Overview
At The Balloon Tree, we believe good food starts with great ingredients.
Our café kitchen is built around proper home cooking, seasonal produce and traditional recipes, with much of our fruit and vegetables grown here on the farm and the rest carefully sourced from trusted Yorkshire suppliers.
We're looking for an experienced, reliable Chef who enjoys cooking from scratch, takes pride in producing consistently high-quality food, and thrives in a busy daytime kitchen. This is an opportunity to become part of a close-knit team where your ideas are valued, and you'll have the chance to contribute to our ever-changing specials board.
If you're passionate about fresh food and want a role with an excellent work-life balance, we'd love to hear from you.
Job Role & Shifts
- Full-time, 40 hours per week
- Daytime hours only – no evenings or split shifts
- Typical shift: 8:00am – 5:30pm
- Flexibility is required, although the average working week will be Wednesday to Sunday
- Regular weekend working is essential
Benefits
- Daytime hours only
- No evening shifts
- Staff discount
- Free on-site parking
- Supportive and friendly team
- Opportunity to help shape our seasonal specials
- Excellent work-life balance
Responsibilities
- Prepare and cook fresh, homemade dishes using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
- Produce consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and portion control.
- Help develop creative daily and seasonal specials alongside the kitchen team.
- Maintain excellent food hygiene and safety standards at all times.
- Assist with stock control, ordering and minimising waste.
- Ensure the kitchen remains clean, organised and compliant with food safety regulations.
- Work closely with the front-of-house team to deliver smooth and efficient service.
- Support colleagues across the kitchen and contribute to a positive team environment.
What we're looking for
- Previous experience as a Chef in a busy café, restaurant or similar hospitality environment (essential).
- A genuine passion for cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
- Someone who enjoys preparing traditional homemade food to a consistently high standard.
- Calm, organised and able to work efficiently during busy service.
- Strong understanding of food safety and kitchen hygiene.
- A positive team player with excellent communication skills.
- Pride in your work and a keen eye for detail.
- A recognised catering qualification is desirable but not essential if supported by relevant experience.
- Own transport is essential due to our rural location.
Why join The Balloon Tree?
The Balloon Tree is a family-run farm shop and café with a loyal customer base and an excellent reputation for quality food. Our kitchen is known for making dishes from scratch, baking in-house and making the most of the fantastic produce grown on our own farm.
We're looking for someone who shares our passion for honest, homemade food and wants to be part of a friendly team that genuinely cares about what it serves every day.
Pay: £13.60-£14.60 per hour
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Do you have your own transport?
- Where are you currently located?
Experience:
- Kitchen: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate (preferred)
Work Location: In person
