Casual Peripatetic Lead Chef

Field Studies Council; Taunton (MA); Remote; USD 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided

Travel costs covered

Flexible casual work

Job summary

Field Studies Council is seeking a Casual Peripatetic Lead Chef to manage catering operations at learning locations across the UK. You will combine hands-on cooking with kitchen leadership, delivering nutritious and sustainable meals for up to 160 visitors across diverse diets.

The role offers travel opportunities, accommodation provided when away from home, and pre-agreed travel costs covered. You’ll join a charity focused on outdoor learning and environmental education.

Qualifications

• Experience managing or supervising catering operations.
• Knowledge of HACCP and Safer Food Better Business.
• Experience catering for large groups or schools.
• Strong leadership, organisation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead hospitality teams to deliver meals for up to 160 visitors.
• Create nutritious, sustainable menus accommodating diverse diets.
• Oversee kitchen operations, prep, cooking and hygiene standards.

Skills

Team leadership

Catering management

HACCP knowledge

Budget management

Dietary accommodations

Travel flexibility

Education

Catering qualification

Job description

Do you love creating healthy, delicious, and sustainable meals?

Join Field Studies Council as a Casual Peripatetic Lead Chef and combine your passion for great food with the opportunity to travel across the UK

Why you’ll love working with us:

• Get paid to travel and work at our beautiful Field Studies Council locations across the UK
• Flexible casual work with no obligation to accept assignments
• £16.12 to £17.11 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience
• Accommodation provided when working away from your home area
• Reasonable pre-agreed travel costs covered
• Work with welcoming teams in unique locations from coast to countryside
• Fixed mealtimes and planned menus for improved work-life balance
• No late-night finishes, shifts are normally completed by 8pm
• Make a real difference by supporting an environmental education charity

Love where you work!

At the Field Studies Council we promise to get people outdoors, provide high quality learning and encourage positive wellbeing. We're all about creating outdoor learning experiences and opportunities that inspire everyone to be curious, knowledgeable, passionate and caring about the environment.

From dramatic coastlines, historic estates and national parks, our centres are located in some of the UK's most inspiring environments. Every year, thousands of young people and adults visit us to discover and connect with the natural world, and great food is a big part of making their experience special.

What you’ll be doing

As a Casual Peripatetic Lead Chef, you'll take responsibility for the catering operation at the learning location where you're working. Combining hands-on cooking with kitchen leadership, you'll lead hospitality teams to deliver memorable meals for up to 160 visitors.

You'll be creating nutritious, sustainable menus that cater for a wide range of diverse diets and allergens, including, but not limited to vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free, and religious or cultural options.

Typical day:

• Breakfast: 7-11am
• Dinner: 3-8pm
• Set menus with 2-3 options per meal
• A mix of prep, cooking, and kitchen leadership
• Leading a small team of staff to maintain high standards of hygiene and food safety

We're proud to have achieved the Soil Association Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award, recognising our commitment to healthy, sustainable meals.

Keen to know more?

Watch this video to learn more about a day in the life of a Chef at the Field Studies Council.

Please view the vacancy pack for further details on the full responsibilities of this role.

Where you’ll be based

This is a truly

flexible, travelling role with no fixed work base. You'll be offered assignments on an ad hoc and occasional 'relief' basis at our beautiful Field Studies Council learning locations throughout the UK as business needs arise, and you can choose whether to accept or decline each opportunity.

When working away from your home area, accommodation will be provided and reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses will be covered.

Who we’re looking for

We're looking for experienced chefs who thrive in a busy environment and enjoy leading others to deliver excellent service.

You’ll need:

• Catering experience which includes management or supervisory responsibilities.
• A catering qualification or relevant vocational experience.
• Experience of stock control, ordering and budget management.
• Knowledge of food safety systems, including HACCP and Safer Food Better Business.
• Experience catering for large groups, schools, residential settings or similar environments.
• Strong leadership, organisation and communication skills.
• A flexible approach and willingness to travel and work across different locations.

If you're passionate about food, enjoy variety in your work, and want to use your skills to support meaningful outdoor learning experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

If you have any queries regarding this vacancy, please call Chris Wilkinson (Catering & Hospitality Development Manager) on 07771376884

Applications will be considered on arrival

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Interviews are scheduled to take place online on a rolling basis

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.