At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and present delicious small plates with bold Eastern Asian flavours.
- Company: Join the Smoking Lobster Group, a vibrant family-run restaurant on the Isle of Wight.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive pay, staff discounts, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth and learning in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team creating memorable dining experiences with fresh, local ingredients.
- Qualifications: Experience in a quality kitchen and a love for food and presentation.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 15 £ per hour.
Smoking Lobster is a family-run, Pan-Asian fusion restaurant group, with a focus on small plates, bold Eastern Asian-inspired flavours, exciting cocktails, a vibrant dining experience and celebrating local produce from the Isle of Wight.
About Us
Smoking Lobster is focused on delivering an elevated style of food and hospitality in a professional, laid-back environment. Heavily influenced by a mix of Eastern Asian cuisine, our restaurants offer guests a contemporary dining experience centred around bold flavours, high-quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation and vibrant presentation. Food is at the heart of what we do. Our menus celebrate fresh produce, seafood, seasonal ingredients and carefully balanced flavours, combining technical preparation with an informal style of hospitality. Both of our kitchens are open-style, where guests can watch us prepare their food, so presentation & confidence in communicating with guests is important.
The Role
We are seeking confident, professional chefs to join our kitchen team. This role is suited to chefs who care deeply about food, consistency and detail. You will be working with fresh ingredients, bold flavour profiles and a small-plates concept that requires strong organisation, communication and precision. This is not standard restaurant cooking. We deliver an elevated but relaxed dining experience, where every plate matters. You will be expected to prepare, cook and present dishes to specification, maintain excellent kitchen standards and contribute to a food culture built around quality, pace and pride. You will be part of a focused kitchen team where preparation, timing, presentation and flavour all come together to create a memorable guest experience.
What We Are Looking For
- A genuine passion for food, ingredients and flavour
- Strong attention to detail in preparation, cooking, plating and presentation
- Previous kitchen experience in a fresh-food or quality restaurant environment
- Confidence working with seafood, fresh produce and bold Eastern Asian-inspired flavours
- An interest in learning about our menus, suppliers, ingredients and preparation methods
- The ability to follow specifications and deliver consistency across every dish
- A strong sense of pace, timing and organisation during busy services
- A clean, disciplined and professional approach to kitchen standards
- Good awareness of food safety, hygiene, allergens and correct storage procedures
- Positive energy and a strong team ethic
- Flexibility and availability predominantly for weekends and evenings
- Flexibility in working between two Island venues
What You’ll Be Doing
- Preparing fresh ingredients for service to a high standard
- Cooking and presenting dishes in line with Smoking Lobster’s specifications
- Working across a small-plates menu with a focus on flavour, balance and presentation
- Handling seafood, seasonal produce and specialist ingredients with care and consistency, including raw dishes such as sushi & sashimi
- Maintaining quality and accuracy across prep, cooking, garnishing and plating
- Supporting the delivery of a smooth, well-timed service during busy periods
- Keeping your section clean, organised, stocked and ready for service
- Following food safety, hygiene, allergen, labelling and storage procedures at all times
- Communicating clearly with the wider kitchen team and front of house where needed
- Taking pride in the quality, appearance and consistency of every dish served
- Supporting menu execution, prep lists and daily kitchen routines
- Reporting to those managing you, supporting those beside you and guiding those under you
What We are Offering
- Full training in our food specifications, including preparation, cookery, assembly & garnish
- The opportunity to join our chefs on our fishing boat to provide our Catch of the Day
- Flexible, zero-hour contract
- Competitive rate of pay + tronc
- Staff discount of 20% when you dine with us
- On-shift discount of 50%
- Extended breaks & split-shifts
- Ability to set availability requests in our dedicated staff rota platform
- A strong, supporting team environment with a focus on growth & nurturing
- Measurable growth potential in your role
- Opportunity to undertake formal training & qualifications, such as Food Safety & Hygiene, First Aid
Hours
We are offering a flexible, zero hour contract (on a part-time or full-time basis) with the expectation to work split shifts of 12 hours, between 30 hours and up to 60 hours per week.
Tronc
We operate a transparent tronc system, meaning all tips are distributed fairly across the team based on hours worked and role. The tronc is managed independently and paid in addition to your hourly rate on a monthly basis, rewarding the whole team for delivering a consistently high standard of food and service. It ensures everyone contributes to, and benefits from, a busy and successful service. Your hourly rate of pay comprises your agreed wage + tronc. Any additional or surplus service charge collected is distributed via the tronc system in accordance with the Company’s tronc policy.
To Apply
Please read the full role description detailed above, and attach your CV, with a short cover note on why you are a good fit to join Smoking Lobster Group.
Seasonal Chefs | Smoking Lobster Group (Cowes & Ventnor) employer: Smoking Lobster
Smoking Lobster Group is an exceptional employer that prides itself on fostering a vibrant and supportive work culture, where culinary passion meets professional growth. With a focus on high-quality ingredients and bold flavours, employees enjoy the unique opportunity to work in open-style kitchens, engage with guests, and participate in hands-on experiences like fishing for the Catch of the Day. The flexible working arrangements, competitive pay, and commitment to staff development make it an ideal place for chefs looking to thrive in a dynamic and rewarding environment on the beautiful Isle of Wight.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Seasonal Chefs | Smoking Lobster Group (Cowes & Ventnor)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Smoking Lobster vibe! Before you apply, check out their social media and website to understand their style and menu. This will help you tailor your approach and show them you're genuinely interested in their unique dining experience.
✨Tip Number 2
When you get that interview, be ready to showcase your passion for food! Talk about your favourite ingredients, dishes you've created, or experiences with bold flavours. They want chefs who care deeply about what they serve, so let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since the kitchen is open-style, you'll need to interact with guests and the team. Be confident in sharing your culinary journey and how you can contribute to their vibrant atmosphere.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're tech-savvy and keen to join the Smoking Lobster family. Don’t forget to highlight your flexibility and teamwork spirit!
We think you need these skills to ace Seasonal Chefs | Smoking Lobster Group (Cowes & Ventnor)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through. Share any experiences that highlight your passion for fresh ingredients and bold flavours, especially if they relate to Eastern Asian cuisine.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Make sure to detail your previous kitchen experience, particularly in fresh-food or quality restaurant environments. Highlight any roles where you’ve worked with seafood or small plates, as this will show us you’re a great fit for our team.
Keep It Clean and Professional:Just like in the kitchen, presentation matters! Ensure your CV and cover note are well-organised and free from errors. A clean, professional application reflects your attention to detail and discipline.
Tailor Your Cover Note:In your cover note, explain why you want to join Smoking Lobster specifically. Mention what excites you about our menu and dining experience, and how you can contribute to our vibrant kitchen culture. Don’t forget to apply through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smoking Lobster
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the fresh produce and seafood you'll be working with. Smoking Lobster values a genuine passion for food, so be ready to discuss your favourite ingredients and how you would use them in dishes.
✨Show Off Your Presentation Skills
Since presentation is key at Smoking Lobster, practice plating techniques before your interview. Bring along examples of your work or even photos of dishes you've created to showcase your attention to detail and creativity.
✨Communicate Confidently
As the kitchen is open-style, communication with guests and team members is crucial. Prepare to demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly and confidently about your cooking process and the dishes you create.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Flexibility
Highlight your experience working in a team and your flexibility in busy environments. Smoking Lobster looks for chefs who can maintain a positive energy and adapt to the fast-paced nature of the kitchen, especially during peak service times.
