Sous Chef at River Cottage

Join Our Team

At River Cottage, we’re not just a team – we’re a family. We’re on the lookout for a talented, personable, and ever-curious chef who believes in the importance of provenance, seasonality, and sustainability in great cooking. If you’re passionate about teaching, cooking, and creating unforgettable experiences for our guests, then we want to hear from you!

About the Role

As our Sous Chef and Tutor, you’ll play a key role in our busy kitchen, where no two days are ever the same. You’ll be creating inventive multi-course menus for events, cooking for our guests, and teaching hands-on cookery courses.

Menu Creation: Plan and execute exciting menus based on the seasonal produce from our farm and local suppliers.

Teaching: Share your expertise by leading cookery courses and giving cooking demonstrations.

Team Collaboration: Work closely with our Head Chef, Chiara, to lead a small, dynamic kitchen team. You’ll help manage day-to-day operations, ordering, and supplier communication.

Farm-Focused Cooking: We grow and rear most of our food on-site, so you’ll work with fresh, in-season ingredients that change daily.

You’ll mostly work day shifts, with just one or two evening shifts a week. No workday will ever feel the same here!

Who You’ll Be Working With

You’ll join a talented team of chefs and support staff who share a passion for great food and ethical sourcing. You’ll be under the guidance of Chiara, our Head Chef, and collaborate with a small team of six skilled kitchen staff. Together, we aim to create outstanding food while having fun and embracing the challenges of a unique work environment.

Who We’re Looking For

• Passion: You must have a love for cooking and teaching others.
• Experience: While teaching experience is not essential, we are looking for someone who is eager to share their knowledge and inspire others.
• Creativity: The ability to work with seasonal ingredients and adapt menus to whatever is available from our farm and local suppliers.
• Team Player: You’ll need to work well within a close-knit team and collaborate across departments to create exceptional experiences.

What We Offer

At River Cottage, you’ll be part of a multi-faceted, fun, and supportive environment. In addition to competitive pay, we offer:

• Career Growth: Opportunities to develop new skills such as butchery, foraging, fermenting, fire cooking, and more.
• Training & Development: Access to free places on our cookery and lifestyle courses.
• Discounts: Staff discounts for events, courses, and shop items.
• Supportive Team: A chance to work alongside experienced chefs and renowned contributors in a friendly, dynamic kitchen.
• Varied Work: No two days are ever the same, from preparing feasts for events to sometimes chasing an escapee pig around the farm!

How to Apply

If this sounds like the perfect role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Send us a few lines about yourself, your passion for cooking, and why you want to work with us at careers@rivercottage.net or get in touch via our website contact form. Feel free to attach your CV, although it’s not essential.