At a Glance
- Tasks: Kick-start your chef career with hands-on experience in a busy kitchen.
- Company: Join The Pickled Ploughman, a family-run pub known for quality food and friendly service.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn with a competitive wage and tips, plus gain a recognised qualification.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive team environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Learn from experienced chefs and create delicious dishes using fresh, local ingredients.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths (grade 4 or above) required; relevant experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 16640 - 16640 £ per year.
Closes in 20 days (Monday 31 August 2026 at 11:59pm)
Kick-start your chef career with a hands‑on apprenticeship at The Pickled Ploughman.
Learn from experienced chefs in a busy, well‑respected kitchen, working with fresh ingredients to create quality dishes.
Gain valuable skills, earn while you learn and achieve a recognised qualification in a supportive team environment.
- Wage £16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
- National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
- All staff receive a share of any tips
Hours 5 DAYS A WEEK – WEEKEND AVAILIBILTY – DAYS ARE NEGOTIABLE TO SUITE INDIVIDUAL – SHIFTS WILL BE DISCUSSED –KITCHEN HOURS ARE 12: OO TO 21: OO
- 40 hours a week
- Monday 14 September 2026
- Duration 1 year 4 months
- Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands‑on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Preparing basic ingredients (washing, peeling, chopping vegetables, trimming meat, preparing sauces)
- Assisting senior chefs (Chef de Partie, Sous Chef) with food preparation and cooking
- Cooking simple dishes or components of dishes under supervision
- Ensuring food is prepared to the required quality and presentation standards
- Keeping workstations clean, organised, and hygienic at all times
- Following food safety and hygiene regulations (e. g. HACCP procedures)
- Receiving and storing deliveries correctly (checking quality, stock rotation/FIFO)
- Helping with mise en place for busy service periods
- Plating and garnishing dishes according to the pub’s style
- Maintaining kitchen equipment and reporting any faults
- Managing time efficiently during busy service to meet demand
- Assisting with stock control and informing senior staff of shortages
- Supporting other sections of the kitchen when needed
- Learning new cooking techniques and menu items
- Working as part of a team to ensure smooth kitchen operations
- Where you'll work
- AYNHO ROAD
- ADDERBURY
- BANBURY
- Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
- Uses knives effectively and efficiently.
- Selects ingredients of the right quality that support sustainability and seasonality.
- Weighs, measures, and scales ingredients.
- Cooks from fresh producing complete dishes.
- Prepares, cooks, and finishes meat, offal, game, poultry, fish, and shellfish from whole; trim, de-vein, portion, break down, bone, skin, fillet, shell.
- Prepares, cooks, and finishes fruit vegetables.
- Prepares, cooks, and finishes sauces.
- Prepares, cooks and finishes pureed and cream soup and stock based dishes.
- Prepares and cooks noodles, and fresh or convenience pasta.
- Prepares and cooks pulses and grains, including long and short grain rice.
- Prepares, cooks and finishes eggs or egg based dishes.
- Prepares, cooks and finishes leavened and unleavened dough products.
- Prepares, cooks and finishes sweet and savoury pastry products using short, sweet, and choux.
- Prepares, cooks and finishes scones, biscuits, sponge cakes, and non-sponge cakes.
- Prepares, produces, and finishes hot and cold desserts.
- Prepares and cooks dishes using alternative ingredients eg plant based, gluten free.
- Prepares fresh ingredients, including from whole, using them across a menu to reduce waste and improve sustainability
- Uses seasoning, spices, rubs, and marinades to flavour ingredients.
- Portions, plates, finishes, garnishes, and presents individual dishes.
- Exercises portion control and acts to maximise yield.
- Achieves intended quality in terms of texture, flavour, and appearance
- Identifies and resolves errors during the production process.
- Assists in the resolution of feedback, complaints, and issues.
- Prepares, cleans and uses manual and electrical food-preparation and cooking equipment and machinery safely, correctly and efficiently.
- Applies food safety and allergen procedures, including monitoring temperatures, during preparation, cooking, and holding.
- Selects and applies hygiene management techniques to maintain a safe clean work environment, including personal hygiene, PPE, and uniform.
- Complies with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures.
- Undertakes stock control, storage, and rotation.
- Applies food safety and allergen procedures, and monitors and records food temperatures, on delivery and in storage.
- Follows equity, diversity and inclusion legislation and organisational policies.
- Uses techniques for maintaining good mental health and wellbeing to support self and others, including asking for and giving help with daily tasks.
- Communicates with colleagues, manager and other stakeholders in a professional manner.
- Works as part of a team to support service delivery.
- Uses feedback to improve own performance.
- Manages own time to ensure tasks are completed.
- Selects correct knife for task.
- Uses knives effectively and efficiently.
- Selects ingredients of the right quality that support sustainability and seasonality.
- Weighs, measures, and scales ingredients.
- Cooks from fresh producing complete dishes.
- Prepares, cooks, and finishes meat, offal, game, poultry, fish, and shellfish from whole; trim, de-vein, portion, break down, bone, skin, fillet, shell.
- Prepares, cooks, and finishes fruit vegetables.
- Prepares, cooks, and finishes sauces.
- Prepares, cooks and finishes pureed and cream soup and stock based dishes.
- Prepares and cooks noodles, and fresh or convenience pasta.
- Prepares and cooks pulses and grains, including long and short grain rice.
- Prepares, cooks and finishes eggs or egg based dishes.
- Prepares, cooks and finishes leavened and unleavened dough products.
- Prepares, cooks and finishes sweet and savoury pastry products using short, sweet, and choux.
