We are recruiting an experienced Café Chef / Cook for a busy independent café in Hemel Hempstead.
We are looking for someone with at least 3–4 years of kitchen experience who can cook fresh food to order, work cleanly, follow recipes and portion controls, manage tickets properly, and maintain high food safety standards.
This is a hands-on role for someone who takes pride in food quality, speed, consistency, hygiene and teamwork.
Main Responsibilities
- Prepare and cook fresh café food to order.
- Work across breakfast, brunch and lunch service.
- Follow dish specifications, recipes, portion sizes and presentation standards.
- Manage kitchen tickets properly and communicate clearly with the team.
- Ensure food leaves the kitchen hot, correct, complete and well presented.
- Complete prep before and during service.
- Follow opening, closing and station checklists.
- Maintain high hygiene, cleaning and food safety standards.
- Follow stock rotation, labelling and date marking procedures.
- Help reduce waste and control food costs.
- Work professionally with front-of-house staff.
- Stay calm and organised during busy periods.
Food Experience Preferred
Requirements
- Minimum 3–4 years’ experience in a café, restaurant, brunch kitchen or similar food business.
- Confident cooking fresh food to order.
- Able to work quickly and consistently under pressure.
- Strong understanding of food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness.
- Level 2 Food Safety preferred.
- Level 3 Food Safety / Supervising Food Safety desirable.
- Experience with portion control, waste control and stock rotation.
- Reliable, punctual and professional.
- Able to follow systems, recipes and checklists.
- Must have the right to work in the UK.
What We Offer
- Daytime café working hours.
- Busy café environment with regular customers.
- Clear recipes, systems and standards.
- Opportunity to become an important part of the kitchen team.
- Competitive pay based on experience and performance.
- Long-term opportunity for the right person.
How to Apply
Please apply with your CV and a short message telling us:
- Your kitchen experience.
- Whether you have café/brunch experience.
- Whether you hold food safety qualifications.
- Your availability.
- When you can start.
Applications without relevant kitchen experience may not be considered.
- Experience
- Required
- Languages
- English – Advanced
- Employment
- Full-time
- Salary
- £12.71 – £18 hourly
- Starting time
- Immediate start!
Marlowes, HP1 1DX, Hemel Hempstead
ChefHemel Hempstead
Local Cafe In Hemel Hempstead • 11-50 Employees
Hiring on JOB TODAY since July, 2026
Local Cafe
K P.Active 16 days ago
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