Chef / Cook.
The Sun Inn-St Harmon
Role Overview
We are looking for a reliable, enthusiastic and practical Chef / Cook to join our small rural pub serving the local community and visitors to the St Harmon and Rhayader area. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys preparing good-quality, honest pub food, working with seasonal ingredients where possible, and helping create a warm, welcoming food offer for locals, walkers, cyclists, families, holiday makers and passing trade.
The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a small kitchen environment, able to manage prep and service efficiently, and willing to contribute ideas for menus, specials and events that suit a rural pub setting.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare, cook and present fresh, consistent and appealing pub meals to a good standard.
- Support the development of a simple, seasonal menu that works for regular local customers as well as visitors and holiday makers.
- Create daily or weekly specials that make good use of available produce and respond to customer demand.
- Carry out food preparation before service, including vegetables, sauces, soups, desserts, roasts, bar meals and lighter options.
- Run lunch, evening and occasional event services calmly and efficiently, either independently or as part of a small team.
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food hygiene and kitchen organisation always.
- Follow food safety procedures, including allergen awareness, stock rotation, fridge and freezer checks, labelling, dating and temperature records.
- Manage stock levels, minimise waste and assist with ordering from suppliers where required.
- Work closely with front-of-house staff to ensure smooth service and clear communication about menu availability, specials and customer requirements.
- Help cater for community events, Sunday lunches, small functions, seasonal occasions and busy holiday periods.
About the Food Offer
Our aim is to offer traditional, good-value pub food with a friendly rural feel. The menu may include homemade soups, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, burgers, pies, fish and chips, curries, vegetarian options, Sunday roast, children’s meals, desserts, cream teas, buffets and themed evenings. We would welcome someone who can help shape a practical menu that suits both everyday local trade and visitors exploring Mid Wales, the Elan Valley, Rhayader and the surrounding countryside.
Skills and Experience
- Previous experience as a Chef, Cook, Kitchen Assistant with cooking responsibility, or similar hospitality role is essential.
- Confident with in food preparation, portion control and presentation.
- Ability to work independently in a small kitchen and manage time well during busy periods.
- Good understanding of food hygiene, allergens and safe food handling.
- Friendly, flexible and team-focused approach.
- Willingness to help with a range of kitchen duties, from prep and service to cleaning and stock control.
- Creative approach to simple specials, seasonal dishes and local customer favourites.
- Food Hygiene Level 2 certificate is essential alongside Level 3 , or willingness to complete training.
- Experience in a pub, café, B&B, hotel, restaurant or rural hospitality setting would be an advantage.
Personal Qualities
- Reliable, punctual and organised.
- Calm under pressure and able to prioritise during service.
- Friendly and approachable to all staff and customers, with an understanding of the importance of a community pub.
- Pride in preparing food that is tasty, consistent and well presented.
- Flexible attitude towards hours, seasonal trade and occasional events.
- Interest in rural life, local produce and welcoming a mix of regular customers and visitors.
Working Pattern
Hours will be discussed and may include weekdays, evenings, weekends, Sunday lunches, bank holidays and busier holiday periods. The role could suit a full-time, part-time or flexible arrangement depending on experience and availability.
What We Offer
- A friendly rural pub environment with a strong local and visitor trade.
- Opportunity to influence the food offer and help develop menus and specials.
- Supportive, hands-on working atmosphere in a small team.
- Varied work across regular service, community occasions and seasonal visitor demand.
- Competitive pay depending on experience, hours and responsibilities.
- Contracted hours with annual leave, sickness and pension contributions.
How to Apply
To apply, please send your CV for the attention of Sabrina Cadman alongside a short note about your cooking experience and availability to [email protected] Informal enquiries are also welcome.
Pay: £15.38-£20.00 per hour
Expected hours: No more than 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Rhayader, Powys: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