- Prepares, cooks, and finishes scones, biscuits, sponge cakes, and non-sponge cakes.
- Prepares, produces, and finishes hot and cold desserts.
- Prepares and cooks dishes using alternative ingredients eg plant based, gluten free.
- Prepares fresh ingredients, including from whole, using them across a menu to reduce waste and improve sustainability
- Uses seasoning, spices, rubs, and marinades to flavour ingredients.
- Portions, plates, finishes, garnishes, and presents individual dishes.
- Exercises portion control and acts to maximise yield.
- Achieves intended quality in terms of texture, flavour, and appearance
- Identifies and resolves errors during the production process.
- Assists in the resolution of feedback, complaints, and issues.
- Prepares, cleans and uses manual and electrical food-preparation and cooking equipment and machinery safely, correctly and efficiently.
- Applies food safety and allergen procedures, including monitoring temperatures, during preparation, cooking, and holding.
- Selects and applies hygiene management techniques to maintain a safe clean work environment, including personal hygiene, PPE, and uniform.
- Complies with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures.
- Undertakes stock control, storage, and rotation.
- Applies food safety and allergen procedures, and monitors and records food temperatures, on delivery and in storage.
- Follows equity, diversity and inclusion legislation and organisational policies.
- Uses techniques for maintaining good mental health and wellbeing to support self and others, including asking for and giving help with daily tasks.
- Communicates with colleagues, manager and other stakeholders in a professional manner.
- Works as part of a team to support service delivery.
- Uses feedback to improve own performance.
- Manages own time to ensure tasks are completed.
- This program is delivered mostly in the workplace, allowing you to build the skills needed by your employer
- Skills days in College are offered to help you develop your theory and also to target specialist skills
Requirements
GCSE in
- English (grade 4 or above)
- Maths (grade 4 or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Customer care skills
- Creative
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- About this employer
The Pickled Ploughman is a popular family‑run pub and restaurant in the village of Adderbury, Oxfordshire.
Known for its quality food, friendly service and selection of ales, the pub combines traditional character with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Using fresh local ingredients and offering a relaxed dining experience, it has built a strong reputation with both local residents and visitor.
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046282.
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Chef Apprentice in Banbury employer: Stratford
Join a dynamic and fast-growing team as an Assistant Manager, where your contributions are recognised and rewarded with up to £7,000 in annual bonuses and extensive career development opportunities through our IGNITE pathway. Enjoy a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee engagement, offering 28 days of holiday, generous discounts, and a supportive environment that fosters personal and professional growth. With a commitment to inclusivity and well-being, this is not just a job; it's a chance to thrive in a company that values your input and encourages you to take ownership of your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Apprentice in Banbury
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Dive into the local food scene by attending food festivals, culinary competitions, or community events. These gatherings are perfect for networking with industry professionals, showcasing your passion for hospitality, and even finding potential apprenticeship opportunities!
✨Join Hospitality Forums and Groups
Get yourself on platforms like Facebook or MeetUp and join hospitality-specific groups. Sharing your enthusiasm and connecting with people already in the industry can provide inside info and even lead to apprenticeship openings you might not find elsewhere.
✨Visit Local Venues Directly
Don’t underestimate the power of a face-to-face encounter! Pop into local restaurants or cafes with your bright smile and a keen interest in learning. Many places are keen to take on apprentices, especially if you can show a genuine interest right at their doorstep.
✨Utilise School Resources
If you're currently studying, make sure you chat with your college’s career services team. They often have exclusive partnerships with local businesses and can help you find apprenticeships in hospitality, especially tailored to new entrants like us.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Apprentice in Banbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality:When applying for an apprenticeship in hospitality at Stratford, make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for food and service. Share any relevant personal experiences, whether it’s working at family gatherings or volunteering at local events. This showcases your commitment and love for the industry right from the start!
Highlight Customer Service Experience:Even if you haven't worked in a formal hospitality setting, include any customer service roles you’ve had. This could be anything from helping out at a café to retail positions. Emphasising skills like communication and problem-solving will help us see that you're equipped to make customers feel welcome at Stratford.
Don’t Forget about Food Safety Knowledge:While you may still be learning, showing that you have a basic understanding of food hygiene and safety can set your application apart. Even mentioning food handling courses or certifications you’ve completed, or simply your willingness to learn, demonstrates readiness to jump into the apprenticeship and make the most of it!
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Keep your CV focused and concise by tailoring it specifically for this apprenticeship. Highlight skills like teamwork and adaptability, which are crucial in hospitality. We want to see potential and enthusiasm, so it’s okay if you don’t have extensive experience yet—just show us that you're eager to learn and grow with Stratford!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stratford
✨Know Your Menu
Before heading into your interview at Stratford, brush up on your knowledge of the menu items they offer. Being able to discuss their signature dishes or even suggest a popular pairing shows your passion and readiness to dive into the culinary world!
✨Demonstrate Your Customer Service Skills
In hospitality, customer service is key. Be prepared to share examples of how you've handled challenging customers or gone the extra mile to ensure someone has a great experience, even if it's from a school project or family gatherings. They want to see your attitude!
✨Show Enthusiasm for Learning
As an apprentice, your eagerness to learn can be your biggest asset. Talk about your motivations for choosing the hospitality sector, and express your excitement to learn the ropes from experienced professionals at Stratford. They’ll appreciate your fresh perspective and ambition!
✨Brush Up on Basic Food Safety
Knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards is super important in the hospitality industry. Familiarise yourself with basic food safety principles to discuss during your interview. Show that you understand why this knowledge matters, especially in a bustling environment like Stratford!
