Jobs

JOB PURPOSE

Working alongside the Mackintosh at the Willow kitchen team preparing high quality dishes according to established recipes and standards. To oversee a designated section of the kitchen, ensuring smooth operations during service.

Overseeing daily kitchen activities including supervising kitchen staff, aiding with menu preparation, ensuring food quality and freshness and monitoring and ordering stock levels. To assist in the daily running of the kitchen, following Head Chef’s specific guidelines and maintaining hight standards and quality in both co-operative teamwork and dishes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Provide excellent food Preparation and presentation:
o Execute culinary techniques to prepare and present high-quality dishes according to established recipes and standards.
o Ensure consistency and excellence in the taste, presentation, and portioning of all dishes. Ensure the team delivers consistently and to a high standard in the absence of the Head Chef
• Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and compliance.
• Section Management:
o Oversee a designated section of the kitchen, delegating tasks effectively and ensuring smooth operations during service. On occasion over see running of kitchen in Head chef or Sous Chef Absence.
o Help train, mentor, and supervise junior kitchen staff, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Ensure that the required standards are adhered to in the production and preparation of food.
• Monitor and maintain inventory levels for ingredients and supplies, complete ordering in line with the instructions of the Head Chef.
• Maintain a lean and orderly cooking station and adhere to health and safety standards.
• Collaborate with the head chef and senior team to contribute ideas for menu development, seasonal specials, and creative presentations.
• Contribute to controlling costs, improving gross profit margins, and other departmental and financial targets.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications

Essential
• A degree or diploma in culinary arts or equivalent experience

Desirable
• Advanced Food Hygiene and Safety Level 3 certification
• Level 3 HACCP Certification
• First Aid Certification

Experience

Essential
 Have 1+ year experience at Senior Chef de Partie level or 3+ years’ experience at Chef de Partie level.
 Track record of working effectively alongside Head Chef in the running of the kitchen.
 Experience in working in a high-volume restaurant or food-outlet.
 A track record of high levels of cleanliness and compliance (knowledge of HACCP).
 Effective communication skills.
Desirable
 Previous experience of cheffing within the tourism industry.

DIMENSIONS AND SCOPE OF JOB

People Management
• To supervise the kitchen team, and various seasonal kitchen roles
• To support the Head Chef in ensuring training is completed in line with the Trust training policy to meet the needs and requirements of the individual and legislation
• To work closely with the VSM F&B and VSS Events to ensure the smooth organisation and delivery of weddings, travel trade groups and private events
• To work closely with the Mackintosh at the Willow Management team to ensure that we provide an excellent visitor experience
• To ensure that all team members are knowledgeable and motivated within their roles and support the business through effective induction, accurate job descriptions and on the job training
• Develop & manage relationships with customers, key suppliers, staff and management within the property

Finance Management
• Support the Head Chef to achieve and maximise budget gross profit and labour costs
• To ensure that all standards of food preparation and service are established and achieved in line with budget.
• To support the Head Chef maintain budgetary records and ensure that all budgets are adhered to, unless exceptional circumstances arise.
• To order all necessary food, dry goods and equipment, obtaining best buys in line with budget objectives

Tools / equipment / systems
• Have a working knowledge of Word and excel
• A sound knowledge of stock control systems
• Knowledge of epos or similar
• Catering equipment including cooking equipment and dishwashers. 

Workplace context
• This role is primarily based at Mackintosh at the Willow but is required to travel occasionally to other locations on Trust business. Note that as the Trust’s properties are often in remote or rural locations where public transport may be limited, the ability and confidence to drive in the UK is desirable.

Application Deadline: Sunday 01/02/2026