We are looking for a talented chef to cook and present healthy, nutritious and attractive looking food, including: light lunches, sophisticated dinner party dishes, afternoon tea items, snacks and canapes for a family based in Oxforshire.
The chef must have a ride ranging repertoire, including the ability to cook styles which incorporate modern British with classic French undertones, and a mixture of Mediterranean, Asian, Japanese, Italian, vegetarian and Pacific Rim influences.
It is also extremely important that the chef is happy presenting food in different styles, including: individually plated, on salvers (for formal, butler-style banquet parties) through to big format dishes suited for a buffet table.
SALARY
Salary Circa £70,000
LOCATION
Oxfordshire & Travel
POSITION
Chef (UK based but with Travel)
TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD
Family, Mansion, Professional / Philanthropist, Rural Location
Roles and Responsibilities
- The family do enjoy afternoon teas – so the chef must relish preparing high-quality items, from scones, dainty sandwiches, pastries and biscuits, through to cutting cakes,
- Preparation of picnics and lunches for the Principals’ river boats (this can be 2/4/8 through to 30 pax, while being able to then work in confined galley space),
- Some oversight for shooting lunches and 11’s (which are generally produced by other staff),
- Preparation of cricket match lunches and afternoon teas (which requires an element of costing for accounts/pricing per person),
- During quieter times, the chef will prepare and produce products for the village shop, along with Christmas hampers and items which can be given as gifts to the family’s guests,
- The chef will be required to source quality products, using farm-shops, supermarkets, professional restaurant suppliers, town-markets (usually when in France & Henley-on-Thames), using local producers, to source local game and seasonal items,
- Chefs must work methodically, and in a forensic style, being neatly, clean, organised and always hygienic. It is worth noting that the Principals will sometimes take a light lunch/dinner eating at the kitchen table – whereupon they will watch the chef at work!
- It is important that the chef runs/manages their kitchen very methodically
- The chef will plan and discuss menus with the Principals in advance for events, while everyday menus will often be discussed with the Principals each day,
- The chef will be responsible for keeping their kitchen, including cupboards, drawers and large and small equipment well maintained and spotlessly clean,
- The chef will be required to keep fridges and chill rooms spotlessly clean and produce and dry stores properly rotated and labelled,
- The chef must be hands on, and able to liaise with the Head Gardener, advising on what home-grown produce would be best used in the house, village shop or for the making of hampers,
- To be confident, and able to work as part of a travelling team, working in different countries, and able to cook meals and dishes which are suitable to that country and its climate,
- Work closely with the Butler on service orders, guest dietary requirements and timings/numbers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To be able to cater any specified dietary requirements for the family and guests with no fuss or drama (such information is normally provided by the Principal’s PA well in advance).
Accommodation
Lovely self contained accommodation is provided, near to the principal's estate - different options are available to suit the employee's personal requirements.
An annual utility allowance is also provided .
Entry Requirements
- Excellent checkable references are required,
- An Enhanced DBS would must be secured (if not already held),a nd
- Candidates must be calm and able to adapt quickly, changing guest numbers, or menus, sometimes at the last minute.
