Private chef

Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve & Howletts Wild Animal Park; Hythe; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve as a Private Chef and create memorable dining experiences in the heart of a wild animal park. This role not only offers the excitement of cooking in unique locations but also promises a chance for significant professional growth within a conservation-driven organization. You will work independently, providing guests with unforgettable moments through culinary excellence, all while being part of a supportive team passionate about creating extraordinary experiences.

Benefits

Tips received in addition to hourly rate.

Comprehensive training and development opportunities.

Enhanced Sickness, Maternity and Paternity Policies.

Unlimited free entry for you and one guest into both parks.

Exceptional discounts on food, retail, and accommodation.

Numerous retail discounts and access to a counselling line.

Company Pension

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a chef in a similar role required.
• A driving license is essential.

Responsibilities

• Cook & serve seasonal set menu at Giraffe Cottage.
• Prepare African inspired dishes at Giraffe Lodge.

Skills

Cooking

Independent work

Charismatic personality

Job description

Closing date: Friday 6th June 2025

Salary: Up to £16.00 Per Hour DOE, Plus Excellent Benefits

Full-time and Part-time Seasonal/Permanent Roles Available

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve are recruiting Private Chefs to cater for guests dining in Giraffe Lodge’s South African inspired Lapa Restaurant & Giraffe Cottage within the grounds of our exquisite wild animal park.

Giraffe Cottage

Giraffe Cottage is positioned at the top of the African Experience with views sweeping across the Reserve to the coastline. Our Private Chef at Giraffe Cottage will cook & serve a tempting seasonal set menu enabling our guests to sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free break away. The ideal candidate will thrive when working independently, and will have an outgoing & charismatic personality to provide our guests with an unforgettable experience at Giraffe Cottage. Previous experience in a similar role is required. A driving license is essential for this position.

This is a permanent position, guaranteeing a minimum of 20 hours per week - up to 45 hours per week depending on occupancy.

Giraffe Lodge

Dining is a big part of the experience at Giraffe Lodge. As a Private Chef, you will delight our guests with African inspired dishes and braai cooked on the open fire pit in the Lapa, using fresh, locally sourced produce. We are looking for a Chef with a real passion for cooking, who will thrive when working independently, and will have an outgoing & charismatic personality to provide our guests with an unforgettable experience. Previous experience in a similar role is required. A driving license is essential for this position.

This is a Seasonal position, with an expected start date as the 1 April, through to the 1 November 2025. A minimum of 20 hours per week are guaranteed, up to 45 hours per week depending on occupancy.

The location:

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is a world-renowned wild animal park set within 600 acres of Kentish savannah. The Reserve is home to some of the world’s most rare and endangered animals and offers luxury short breaks accommodation, free roaming animal safaris, once-in-a-lifetime animal encounters and exquisite dining experiences. Most importantly, every one of our employees is part of real conservation in action and their efforts have contributed to animals such as black rhino and western lowland gorillas being returned to their natural habitats in collaboration with our partners at The Aspinall Foundation.

Why You Should Join Us

We’re on a mission to create memorable experiences that matter, and our Core Values ‘One Team’, Customer’ and ‘Pride’ are what drive us each day to become part of something extraordinary. As well as walking to work surrounded by the calls of Howler monkeys and the roars from our pride of Lions, you will join a supportive team who are passionate about their place of work.

Be part of the Port Lympne and Howletts family and join our pride.

You can also expect a host of other roarsome benefits including:

• Tips received in addition to hourly rate.
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities, including workshops and e-learning.
• Enhanced Sickness, Maternity and Paternity Policies.
• Unlimited free entry for you and a person of your choice into both of our parks as well as friends and family tickets.
• Exceptional discounts on food, retail and accommodation at our parks.
• Numerous retail discounts and access to a 24-hour counselling line through our Healthy Extras Scheme.
• Company Pension
• And many more length or service-related rewards and Benefits.
  
  

Your adventure awaits

#joinourpride

To apply: If you want to work in an exciting and unique environment where no two days are the same, email your C.V. and covering letter to [e-mail]