Kitchen Assistant Manager

 Job Description

EarthSpirit: Kitchen Assistant Manager (live-in optional)


The EarthSpirit Centre is a busy, award-winning venue, situated five miles to the south of Glastonbury (TA11 6PE).  You will be assisting the new kitchen manager with the administration of running the kitchen under their direction. 

You don’t work from a set menu but rather create delicious vegetarian food from scratch each day – depending on what’s seasonally available and the likes of the groups who come to the centre. Every day is different.  Please see our website: earthspirit-centre.co.uk for more about what we do and who we are. 

As the kitchen’s Assistant Manager you’ll be preparing, serving, and occasionally cleaning away meals for the attending groups and supervising kitchen helpers. The role includes the organisation of the department and occasional liaising with groups, maintaining health and safety procedures, and ordering and taking delivery of food. Hours are flexible to be arranged with the Kitchen Manager. Some days may involve split shifts and include some weekend work and irregular hours. 

You will be capable of working under pressure, and to be quick, organised, efficient and consistent in your food preparation. You have experience in cooking for large groups 40 plus. The hours will average 32 hours per week over the course of the year as this is a seasonal business. Additional hours may be required in particular during busy periods and when the kitchen manager is away when your role will be to cover for the kitchen manager. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has some managerial experience but wants to gain more experience to lead the kitchen that is consistently singled out by praise by the group who visit us.

Specific Duties include:  

  • Assisting with Health and Safety procedures/monitoring, ensuring high standards are met
  • Meal planning and cooking
  • Leading the kitchen (chef); acting as a kitchen assistant/support where another chef is leading, cooking for small and large groups
  • Running the kitchen logs, ordering, stock checks, taking deliveries and organising rotas in conjunction and as determined by and in support of the kitchen manager
  • Attending meetings when requested to, or in replacement of, the kitchen manager
  • Replenishing self-catered food and drinks for groups
  • Ensuring the smooth running of the kitchen with the kitchen manager
  • Ensuring effective team work with the kitchen staff and casuals, supporting others working in the kitchen and catering areas including volunteers.
  • Liasing with groups ahead of their arrival at EarthSpirit and occasionally afterwards
  • Experience of providing for various dietary requirements and allergies.
  • Occasionally covering Point of Contact duties when not running the kitchen.

 Required qualifications & experience:  

Food Hygiene - Level 3 (can be updated with us)

Has worked in a commercial kitchen, in supervisory or management role

Full UK Driving licence or equivalent 

Fluency in English language (proficient in speaking and writing) 

What we offer 

- £competitive salary and benefits plus allocated accommodation for your use on-site (not including bills – to be paid by yourself), occasional use of company car by arrangement, meals when working); any benefits as outlined in the employee handbook 

- Typically 25-40 hrs pw averaged but flexible as to when worked. This includes weekends and bank holidays and occasional cover for the kitchen manager. 

- Pro rata paid holiday per year (based on 28 days for a 40 hrs week) – this includes days in respect of the named bank holidays whether worked or lieu according to business needs. 

- Statutory Sick Pay & Workplace Pension 

- Staff annual bonus (subject to if it is awarded) after 12 months service 

- Spa nights (complimentary) 

- Free food (vegetarian) when cooking for our guests 

- Alternative Health Funds to support complimentary therapies for specific issues faced by staff (open to staff after 6 months service).