Commis Chef
Competitive Salary | Flexible Working Hours
Evening and weekend working required | Rotas planned in advance to support a healthy work/life balance
Join the Kitchen Team at Old Down Country Park
At Old Down, we're proud to offer a unique dining experience across our café, weddings, corporate events and seasonal functions. We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Commis Chef to join our growing kitchen brigade.
Working alongside our Head Chef, Head Pastry Chef and experienced chefs, you'll prepare fresh, seasonal dishes using quality ingredients, including produce grown and reared on the Estate wherever possible.
This is a varied role offering the opportunity to develop your skills across multiple catering environments, from busy café service to large-scale weddings and events. If you're looking to expand your culinary knowledge, learn from experienced chefs and progress your career, we'd love to hear from you.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and assist in cooking high-quality, fresh food for the café, weddings, corporate events and seasonal functions.
- Work across all kitchen sections, developing your skills while supporting the wider kitchen brigade.
- Assist with the preparation and service of wedding breakfasts, evening receptions and event catering.
- Undertake Kitchen Assistant duties where required to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the kitchen.
- Work collaboratively with all departments to deliver exceptional events and guest experiences.
- Prepare food using fresh, seasonal ingredients, including produce grown and reared on the Estate wherever possible.
- Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and organisation throughout the kitchen, assisting with kitchen porter duties when required, including pot wash, equipment cleaning, waste management and maintaining a clean working environment.
- Assist with stock rotation, food preparation and reducing food waste.
- Be flexible and willing to support the team wherever required, particularly during weddings and large events.
- Contribute ideas for seasonal dishes and menu development.
About You
We're looking for someone who is passionate about food, enjoys working as part of a team and is eager to develop their career within a busy, fresh-food kitchen.
You'll ideally have:
- A genuine passion for cooking and producing high-quality food.
- A desire to gain experience in weddings, banqueting and event catering.
- Experience preparing fresh, home-cooked food using seasonal ingredients.
- Confidence working across multiple kitchen sections, or the enthusiasm to develop these skills.
- Good knife skills and a solid understanding of cooking techniques and kitchen practices.
- A strong work ethic with a willingness to support all aspects of kitchen operations, including kitchen porter responsibilities when required.
- A positive attitude and a genuine desire to learn from an experienced kitchen brigade, including our Head Chef, Head Pastry Chef and senior chefs.
- The ability to remain calm, organised and adaptable during busy services.
- An approachable, team-focused attitude with a willingness to support colleagues across the wider Estate.
- A passion for producing exceptional food and delivering an outstanding guest experience.
- A commitment to maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and presentation.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary.
- Flexible working hours based on business demand.
- Rotas issued in advance wherever possible, allowing you to plan your personal life.
- A diverse role across all aspects of the business.
- The opportunity to work with fresh produce grown and reared on the Estate.
- Opportunities to contribute to seasonal menu development.
- Ongoing training, mentoring and clear opportunities for career progression.
- The opportunity to learn from an experienced kitchen brigade, gaining valuable experience in café service, weddings, banqueting and event catering.
- A genuine work/life balance – outside of weddings and major events, the Park closes at 4.00pm during the winter and 5.00pm during the summer.
- A supportive and collaborative team culture – we're not an "it's not my job" workplace. Everyone rolls up their sleeves, helps one another and works together to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests.
If you're looking for a varied and rewarding role where you can continue to learn, develop your skills and become part of a supportive, ambitious kitchen team, we'd love to hear from you.
Visit our website to discover more about Old Down Country Park and apply today.
Pay: From £13.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Flexible schedule
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
