Chef / Catering Assistant

Webrecruit (Client Branded); Leeds; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A charity focusing on horticulture in Leeds is seeking a passionate Chef / Catering Assistant to create delicious menus and assist in daily café operations. The ideal candidate will possess a Level 2 food hygiene certificate and have strong cooking and presentation skills. They will ensure food hygiene standards are met and provide excellent customer service. This is an excellent opportunity to develop a career in the catering industry within a friendly team environment, offering a competitive salary and great 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 x salary)

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Skilled in food preparation, cooking and presentation in a café setting.
• Up-to-date knowledge of food hygiene and allergens.
• Willingness to undertake further food safety training.

Responsibilities

• Develop mouth-watering menus using fresh ingredients.
• Assist with the day-to-day operation of the café.
• Ensure food hygiene and health standards are maintained.

Skills

Food preparation

Cooking

Presentation skills

First Aid knowledge

Food hygiene knowledge

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 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.

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 x 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.

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

• 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.