At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as an Event Chef, prepping and cooking at exciting events across Edinburgh and surrounding areas.
- Company: Tomtain Recruitment connects talented chefs with high-quality event catering opportunities.
- Benefits: Earn between £15 to £20 per hour, with weekly pay and holiday accrual.
- Why this job: Experience diverse kitchens, learn new techniques, and enjoy flexible shifts that fit your lifestyle.
- Qualifications: A positive attitude, reliability, and adaptability to different kitchen environments are essential.
- Other info: Travel costs covered for distant events; we prioritize your welfare and long-term relationships.
Overview
We are currently recruiting Event Chefs to work at a variety of different events in Edinburgh, East and West Lothian, Lanark, Peebles and the surrounding areas. Most of our events are with a small selection of high-quality event caterers in interesting venues, working with top quality produce.
Job Description
The standards of food at events can be anything from those expected in multi award winning kitchens with Michelin stars, AA Rosettes, and other accolades as well as more basic events with simple menus offering traditional Scottish classics and anywhere in-between.
The most common requests are for chefs to come and support an event kitchen with on-the-day prep, set up, cooking, plating and clean-down of the event kitchen.
Depending on the event, you may be asked to:
Run a station or section during service.
Prepare and carry out prep lists to ensure mise en place is ready.
Be willing to adapt to kitchens that can be anywhere from a marquee set up, to a high-profile historic venue, all with their own different challenges.
Log temperature checks, keep the kitchen clean and tidy and carry out any other health & hygiene practices.
Take overall responsibility running the kitchen for more senior bookings.
People this may suit
The reasons chefs choose event work, and the type of person that takes on these roles are varied. Many have full or part-time jobs and enjoy working in a different environment for the occasional shift, learning new dishes and techniques, while earning some extra money. Some have other commitments from family, study, and hobbies through to other jobs such as offshore working or another part-time role. Many of the chefs we work with also have their own business and top up their work with event chef shifts as and when available.
The most important thing is that you have a good attitude, are dependable, and are willing to work to the specs, recipes, and standards that each client requests.
What we ask of you
Attitude is arguably the most important aspect of being a great relief chef. We look for people who can adapt to different kitchens, and have a helpful, positive, grown-up approach to work.
Reliability and turning up in a timely manner to events.
Try and be reasonably flexible when considering events the more you do well, the more you will be offered.
What we promise you
Having worked with thousands of relief chefs over a twenty-year period we understand that there are plenty of good agencies out there, and many who miss the mark. We build long-term relationships with our chefs, and our clients. We take the welfare of our candidates seriously and that is one reason why we have worked with many for such a long time. We promise we will:
Do our best to offer events that will be suitable for you based on your experience and what you have told us you are looking for.
Try to work with good employers who pay and treat their relief chefs well.
Deal with any issues promptly, seeing them through until resolved.
Ensure all details of bookings are communicated clearly, efficiently, and promptly.
If a workplace repeatedly falls short of our expectations, we will stop working with them we want to send you to good, respectful, fair kitchens.
Process wages, holiday pay and other queries quickly and accurately.
Wages
Event Chef work is paid weekly on an hourly basis, one week in hand. We pay good rates, for interesting and varied work. Depending on the booking you take on, hourly rates vary between £15 to £20 per hour.
For events that are a little further afield, you will usually be paid your travel costs to the booking.
For event chef bookings you will:
Get paid weekly on a PAYE basis on a Friday.
Accrue holiday pay in addition to the quoted hourly rate for every hour worked.
Receive a weekly payslip.
Be eligible for a workplace pension after 3 months.
Tomtain Recruitment offers the services of an employment agency for permanent work and an employment business for temporary work. Tomtain Recruitment is acting as an employment business in relation to this vacancy (except for any bookings where you are employed directly by the client, in which case we are acting as an employment agency).
AMRT1_UKCT
Event Chefs - Edinburgh and surrounding areas employer: Tomtain Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Tomtain Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Event Chefs - Edinburgh and surrounding areas
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the types of events and venues we cater to. Understanding the range from Michelin-starred kitchens to traditional Scottish events will help you adapt your skills and showcase your versatility during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with other chefs and industry professionals in Edinburgh. Attend local culinary events or workshops to build connections that could lead to opportunities with us or other event catering companies.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your adaptability by sharing experiences where you've successfully worked in different kitchen environments. Highlighting your ability to handle various challenges will make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your positive attitude and reliability in any interactions. We value chefs who are dependable and have a can-do approach, so make sure to convey this in conversations and during any trial shifts.
We think you need these skills to ace Event Chefs - Edinburgh and surrounding areas
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to emphasize any previous experience you have in event catering or working in high-pressure kitchen environments. Mention specific events or types of cuisine you've worked with to showcase your adaptability.
Showcase Your Skills: Detail your culinary skills, especially those that align with the job description. Include any specialties in traditional Scottish dishes or experience with Michelin-star standards to stand out.
Demonstrate a Positive Attitude: Since attitude is crucial for this role, convey your willingness to adapt and your positive approach to challenges in your application. Use examples from past experiences where you successfully navigated difficult situations.
Tailor Your Application: Customize your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements mentioned in the job description. Address how you can meet the expectations of reliability, flexibility, and professionalism that the company values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tomtain Recruitment
✨Show Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in various kitchen environments. Highlight any specific techniques or dishes you excel at, especially those relevant to event catering.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility
Emphasize your ability to adapt to different kitchen setups and menus. Share examples of how you've successfully adjusted to new environments or challenges in the past.
✨Exhibit a Positive Attitude
Your attitude is crucial in this role. Be sure to convey your enthusiasm for event work and your willingness to collaborate with others, even under pressure.
✨Discuss Reliability and Punctuality
Talk about your track record of being dependable and arriving on time for shifts. This is particularly important in event catering where timing can be critical.