Chef Development Programme

Watergate Bay Hotel; Tregurrian; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free surf lessons

Surfboard & wetsuit hire

Career progression

Staff discounts at restaurants

Team social events

Team support helpline

Job summary

Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall invites applicants to join its Chef Development Programme. This full-time 40-hour week offers hands-on kitchen experience across four kitchens, coaching from Head Chef Chris Eden, and a clear path toward a Level 2 Commis Chef Apprenticeship.

You'll train one day a week at Truro and Penwith College, rotate through every kitchen, and learn techniques from relaxed beach dining to Michelin-listed Zacry’s, while enjoying sea views and staff perks.

Qualifications

• No previous professional kitchen experience required.
• Enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to learn are essential.
• Programme includes rotations across four kitchens and a student placement at Truro and Penwith College.

Responsibilities

• Participate in training and learn from the chefs around you.
• Work under the guidance of the Head Chef in the kitchen team.
• Handle day and evening shifts, including weekends.
• Prepare ingredients and assist with cooking and presentation of dishes.
• Develop knife skills and cooking techniques; learn about ingredients.
• Maintain a clean, tidy workstation with high food-safety standards.
• Move between kitchens to gain broad experience across styles.

Skills

Passion for food

Willingness to learn

Team player

Attention to detail

Calm under pressure

Open to feedback

Local seasonal awareness

Education

Level 2 Commis Chef Apprenticeship (in progress or planned)

Job description

Chef Development Programme – Watergate Bay Hotel | Full-time, 40 hours

Your chef journey starts here.

We’ve partnered with Truro and Penrith College to launch our Chef Development Programme, giving you the opportunity to kick start your chef career under the guidance of our Head Chef, Chris Eden.

A place to take your culinary career to new heights, Watergate Bay offers more than just a kitchen. Here, seasonal ingredients meet contemporary cooking in one extraordinary location.

With one of the UK's most spectacular beach views on your doorstep, plus free surfing lessons and equipment hire from Wavehunters, it's a place that's as rewarding to work in as it is to visit.

Our Chef Development Programme

Our Discovery Programme is 40 hours per week over five working days. You’ll spend one day a week at Truro and Penwith College, with the remaining four days working at the hotel.
Over 12 months, our programme gives aspiring chefs the opportunity to build their skills and experience across all four of our professional kitchens. You’ll also rotate through all four of our kitchens, experiencing different styles of cooking from relaxed beach dining to our Michelin Guide listed Zacry’s.

Along the way, you’ll learn from our experienced chefs, build practical skills and confidence, and work towards a Level 2 Commis Chef Apprenticeship with Truro and Penwith College.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready for a complete career change, this is your chance to turn your love of food into a career.

Access to a personal vehicle is preferable as some shifts may fall outside of usual public transport hours.

What to expect

Stage one starts with a relaxed get to know you call, where we’ll chat about you, your experience and what you’d like to get from the programme.

In stage two, you’ll spend time in one of our kitchens, taking on two simple challenges: cooking a dish to a brief and creating something of your own. It’s a chance to meet the team, get a feel for life at Watergate Bay and share your passion for good food.

Successful candidates will then join our core team, with plenty of opportunities to grow, enjoy team perks and have fun along the way.

Our kitchens

The Beach Hut is all about relaxed beach dining, warm welcomes and great local produce. Our seasonal menu puts a fresh spin on classic favourites, creating the perfect post surf refuel with sustainability at its heart.

From cosy armchairs to horizon hugging tables, The Living Space is where guests come to meet, eat and settle in. At the heart of the hotel, our kitchen serves everything from burgers and seasonal platter, keeping things varied, relaxed and ready for whatever the day brings.

Zacry’s is where we think global and source local. A Michelin Guide listed restaurant, this is where the best of Cornwall’s cuisine takes centre stage. With seasonal menus, local produce and spectacular Atlantic views, you’ll learn from an experienced team whilst developing your skills in an ambitious, creative kitchen.

Our CPU Kitchen is our central hub supporting our wider food and beverage operations. Here, we prepare ingredients, support breakfast service and manages deliveries, whilst maintaining high standards of cleanliness, food safety and waste management.

What we’re looking for

• A genuine passion for good food and an interest in where ingredients come from
• A strong desire to become a chef and build a career in the kitchen
• Curiosity and a willingness to learn new skills and try new things
• A positive, hardworking attitude and the ability to get stuck in
• Good attention to detail and pride in doing things well
• The ability to stay calm, focused and organised in a busy kitchen
• An open attitude to feedback and a real desire to keep improving
• An appreciation for quality, seasonal and local produce

No previous professional kitchen experience is necessary. What matters most is your enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to learn.

What you’ll be doing

• Taking part in your training and making the most of every opportunity to learn from the chefs around you
• Working as part of our wider kitchen team under the guidance of our Head Chef
• Working a combination of day and evening shifts, including weekends
• Preparing ingredients and assisting with the preparation, cooking and presentation of dishes
• Learning and developing your knife skills, cooking techniques and knowledge of ingredients
• Keeping your work area clean, tidy and organised, with a strong focus on food safety and hygiene
• Moving between our kitchens to gain a broad range of experience and discover different styles of cooking
• Listening to feedback, asking questions and actively looking for ways to improve
• Taking pride in your work and continually developing your skills

What we’ll offer you

• A relaxed, professional place to work in a beautiful location – at one of the UK’s most striking beaches
• Free surf lessons, surfboards and wetsuits hire from Wavehunters
• A welcoming team of likeminds, eager to support and encourage each other
• Excellent career prospects in an ever-expanding organisation
• Special rates for you and your friends and family to stay at the hotel
• Discounts for you and your friends and family at our restaurants
• Team social events throughout the year
• Team assistance scheme – a dedicated helpline for support & advice on topics from mental health through to managing your finances

Our commitment to our staff is reflected in our exceptional working environment – one that promotes work-life balance, professional development, and a positive culture where everyone is heard and supported, always.

Life at Watergate Bay Hotel isn’t just a job — it’s a chance to help create something that really matters. Now and for generations to come.