The Mocha Diner, Saffron Walden
Full-time | Permanent | Daytime shifts
Pay: Competitive pay depending on experience
Miss cooking, but not the late nights?
Perhaps you left hospitality because evening service, split shifts or unpredictable hours no longer suited your life. Maybe you still miss the pace of a good kitchen, the satisfaction of a busy service and the pride of sending out proper food.
The Mocha Diner is looking for a dependable Cook to join our small, friendly kitchen team in the heart of Saffron Walden.
Whether you are currently working in catering or returning after a break, we would be pleased to hear from you. Recent kitchen experience is not essential if you have solid previous experience and are ready to refresh your skills.
A daytime kitchen role
The Mocha is a busy independent diner serving traditional breakfasts, lunches, homemade meals and desserts cooked to order.
The role offers:
- Daytime shifts
- No evening service
- A consistent rota with approximately 30-35 hours per week
- Free food and drink while working
- A share of staff tips
- Uniform provided
- Workplace pension, subject to eligibility
- The opportunity to progress towards keyholder and kitchen-lead responsibilities
Weekend and bank-holiday availability is required as part of a rotating rota. We will explain the expected rota and usual shift times clearly before an offer is made.
What you’ll be doing
- Preparing and cooking consistent, good-quality meals to order
- Following our recipes, portion standards and kitchen procedures
- Completing food preparation before and during service
- Keeping the kitchen clean, organised and ready for busy periods
- Following food-safety, allergen and hygiene procedures
- Working calmly with the owner and the rest of our close-knit team
- Supporting stock control, deliveries and reducing waste
- Helping with kitchen opening and closing duties
Who we’re looking for
You should:
- Have previous professional kitchen, café, pub, care-home, school or contract-catering experience
- Be comfortable cooking during a busy breakfast and lunchtime service
- Take pride in consistency, cleanliness and presentation
- Be reliable, punctual and calm under pressure
- Communicate well and enjoy working in a small team
- Be able to work your share of weekends and bank holidays
- Be able to commute reliably to central Saffron Walden
You do not need to have worked in hospitality recently. If you have taken a career break, retired from full-time kitchen work or moved into another sector, that will not count against you.
Opportunity to progress
This is more than simply filling shifts.
Once you are fully trained in the Mocha’s kitchen and have demonstrated consistency and reliability, there will be an opportunity to take on additional responsibility. This could include opening or closing the premises, supporting stock and food-safety checks and becoming a trusted keyholder or kitchen lead.
Progression would be discussed with you formally and would include an agreed review of responsibilities and pay. It is an opportunity, not an expectation that you must become a manager immediately.
Interested?
Apply through Indeed with your CV and a short note explaining:
- Your previous kitchen or catering experience
- What interests you about returning to—or continuing in—daytime hospitality
- Your availability for weekday, weekend and bank-holiday shifts
If you have been away from professional cooking for a while, please do not let that stop you applying. We are happy to have an informal conversation before arranging an interview.
The Mocha Diner welcomes suitable applicants of all ages and backgrounds.
Pay: £13.00-£14.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Saffron Walden CB10 1ER: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Language:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Location:
- Saffron Walden CB10 1ER (preferred)
Work Location: In person
