Chef

CHRISTMAS AVAILABILITY IS MANDATORY

We are recruiting for our Christmas trading season. You must be available to work throughout the Christmas period, from Tuesday 1 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, including evenings and weekends. You must also work at least two of these three days: Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. We cannot consider applications that do not meet both requirements. Every site is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Maison de Boeuf is our romantic Parisian steakhouse in Cardiff’s Castle Arcade, a candlelit slice of France tucked inside one of the city’s most beautiful Victorian arcades. Behind the polished dining room sits a busy, high-quality kitchen where classic bistro cooking is done properly, night after night, and where every member of the brigade matters to the plate that leaves the pass.

The steak is the star of the show here, and this role owns it. We’re hiring a Chef who can run the grill through a packed Friday service, keep the pass organised and calm when the checks are flying in and turn their hand to starters and desserts when the service needs it. It is proper cooking at the heart of a close brigade, with real prep work behind every service and real progression for anyone who wants to build a career at the stove. You’ll be surrounded by people who take the trade seriously and look after their own.

Location: 21-25 Castle Arcade, Cardiff, CF10 1BU

Pay: £13.11 per hour + £4 per hour from the tipjar (on average). 100% of the tipjar goes to the team.

Hours: Full-time and part-time available

Availability: Full availability from 1 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 is mandatory, plus at least two of Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve

Experience: Open to all, full training provided

What you’ll be doing

• Running the grill, cooking our steaks to spec and to order, every time
• Running the pass and keeping it organised, so every plate leaves complete, correct and on time
• Preparing and plating starters, and stepping onto desserts when the service needs it
• Getting through solid prep work and mise en place so the kitchen is always ahead of demand
• Keeping your section clean, tidy and food-safe throughout service
• Following all hygiene and health and safety standards without cutting corners

Who we’re after

A hard-working, reliable Chef who takes real pride in every plate they send out. You cook with care and consistency, stay calm and organised when the checks are flying in and hold your standards on a quiet Tuesday just as firmly as on a packed Saturday night. You understand that great steak leaves no room to hide, that the pass sets the tone for the whole kitchen and that solid prep is what makes a smooth service possible, and you are fully available across the Christmas period. Experience is welcome, full training is provided either way.

Benefits and rewards

Money on top of your wage

• £4 per hour from the tipjar, on average. 100% of the tipjar goes to the team, paid weekly through payroll
• £100 Employee of the Month, voted by the team
• £100 staff referral bonus
• Stage 1 training paid at your hourly rate, plus a £25 completion bonus

Food and drink on us

• 25% staff discount across every VTC venue
• 25% off Maison de Boeuf for tables of up to six (anyone in the party can pay)
• Free food while you’re on shift
• Free coffee, hot drinks and juice, on or off shift

Time off and team culture

• Guaranteed birthday off
• Christmas Day and New Year’s Day off, every site closes
• Paid breaks
• Two staff parties a year, plus regular socials

Training and growth

• Funded qualifications, including Food Hygiene Level 2 or 3
• Length-of-service reward, a Champagne three-course dinner for two at Maison de Boeuf
• A genuine route into chef training and progression
• Company pension scheme
• A non-corporate, people-first culture

How to apply

Apply through Indeed. We read every application. Please confirm in your application that you are fully available from 1 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, and tell us which two of Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve you can work.

Pay: From £13.11 per hour

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount

Work Location: In person