Chef / Catering Assistant

Perennial; Greater London; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization in Leeds is seeking a passionate Chef / Catering Assistant to develop exciting menus and deliver excellent service in their café. This full-time position involves food preparation, adherence to hygiene standards, and working in a supportive team environment. The ideal candidate will have a Level 2 food hygiene certificate and a keen interest in the catering industry. This role offers a salary of circa £24,000, 25 days holiday, and other benefits.

Benefits

Salary of circa £24,000 per annum

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension: matching contributions up to 7%

Sick Pay

Death in Service Benefit (3× salary)

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Skilled in food preparation, cooking and presentation in a café setting.
• Working knowledge of First Aid in the workplace.
• Up-to-date knowledge of food hygiene and allergens.
• Familiarity with the Food Standards Agency requirements.
• Willingness to undertake further food safety training.

Responsibilities

• Develop menus using fresh ingredients for customers.
• Assist with the day-to-day operation of the café.
• Ensure food hygiene and health and safety standards are upheld.

Skills

Food preparation

Cooking

Food presentation

Knowledge of dietary requirements

Customer service

Education

Level 2 food hygiene certificate

Job description

Chef / Catering Assistant

Leeds, West Yorkshire

About Us

Perennial is a charity dedicated to helping people in horticulture. Together with our network of partners, we provide free support, information, advice, financial assistance and services for horticulturalists and their loved ones experiencing illness, disability, bereavement, family breakdown and financial difficulties.

We have a real focus on improving the health and well-being outcomes of people working in horticulture and have an ambitious preventative strategy to create better futures for people working in horticulture.

York Gate

York Gate is a vibrant, beautiful arts and crafts garden, café, plant nursery and shop in Adel, Leeds. Due to an expansion, we are now open all week long and are welcoming more and more visitors every day.

We are now seeking a Chef / Catering Assistant to join our growing York Gate team on a permanent, full‑time basis, working 37.5 hours per week, Wednesday to Sunday and on Bank Holidays.

Benefits

• Salary of circa £24,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension: matching contributions up to 7%
• Sick Pay
• Death in Service Benefit (3 × salary)
• Family‑friendly policies, including buying extra (unpaid) leave or time off for dependants

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who is passionate about food, with a Level 2 food hygiene certificate, looking to develop their career in the catering industry and work in a friendly and supportive team.

Within our York Gate café, we pride ourselves on using fresh, local produce and reflecting the seasons with our menus. Overlooking our stunning new sunken Mediterranean garden, you will work in a beautiful environment which also promotes health through its delicious homemade food.

If you could see yourself delivering excellent service within our café, this is the perfect time to take the next step in your culinary career and join our team!

The Role

As our Chef / Catering Assistant, you will use our fresh ingredients to develop mouth‑watering menus for our customers.

Alongside our friendly kitchen team, you will assist with the day‑to‑day operation of our café and demonstrate exceptional service. You will be aware of how to cater for those with dietary requirements, ensure that our food hygiene and health and safety standards are constantly being upheld, and eventually earn a First Aid at Work Certificate.

Being friendly yet professional, you will assist visitors, undertake their financial transactions, and make sure that they have a great experience with us.

About You

To be considered as our Chef / Catering Assistant, you will need:

• To be skilled in food preparation, cooking and presentation in a café setting
• Working knowledge of First Aid in the workplace
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of food hygiene and allergens
• Familiarity with the requirements of the Food Standards Agency
• A willingness to undertake further food safety training
• At a minimum, a Level 2 food hygiene certificate

The closing date for this role is 31st January 2026.

Other organisations might call this role Kitchen Assistant, Cook, Chef, Commis Chef, Chef de Partie, or Café Chef.

Webrecruit and Perennial are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

So, if you think you would be a good fit as our Chef / Catering Assistant, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.