At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a brand-new café kitchen, creating delicious brunch dishes and learning the culinary trade.
- Company: The Bean & Bear, a family-run café in Quorn, Leicestershire.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, creative input for Chef, hands-on training for Trainee Chef, and growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team, growing together from day one.
- Why this job: Shape a new menu and build your culinary skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience for Chef; eagerness to learn for Trainee Chef.
The predicted salary is between 12.5 - 13.5 £ per hour.
We're building a brand-new kitchen from scratch, and looking for two people to help shape it: an experienced Chef, and a Junior Chef ready to learn the trade.
Chef: £28,000–34,000 | Permanent, full-time | on-site, weekends included
Trainee Chef: £12.50–13.50/hr | part-time or full-time | on-site, same days as the Chef
Location: Quorn, Leicestershire (both roles)
About the café
The Bean & Bear is a new café in Quorn, Leicestershire, combining coffee and brunch dining with an indoor, booking-only soft play space for children. There's also an alfresco garden and outdoor event space, so the menu serves families, local businesses at lunch, and dog walkers and commuters too. It's a family-run business opening its doors for the first time, with the kitchen built from scratch.
Chef
As Chef, you'll shape the food offer from launch, working directly with the owners on a brunch-led menu for families and for adults using the garden and event space. You'll:
- Prepare and deliver a brunch-led menu including breakfast dishes, sandwiches, light lunches and baked goods
- Bake fresh in-house daily, from artisan-style pastries to seasonal traybakes
- Lead on menu development, bringing creative input to seasonal specials
- Manage day-to-day food safety and HACCP compliance in the kitchen
- Train and support a Junior Chef to confidently run the kitchen during your breaks and holiday cover
Essential: proven experience in a busy café, brunch or restaurant kitchen; confident baking skills; strong working knowledge of food safety and HACCP compliance; confidence training or mentoring a junior team member.
Useful, not essential: high-volume daytime or brunch service experience; an eye for current café and food trends.
Trainee Chef
As Trainee Chef, you'll work alongside our Chef from day one, learning food prep, baking and service in a brand-new kitchen, and building the confidence to run it solo during their breaks and holiday cover. You'll:
- Support the Chef with food prep, cooking and service throughout the day
- Learn in-house baking techniques, from pastries to seasonal traybakes
- Help keep the kitchen clean, organised and compliant with food safety standards
- Build the skills and confidence to run the kitchen solo during cover periods
Essential: some kitchen experience, professional or otherwise; willing to learn food safety and HACCP procedures; a reliable, hands-on approach.
Useful, not essential: interest in baking; Food Safety Level 2, or willingness to obtain it; previous café, brunch or restaurant experience.
Benefits & culture
Development: Real creative input (Chef) or hands-on training (Junior Chef), with a clear path to running the kitchen independently.
Culture: A family-run team, building the kitchen and its reputation together from launch.
Growth: Genuine opportunity to grow as the business expands.
How to apply
Click apply and let us know which role you're interested in. We'll be in touch to arrange next steps.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef & Trainee Chef in London
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at The Bean & Bear and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef & Trainee Chef in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at The Bean & Bear that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at The Bean & Bear.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at The Bean & Bear get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Bean & Bear
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at The Bean & Bear and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
