Job Description
Job title: Agency Chef
Location: Reading
Contract type: Temp
Starting on: July 2026
Rate of pay: Mon- Fri 15.00 to 22.00 + Holiday pay per hour
Weekends 15.00 to 32.00 per hour + Holiday pay per hour
Are you wanting to choose the hours you work and be paid for every hour you work?
Do you enjoy working in a variety of different kitchens gaining experience in all sectors of our industry?
If the answer is yes, then we would love to hear from you.
The role:
You will be working for one of the UK's leading recruitment agencies providing chefs cover to a variety of catering and hospitality business. Our clients are: Hotels, Golf clubs, Sporting Venues, Private clubs, Garden centres, Retirement villages, Schools, Colleges, Universities, Pubs, and Restaurants along with many other catering and hospitality venues. As a chef, you will work in different venues providing vital cover to ensure that our clients can provide a great food offer to their customers.
Benefits:
Paid weekly
Hourly Pay
Flexible working hours
Free meals whilst on duty
Free Parking available
Opportunities to gain experience in diverse venues
Training and development available
Key information:
Immediate Start
Choose your working days and we will match you with suitable shifts
Work Monday to Friday or just weekends - The choice is yours.
Variety of shift patterns available for full time and part time hours
Key responsibilities include:
Knowledge and ability to independently and effectively run your section, for example, meat, fish, vegetables, pastry, butchery, sauces, grill, starches, starters, fry, pantry and roast
The ability to supervise, engage and teach Commis Chefs and Kitchen Assistants
The ability to delegate tasks appropriately
Ability to work without close supervision and deliver quality work
Strong ability to produce good quality food and first-rate culinary skills
As a Chef you will be/have:
Strong attention to detail
Enthusiasm and willingness to develop your own skills and knowledge, plus those around you
Flexible and have a willingness to embrace new ideas and processes
Good team management skills
Team player qualities and the ability to work well with staff at all levels in the kitchen
Positive and approachable manner
Able to thrive in a fast-paced kitchen
A cool/calm/level head when under pressure and during a busy service
In the care sector need a basic awareness of allergens, special diets, portion control and recipe costings, under guidance from the Sous Chef or Head Chef
Qualifications/Licences/Certifications/Experience
City & Guilds 706/1 or 706/2 in Catering
NVQ/SVQ Level 2 (or equivalent)
Level 1 and 2 Food Safety Awards
Minimum 1 year's relevant experience
Awareness of manual handling techniques
Awareness of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) and chemical safety
Experience of kitchen equipment including different knives
Understandable level of English spoken and written
Any health and safety and food hygiene courses
Desired but not necessary
Level 2 Health and Safety in the Workplace Award
Level 3 Food Safety Awards
If you've got what it takes to be our next Agency Chef, then don't hesitate to apply today!
Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.
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