Job reference:001499

Salary:£26,500

Closing date:24/10/2025

Department:Food & Beverage

Location:Chester

Employment type:Permanent

Hours Per Week:40

Job Description

Chef de Partie

All of our kitchens are led by our sustainable values. We work hard to source high quality, local and seasonal produce, are making progress towards zero waste kitchens by 2030. We also partner with our suppliers to ensure only ethically sourced palm oil enters our kitchens.

Our venues, all held within our 128 acre site of stunning gardens, will jointly operate a turnover of £12.5 million. As a not for profit, everything we make is ploughed into conservation both here in the UK and around the world. Your role has a huge part to play in delivering our mission.

The Role

Food & Beverage at the zoo includes our award winning British gastro-pub The Oakfield, The Square, as well as three other restaurants, cafes, and coffee houses. Under the direction of our Sous Chef and Lead Chef you will be responsible for your own section, preparing exceptional meals for our many zoo visitors and members.

You will:

• Support the Lead Chef and Sous Chef in helping to produce food to the highest standards which ensures Chester Zoo maintains its world class reputation
• Train and mentor Line Chefs and Temporary team members to ensure effective and efficient work practice
• Work collaboratively with the front of house team to ensure seamless delivery and a world class customer service
• Adhere to health and hygiene policies, standard operating procedures and safe working practices including food safety systems and associated legislation (for example HACCP)
• Under direction from the Lead Chef, ensure correct stock levels on a day-to-day basis, place order requests to be processed and accept deliveries, ensuring they are correct and rotate stock as required
• You’ll be working a variety of shifts on a rota basis, including weekends and Bank Holidays, as well mornings and evenings for events as required.

The Package

• Permanent contract
• £26,500 per annum, based on 40 hours per week.
• 33 days annual leave
• Annual holiday buy/sell scheme, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Staff pass so you and your dependent family can visit the zoo, plus 20 additional complimentary tickets per year for your friends and family
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Free travel to and from work on the X1 bus service from Chester or Ellesmere Port
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions

Our Requirements

• Previous chef experience.
• Able to demonstrate understanding of food types and production methods
• Level 2 Food Safety qualification
• A ‘can do’ and flexible attitude to work
• Good communication skills

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Customer service experience

More about working for us...

We celebrate diversity and we’re building a workplace where everyone belongs, and everyone is included. We place utmost trust in all our employees and give you the encouragement to do great work.

We expect a can-do attitude, but we don’t expect you to do it alone - you’ll be supported every step of the way. You’ll be given the tools you need to do your job well, and you’ll be offered further learning in areas there’s a gap.
As an international conservation charity, we’re focused on continuing to make a difference in conservation.

We are Chester Zoo, and together we are creating a future where nature can survive and thrive.

Please be aware we reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the listed date if we have received a high level of applications. We would recommend that if you do wish to be considered that you complete the application as promptly as possible as shortlisting and interviews may be taking place whilst the advert is live.