Freelance Chef

Inspirational, Passionate Freelance Chef

For a Special Community Project with Young People

‘Cook, Connect, Contribute’ – Youth Shedz Cymru

Freelance contract

(Approx. 1.5 days per week × 30 programme weeks)

Conwy & Denbighshire

Could you inspire a young person through food?

Following the exciting award of ‘Comic Relief Cwtch’ Funding, Youth Shedz is looking for an inspirational, passionate and experienced freelance chef to join us for Cook, Connect, Contribute, an exciting community project working with young people aged 11–25.

We're looking for more than someone who can teach a few recipes. We want a qualified chef who loves food and cooking and can pass that enthusiasm on to young people. Working alongside our Project Manager/Dietician, you'll teach small groups of young people practical culinary skills and how to prepare and cook a wide range of foods, from affordable everyday meals to food for community groups, shared meals and celebration events.

You'll also help young people learn how to eat well on a budget, plan and prepare meals, make food go further, use leftovers creatively and reduce food waste. This project is about more than cooking. Through food, we want young people to develop confidence, creativity, teamwork, independence and pride in what they can achieve and contribute to others.

Many of the young people we work with have experienced challenges including disconnection from education, Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), exclusion, social isolation and additional needs. We need someone who is patient, adaptable and able to engage young people who may not thrive in a traditional learning environment.

We're looking for someone who:

· Is a qualified professional chef, ideally Level 3 or above, with substantial experience.

· Holds a minimum Level 2 Food Safety/Food Hygiene qualification.

· Is passionate about equipping young people with culinary and life skills.

· Can teach a broad range of practical cooking skills in an engaging and accessible way.

· Understands affordable cooking, meal planning, reducing food waste and using leftovers.

· Has experience of running small groups, workshops, teaching or training.

· Has experience of, or a real ability to connect with, young people including those with additional needs and challenging backgrounds.

· Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

· Can travel across Conwy and Denbighshire.

We particularly welcome applicants who can draw positively on professional or lived experience of challenge to connect with and inspire young people.

The commitment

Cook, Connect, Contribute will run as three 10-week programmes across the year.

The chef will work approximately 1.5 days per week across the 30 programme weeks, with the exact working pattern discussed and agreed with the successful applicant.

Salary to be discussed

The successful applicant will be required to meet Group B safeguarding requirements and provide satisfactory references.

Interested?

If you're a chef who loves what you do, enjoys sharing your skills and believes that cooking can help young people discover confidence, independence and what they're capable of, we'd love to hear from you.

Cook. Connect. Contribute –

A special project where the food is only the beginning.

To apply for this fantastic role, please send your CV and a cover letter detailing your experience and reasons for applying for the role to [email protected]

If you would like more information about the role before you apply, please email our Cook.Contribute.Connect Project Manager, Sian Jenkison [email protected]

Closing date – 10am on 1st September 2026

Interview date – 8th September 2026

Pay: £24.50 per hour

Work Location: In person