Jobs at Athelhampton House & Gardens

Athelhampton House & Gardens is one of Dorset's leading visitor attractions, welcoming over 30,000 visitors each year to our historic house, award winning gardens, restaurant and events programme.

We are looking for a Trainee Chef / Apprentice Chef / Junior Chef to join our friendly kitchen team.

This is an opportunity to learn a profession, develop practical skills and build a long term career in hospitality.

 

Whether you are leaving school, looking for your first full time role, or considering a change in direction, we would like to hear from you.

Previous kitchen experience is not essential. What matters most is a genuine interest in food, a willingness to learn and the ability to work hard as part of a team.

Working alongside our experienced chefs, you will gain hands on experience preparing and serving food in a busy professional kitchen. Training will be provided through day to day work and mentoring, and for candidates who wish to pursue formal qualifications we can support an apprenticeship programme leading to recognised catering qualifications.

The Role :- You will assist with the preparation and service of food for our popular restaurant, which serves visitors throughout the year.

Your duties will include:

• Preparing ingredients and assisting with food preparation

• Helping to prepare light lunches, daily specials and cooked meals

• Learning food presentation and kitchen organisation

• Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food hygiene

• Assisting with washing up and kitchen porter duties when required

• Supporting the wider kitchen team during busy periods

• Contributing ideas and developing your culinary skills

 

What we are looking for:

• A keen interest in food and cooking

• A positive attitude and willingness to learn

• Good timekeeping and reliability

• The ability to work well within a team

• Pride in your work and attention to detail

• A friendly and professional approach

 

Hours:-  One of the attractions of this role is that it offers mainly daytime working hours, typically 9.00am to 5.00pm, something that is increasingly rare within the hospitality industry.

The role does include weekend working and some bank holidays as part of a rota, reflecting the opening hours of the visitor attraction.

Why Choose Hospitality? Hospitality is one of the few industries where practical skills, craftsmanship and human interaction remain at the heart of the role. While technology continues to change many workplaces, the ability to prepare great food, work as part of a team and create enjoyable experiences for guests remains highly valued.

This position offers the opportunity to develop skills that are likely to remain useful throughout your career, while learning in a unique and historic environment.

What We Offer

• Full training and support

• Opportunity to undertake a recognised apprenticeship

• Mainly daytime working hours

• Staff discounts

• A friendly and supportive working environment

• Opportunities for progression and development

• The chance to work within one of Dorset's most beautiful historic estates

If you are enthusiastic about food and would like to begin a career in catering, we would be delighted to hear from you.

To apply, please send a message covering letter explaining why you are interested in the role.