Safety in accordance with all statutory, legal and company requirements. Ensure all due diligence & HACCP documentation is recorded & filed.
- Establish and maintain excellent communication with the Head Chef to agreed specifications and deadlines.
- Ensure the proper implementation of all company policies and procedures.
- Hold and attend training and team meetings as required.
- Communicate company policies, procedures, and standards and ensure that these are fully understood, implemented and adhered to at all times.
- Act as an ambassador for River Cottage and carry out PR activities when requested.
What we’re looking for:
- At least two years’ experience working in a similar fresh food environment
- Ability to independently run a calm and confident kitchen service, working efficiently in a fast-paced environment
- A positive, hard-working attitude
- Strong organisational skills
- Interest in and commitment to sustainable and ethical food practices
- Ability to work the shift requirements set out above, with some flexibility due to our fluctuating seasonal business needs
- Full driving licence, enabling you to both access our rural location and drive company vehicles on site
What you’ll get:
A salary of £30-35k dependent on experience, plus a share of tips.
- Team discounts in the River Cottage Kitchen
- Free cookery courses
- Family & Friends discounts
- Team food on shift
- Free parking
- Paid holiday & pension scheme
We love our people just as much as we love our food & it’s provenance. River Cottage is an equal opportunities employer committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace where our employees are comfortable to be who they are, no matter their identity.
