Chef

Location: The Watering Place, Weavers Lane, Sudbury, CO10 2EU
Employment Type: Full-time or part-time – hours to be discussed, rota basis
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience, and position taken.
Progression: Potential progressive role for the right candidate.

About Us

The Watering Place is a friendly, independent, family-run bistro café in the heart of Sudbury.

We are a growing and evolving business, serving a varied food offering across breakfast, brunch, lunch, à la carte dining, seasonal specials, homemade bakes, private functions and outside catering events.

We pride ourselves on freshly prepared food, quality ingredients, consistency and a warm, welcoming approach.

Alongside our daily restaurant and café service, we also operate an established outside catering business and are continuing to develop a small retail range of homemade food products.

We are now looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and ambitious Chef to join our kitchen team.

There is a possibility of a progressive role for someone who wants to do more than simply work a section. For the right candidate, there is a real opportunity to take on increasing responsibility, contribute to the direction of the kitchen and ultimately progress towards a more senior position.

The Role

As Chef, you will work closely with the existing kitchen team across all areas of the food operation.

The role is hands-on and varied. One day may involve a busy brunch or lunch service, while another could involve preparing an à la carte menu, developing a seasonal special, producing cakes and desserts, preparing for an outside catering event or testing a new retail product.

You will be responsible for helping maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, organisation and food safety throughout the kitchen.

You will also have the opportunity to contribute to menu development, food costing, stock control, staff training and the wider organisation of the kitchen.

As your experience within the business develops, we would expect you to take greater ownership of services and kitchen operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and present a wide range of dishes to a consistently high standard.
• Carry out all aspects of food preparation and food handling.
• Cook and plate menu items to order efficiently and consistently.
• Work across breakfast, brunch, lunch, à la carte and event menus.
• Support the production of cakes, desserts, bakes and savoury items where required.
• Contribute ideas for seasonal dishes, specials and new menu items.
• Assist with menu development, recipe testing and food costing.
• Help develop products for our growing retail food range.
• Prepare food for private functions and outside catering events.
• Support event setup and service where required.
• Maintain high standards of food quality, portion control and presentation.
• Ensure dishes are delivered within appropriate service times.
• Work closely with front-of-house colleagues to ensure smooth and organised service.
• Maintain a clean, hygienic and well-organised kitchen.
• Ensure all food hygiene, allergen, due diligence, health and safety procedures are correctly followed.
• Keep allergen and food safety information accurate and up to date.
• Support stock control, ordering, stock rotation and waste management.
• Help minimise unnecessary food waste and maintain sensible food costs.
• Support and train junior members of the team.
• Take a lead role during services when required.
• Work flexibly across different kitchen sections.
• Lead by example and contribute positively to the wider team.

This list is not exhaustive, and as part of a small family business, flexibility and teamwork are an important part of the role.

Progression

We are keen to find somebody who wants to develop with the business.

Initially, you will focus on learning our menus, systems and standards and becoming a strong, dependable member of the kitchen team.

As you develop, there may be opportunities to take increasing responsibility for areas such as:

• Running kitchen services
• Menu planning and development
• Seasonal specials
• Recipe and menu costing
• Ordering and supplier management
• Stock control and waste reduction
• Food safety and due diligence
• Allergen management
• Kitchen organisation
• Training and supporting other team members
• Maintaining food quality and presentation standards
• Supporting kitchen rotas and planning
• Taking greater responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for somebody who:

• Has previous professional kitchen experience.
• Is confident working with fresh ingredients.
• Has strong cooking and food preparation skills.
• Can work calmly and efficiently under pressure.
• Has a positive, can-do attitude.
• Is organised and able to manage their own workload.
• Takes pride in food quality, presentation and consistency.
• Works well within a small, close-knit team.
• Is flexible and willing to support different sections of the kitchen.
• Shows initiative and is comfortable contributing ideas.
• Has a good understanding of food hygiene, allergens and kitchen safety.
• Is willing to learn and also support the development of others.
• Has good communication and time-management skills.
• Is interested in progressing and taking on more responsibility.
• Is capable of leading by example.

Experience in any of the following would be particularly beneficial:

• Menu design and development
• Food costing
• Fresh-food kitchens
• À la carte cooking
• Brunch or lunch service
• Pastry, baking or dessert production
• Product development
• Outside catering
• Staff training or supervision

Formal qualifications are beneficial but not essential where the candidate can demonstrate strong practical experience.

A driving licence and access to a car would be preferable due to occasional outside catering work but not essential.

Working Hours

Full-time or part-time hours are available and can be discussed with the successful candidate.

The role will operate on a rota basis and will include a mixture of:

• Weekdays
• Weekends
• Mornings
• Occasional evenings for events and private functions

We are happy to discuss working patterns with the right candidate.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay based on experience.
• Full-time or part-time opportunities.
• Company pension.
• Staff meals and food discounts.
• A varied role within an independent family-run business.
• Creative input into menus, seasonal dishes and new products.
• Experience across café, brunch, lunch, à la carte and outside catering.
• The opportunity to develop both kitchen and management skills.
• Involvement in retail product development.
• Increasing responsibility as you progress.

If you are an experienced Chef looking for a varied role where you can cook, create, contribute, lead and progress, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person

Pay: £14.00-£20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Work Location: In person