Restaurant Chefs

Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve & Howletts Wild Animal Park; Hythe; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned hospitality and wildlife park in Kent is seeking Restaurant Chefs for full-time and part-time roles. Join a passionate team, managing a seasonal menu with local ingredients. Responsibilities include following recipes, managing kitchen inventory, and maintaining cleanliness. This position offers up to £15.00 per hour with various benefits, including service charge and training opportunities.

Benefits

Service Charge (TRONC)

28 days annual leave

Training and development opportunities

Enhanced Sickness Policies

Unlimited free entry to parks

Discounts on food and accommodation

Company Pension

Qualifications

• Previous experience of working within a fast-paced kitchen is essential.

Responsibilities

• Ensure section is set following recipes and specifications.
• Complete ordering for the section at end of service.
• Clean and close down the kitchen at end of service.
• Manage stock and rotation.
• Assist with prep, cooking, and cleaning tasks.

Skills

Experience in fast-paced kitchen

Ability to work independently

Clear instruction to staff

Job description

Closing date: 10th November 2025

Salary: Up to £15.00 Per Hour DOE, Plus Service Charge & Desirable Benefits

Seasonal & Permanent Positions Available

Full-time and Part-time Roles

At Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve, we are looking to expand our team of Chefs within our beautiful, historic hotel & Garden Room Restaurant, Bear Lodge Restaurant & Babydolls Wood-Fired Pizza Restaurant.

Our seasonal changing menu includes fresh and robust flavours, championing local ingredients and produce from local suppliers, and our kitchen garden. Whether our guests are in the mood for classic family favourites, authentic Italian cuisine or something a little more fancy for a special evening, Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve offers dining choices for all occasions in the heart of the Kent countryside.

As a Restaurant Chef Will Be Responsible For

• Ensuring your section is set and that you are following set recipes and specifications on dishes and functions.
• Ensuring all ordering for your section is completed at end of service and mise en place is written for following day.
• Ensure the kitchen is cleaned and closed down at end of service, ensuring your section fridge is tidy and organised and also ensuring fridges are labelled correctly.
• Managing stock and rotation.
• Assist the kitchen with prep, cooking, and cleaning tasks, along with the upkeep of the kitchen.
• Previous experience of working within a fast-paced kitchen will be essential and you will need to be confident working on your own and able to give clear instructions to supporting staff.

Contract Details

Various positions available, including full-time and part-time positions. Working hours are up to 45 hours per week depending on occupancy, with job share considered. Permanent and seasonal positions available. Seasonal positions are through to the 22 Feb 2026, with a possibility of extension dependant on the business needs.

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 the 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.

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

• Service Charge (TRONC) in additional to salary.
• 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, pro-rata to start date and working hours, rising with length of service
• 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]