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- Tasks: Prepare, cook, and serve meals for up to 170 visitors while flexing your culinary creativity.
- Company: Join a supportive team at a residential training centre focused on high-quality hospitality.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, free parking, and excellent pension schemes.
- Why this job: Experience sociable hours, personal development opportunities, and a chance to innovate in the kitchen.
- Qualifications: A Level 2 food preparation and cooking qualification is preferred; passion and teamwork are essential.
- Other info: This role requires British citizenship and security clearance due to government organisation standards.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.
Chef
2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
This range is provided by Penna. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Salary: £30,178 rising to £32,439 after 12 months plus a £600 yearly allowance
Hours: 42 hours per week, Monday to Friday – sociable hours offering great work-life balance
The Role
What do weekends, bank holidays, and Christmas have in common? For you, they’re probably working days. Not anymore. Say hello to working in hospitality with hospitable hours.
As a Chef, you’ll work as part of a close-knit, collaborative and supportive team to deliver a high-quality experience at our residential training centre. Whether you’re at the start of your career, or you’re an experienced chef looking for better work-life balance, this is the role for you.
Day-to-day, you’ll prepare, cook and serve three meals to up to 170 visitors. You’ll also have the chance to dabble in fine dining. So, bring your best and boldest ideas and flex your culinary creativity to design new recipes and menus.
When it comes to your personal development, we’re as ambitious as you are: whether it’s work experience in another kitchen, a course you’d love to do, or specific qualifications – tell us how you want to develop, and we’ll support you every step of the way.
Typically you’ll work two 12-hour shifts and three 6-hour shifts per week (with breaks), and a meal provided on those longer days. There’s also occasional voluntary weekend work for which we pay overtime.
About You
Preferably, you’ll have a C&G/NVQ or equivalent Level 2 food preparation and cooking qualification. And you’ll be proactive with a customer-centred approach and the ability to work well as part of a team. Above all, you’ll be passionate, driven and ready to throw yourself into this role.
Training and Development
When you join us, you’ll complete an intensive induction course. The Catering team will help you settle in, and support and mentor you from day one. Then, you’ll receive ongoing training to help you thrive. There’s loads of on-the-job training opportunities available, such as an annual course on hygiene and food safety, and regular appraisals to support your continued learning and development.
Rewards and Benefits
You’ll receive a starting salary of £30,178 rising to £32,439 after 12 months with an allowance of £600 per year (pay award pending), plus other benefits including:
- 25 days’ Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years\’ service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
- opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
- free parking on site
- interest-free season ticket loan
- cycle to work scheme
- facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars
- paid parental and adoption leave.
This role is for a government organisation which requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). The requirement for security clearance means you will need to be British and to have lived in the UK for at least seven of the last 10 years, but we do assess each case individually. There are some common exceptions, like studying abroad, living overseas with parents, or serving with HM Forces. We’ll just need references for the time you lived abroad.
Closing Date: Tuesday 10th June 2025 at 23:59
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Other
-
Industries
Hospitality
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Chef employer: Penna
Contact Detail:
Penna Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with our culinary style and menu offerings. Researching the types of dishes we serve at our residential training centre will help you demonstrate your understanding of our approach during any informal discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for cooking by sharing your own culinary creations on social media or in a portfolio. This not only highlights your skills but also gives us insight into your creativity and personality as a chef.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with other chefs and professionals in the industry. Attend local culinary events or workshops to meet people who might have connections to our team, which could give you an edge when applying.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your personal development goals during any conversations with us. We value ambition and growth, so being clear about how you want to develop your skills will show that you're serious about your career with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant culinary experience and qualifications, such as your C&G/NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking. Emphasise any previous roles where you worked in a team or created new recipes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and your customer-centred approach. Mention specific examples of how you've contributed to a team or developed new dishes in past roles.
Highlight Your Development Goals: In your application, express your eagerness for personal development. Mention any specific courses or training you wish to pursue and how they align with the role, showing that you're proactive about your growth.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in the culinary field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Penna
✨Showcase Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to discuss your cooking techniques and any special dishes you excel at. Bring a portfolio of your best recipes or photos of your culinary creations to demonstrate your skills and creativity.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
As a Chef, working well with others is crucial. Share examples of how you've collaborated with kitchen staff in the past, highlighting your ability to communicate effectively and support your team.
✨Express Your Passion for Food
Let your enthusiasm for cooking shine through during the interview. Talk about what inspires you in the kitchen and how you stay updated on culinary trends. This will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare Questions About Development Opportunities
Since the role offers personal development, come prepared with questions about training and growth within the company. This shows that you're not only interested in the job but also in advancing your career.
