Commis Chef - Mediterranean Restaurant

Hoar Cross Hall Ltd; Stafford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free daily staff meals

Staff discounts on stays and spa days

Pension scheme

Free parking

Job summary

Hoar Cross Hall Ltd seeks a passionate Commis Chef to join the opening brigade of a brand-new Mediterranean restaurant at Hiddenwell, Staffordshire. You will learn basics of a high‑standard kitchen, work with experienced chefs and progress as the team develops the menu and service.

This is a 40‑hour week, full-time role in a historic estate setting. You'll gain hands-on experience across sections, practice hygiene standards, and contribute to delivering Mediterranean dishes with seasonal

Qualifications

• Previous kitchen experience or a culinary qualification would be helpful.
• Attitude, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
• Ability to work as part of a brigade and follow instructions.

Responsibilities

• Learn to prepare, cook and present dishes with guidance from the brigade.
• Develop knife and preparation skills and learn across kitchen sections.
• Support the team during service and help maintain a clean, well‑organised station.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Willingness to learn

Education

Culinary qualification

Job description

Commis Chef – Mediterranean Restaurant

Location: Hoar Cross Hall, Staffordshire

Annual salary: £28,866.15 per annum

Start your culinary career somewhere you can really develop

We’re looking for an enthusiastic Commis Chef to join the opening brigade of our brand-new 60-coverMediterranean restaurant at Hiddenwell

This is an exciting opportunity to learn from experienced chefs, develop your skills across different areas of the kitchen and be part of creating a new restaurant from day one

Our ambition is to achieve and consistently maintain a minimum Two AA Rosette standard, serving Mediterranean-inspired food that celebrates fantastic seasonal produce, bold flavours, traditionalinfluences and modern techniques

You don’t need to know everything from day one. What matters to us is your attitude, enthusiasm, curiosity and genuine passion for food

The Role

As our Commis Chef, you’ll work alongside our Chef de Parties and senior kitchen team, learning how a high-quality professional kitchen operates while developing the skills you need to progress your culinary career

You’ll help prepare, cook and present dishes, learn our recipes and ingredients and gradually take on more responsibility as your confidence and experience grow

And because you’ll be joining us before we open, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the restaurant, menu and kitchen alongside the rest of the brigade from the very beginning

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll be learning every day, including:

• Preparing fresh ingredients and completing mise en place
• Developing your knife and preparation skills
• Learning to work with fish, meat, vegetables, pasta, grains, pulses, sauces and more
• Developing your cooking, seasoning, plating and presentation skills
• Following recipes and dish specifications accurately
• Supporting your Chef de Partie during preparation and service
• Keeping your section clean, organised and properly stocked
• Learning excellent portion control and kitchen organisation
• Following food hygiene, HACCP and allergen procedures
• Correctly labelling, dating, storing and rotating ingredients
• Helping minimise food waste and treating ingredients with care
• Supporting other sections of the brigade during busy services
• Taking part in menu tastings, training and service rehearsals

As your skills develop, you’ll have opportunities to work across different sections and take on greater responsibility during service

Learn Your Craft

This role is designed to give you an excellent foundation for a successful career as a chef

Working alongside experienced members of the brigade, you could develop your skills across:

• Larder and preparation
• Fish and meat
• Stocks, sauces, soups and purées
• Pasta, grains and vegetables
• Garnish
• Basic butchery
• Pastry and desserts
• Plating and presentation
• Restaurant service

We want you to ask questions, taste ingredients, practise techniques and learn from the chefs around you

You’ll also develop your knowledge of Mediterranean ingredients, flavours and cooking techniques while learning what it takes to deliver food consistently at a minimum Two AA Rosette standard

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who genuinely wants to learn and develop as a chef

You’ll be:

• Passionate about food and interested in developing your culinary career
• Enthusiastic, curious and willing to learn
• Reliable and ready to contribute as part of the brigade
• Organised and able to follow instructions carefully
• Comfortable working in a busy kitchen environment
• Positive about feedback and keen to improve
• Committed to excellent food hygiene and allergen standards
• A supportive team player who is willing to help others
• Proud of producing work to a high standard

Previous kitchen experience or a culinary qualification would be helpful, but attitude, potential and a genuine desire to develop are just as important to us

Be Part of the Opening Brigade

You won’t simply be joining an established kitchen – you’ll help open it

You’ll take part in pre-opening training, menu tastings and service rehearsals, learning our dishes, ingredients, kitchen sections and standards before we welcome our first guests

It’s an opportunity to help establish the culture and standards of a new restaurant and then see how both the restaurant – and your own career – develop

Your Development

We want this role to be the beginning of something

As your knowledge, skills and confidence grow, we’ll support you in taking on more responsibility and gaining experience across different sections of the kitchen

Our aim is to help you develop towards becoming a confident Demi Chef de Partie and, ultimately, Chef de Partie

At Hiddenwell, our values of Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Respect and Commitment guide how we work. We want people who take pride in what they do, support the people around them and are excited to keep learning

Additional Information

• Full-time position – 40 hours per week
• Working 5/7 days per week including weekends and bank holidays
• Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship now or at any point in the future for this role.
• Salary: £28,866.15 per annum

Why Join Us

• Work in a picturesque, historic estate with a focus on luxury and high standards in hospitality
• Complimentary Spa Day on work anniversaries at any of our company spas
• Free meal provided daily through our staff canteen
• Complimentary use of leisure and spa facilities
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program
• 30% discount on overnight stays and spa days
• Discounts on food, drink and retail across our venues
• Pension scheme
• Free Parking
• Refer-a-Friend scheme
• Excellent Induction and training programme
• Perkbox Online benefits and discounts
• On-line Doctor support (appointments/prescriptions)
• A fun, supportive and inclusive work environment with loads of development opportunities

People say you can’t choose your family, well we choose you to be part of ours