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How would you like to work in one of our stunning Heritage venues? Including The Oakfield, an award-winning British pub-restaurant which won the Travellers’ Choice Award in 2024, ranking it in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide. Or The Square, our new, grandeur, award-winning events venue. If this sounds like it might tickle your taste buds, apply now and join our fantastic team.
All of our kitchens are led by our sustainable values. We work hard to source high quality, local and seasonal produce, are making progress towards zero waste kitchens by 2030. We also partner with our suppliers to ensure only ethically sourced palm oil enters our kitchens.
Our venues, all held within our 128 acre site of stunning gardens, will jointly operate a turnover of £12.5 million. As a not for profit, everything we make is ploughed into conservation both here in the UK and around the world. Your role has a huge part to play in delivering our mission.
The Role
Food & Beverage at the zoo includes The Oakfield, The Square, as well as three other restaurants, cafes, and coffee houses. You will be directly responsible for supporting the Sous Chef and Head Chef in The Oakfield, making sure the department is driving the provision of fresh, quality ingredients whilst meeting our sustainable values.
You will:
* Provide support in the day-to-day running of the kitchen. Deputise for the Sous Chef in their absence and act as the first point of contact for service recovery.
* Support the Sous Chef in devising and delivering on-trend restaurant, gastro pub, and event menus ahead of competition, ensuring all venues at Chester Zoo maintain their world-class reputation.
* Produce food for customers of our restaurants and events to the highest standards in order to maximise profit and deliver a world-class experience.
* Train and mentor Chef de Parties, Line Chefs, and Seasonal team members to ensure effective and efficient work practice.
* Work collaboratively with the front of house team to ensure seamless delivery.
* Adhere to, and ensure team members adhere to, health and hygiene, standard operating procedures and safe working practices including food safety systems and associated legislation (for example HACCP).
* Ensure correct stock levels on a day-to-day basis, placing order requests to the Sous Chef, and accepting deliveries, ensuring they are correct and rotating stock as required.
The Package
You’ll be working a variety of shifts, across our core zoo opening hours, as well as covering early mornings and evenings for events or late openings as required.
* Permanent contract.
* £28,898.96 per annum based on a 40-hour week.
* 33 days annual leave.
* Staff pass so you and your immediate family can visit the zoo during your time off, plus 20 additional complimentary tickets per year for your friends and family.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Discounted gym membership.
* Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops, and more via Perks.
* Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%.
Our Requirements
* Demonstrable experience of chef skills in a high-volume business, including hotels, venues, restaurants, pubs, and contract catering.
* Able to demonstrate understanding of current restaurant and event food trends.
* Good COSHH understanding and workplace application.
* Good communication and coaching skills.
More about working for us
We celebrate diversity and we’re building a workplace where everyone belongs, and everyone is included. We place utmost trust in all our employees and give you the encouragement to do great work.
We expect a can-do attitude, but we don’t expect you to do it alone - you’ll be supported every step of the way. You’ll be given the tools you need to do your job well, and you’ll be offered further learning in areas there’s a gap.
As an international conservation charity, we’re focused on continuing to make a difference in conservation.
We are Chester Zoo, and together we are creating a future where nature can survive and thrive.
Shortlisting of applications and interviews for the role will take place while the advert is live; the advert will close once the successful candidate is found and it is possible this will be prior to the advertised end date. Candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.
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