Chef de Partie

The Retreat Elcot Park; Newbury; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Generous tronc (£4-6k/yr) starting day

28 days holiday incl. Bank Holidays +

Job summary

The Retreat, Elcot Park in West Berkshire is seeking a highly motivated Chef de Partie to join our kitchen team on a full-time basis. You’ll work with the Head Chef to deliver a varied Signet menu, manage mise en place, and mentor junior staff, while upholding our high standards of food and service.

You’ll follow recipe cards, control portions, and ensure plates are presented beautifully. A supportive team and opportunities for development are on offer.

Qualifications

• Experience in a professional kitchen is essential.
• You’ll work closely with Head Chef and Sous Chef to deliver high standards.

Responsibilities

• Work with Head Chef to create the Signet menu and ensure consistency.
• Prepare mise en place, organise the section, and manage portion control.
• Follow recipe cards, maintain plating standards and minimize waste.
• Support and mentor Commis Chefs and help them grow.
• Raise any shortages or issues to the Sous or Head Chef promptly.
• Be part of a respectful, collaborative team with a strong work ethic.
• Pursue training and development opportunities to enhance skills.
• Maintain hygiene and safety procedures and keep records up to date.
• Adapt to a rota with some weekend work while maintaining work-life balance.

Skills

Kitchen teamwork

Mise en place

Food hygiene

Training others

Flexibility

Job description

We are looking for a highly motivated professional full-timeChef de Partie to join our Kitchen team at The Retreat, Elcot Park located in West Berkshire.

Welcome to The Retreat at Elcot Park – a beautifully refurbished country house hotel with 55 stylish rooms, buzzing restaurants, a luxe spa and guests who love great food and great service. We can offer free parking on-site to our teams, as well as a generous Tronc of about £4-6k per year, paid monthly with your normal pay, (if you work full time, pro rata amount for part-time) from your first day at work! Please note advertised salary is inclusive of Tronc payments.

What you’ll get up to:

• Work your magic in the kitchen — you’ll work alongside our Head Chef and wider kitchen team to create a brilliant, varied Signet menu.
• Get your section ship-shape — prep, organise and nail your mise en place, with plenty of support and guidance from the Sous and Head Chef.
• Follow the recipe, but make it brilliant — stick to our recipe cards, get your quantities spot on and help us keep waste to a minimum. Good food and good sense go hand in hand.
• Make every plate count — from the garnish to the portion size, make sure every dish arrives at the pass looking as good as it tastes and exactly as our guests expect.
• Be a kitchen champion — help our Commis Chefs find their feet, sharing your knowledge, giving them encouragement and helping them grow through their training.
• Speak up early — if you can see something running short or a problem brewing, let the Sous or Head Chef know. No one likes a last-minute kitchen plot twist.
• Be part of a great team — help create a kitchen where everyone is treated with respect, supported to do their best and feels comfortable being themselves.
• Keep learning — get stuck into training and development opportunities that help you sharpen your skills, learn new things and become an even better Chef.
• Keep things safe and spotless — follow all our food hygiene, health and safety procedures and make sure the important stuff is recorded properly. Because great kitchens need great standards too.
• Be happy working on a rota basis, with some weekend work- whilst maintaining a good work-life balance!

What You’ll Get from Us

Working with The Signet Collection means joining a group that genuinely cares about people — not just their output, but their whole wellbeing, growth, and joy at work. You’ll be part of a creative, ambitious team determined to redefine British boutique hospitality one brilliant guest (and team member) experience at a time.

Plus:

• A good hourly rate of pay, plus generous tronc to top up your monthly earnings.
• Discounted rates across our restaurants and hotels for you, family and friends to enjoy.
• Stream access up to 40% of your pay before pay date, and save directly from your salary.
• Your Wellbeing Hub - powered by Hospitality Action, from an 24/7 employee assistance programme, to gym classes, to nutritious recipes, to clinical counselling, we want you feel cared for at each step.
• Access personalised training, clear career paths and genuine opportunities for your development.- all visible through our brilliant team comms and learning platform, All Gravy
• 28 days’ holiday(including Bank Holidays)+ your birthday off
• Team recognition programme to celebrate your achievements.
• Referral bonus scheme for recommending top talent - earn up to £1000.
• Flexible scheduling- no split shifts!
• Complimentary team meals on shift.
• Long Service Awards - dinners for two with all the trimmings, complimentary room stays with breakfast and dinner, theatre tickets to the West End, and so much more.
• Industry supplier trips and visits, as well as access to masterclasses and workshops.
• Flexibility to move across the Signet group, as you develop with us.

So, if you are dedicated to making each and every guest experience unequivocally brilliant, and have what it takes, we would love to meet you!