Casual Chef – Kitchen Talent Pool

"Hospitality expert, padel tennis enthusiast"

You bring your expertise, enthusiasms, and curiosities; and we’ll provide you with a space to play.

We are now recruiting for Casual Chefs to join our Kitchen Talent Pool.

• Casual & Flexible Contracts
• Hourly Rate of Pay, depending on experience
• Onsite Role
• Based at Mad Swans in the South Downs (Alton)

Please note, you are not required to work a minimum number of hours each week.

Mad Swans is looking for Casual Chef’s to join our new Kitchen Talent Pool Team. You may have another job or commitment and/or you may simply not want to work regular hours each day or week!

To support our core Kitchen Team, we would like to build a separate Casual Chef Kitchen Talent Pool Team. Our Casual Chef Kitchen Talent Pool Team will support when we have special events and may also lend a hand to cover any periods of annual leave or absence within the team.

We are serious about cooking and will be making fresh pasta, homemade ice cream and fresh pastries and bread in our in-house bakery. As we are a new opening, we will have three brand new kitchens along with all new kitchen equipment in order for the team to deliver excellent food.

Mad Swans in the South Downs is located in Alton.

Full Address: Frith End Road, Blacknest, Alton, Hants, GU34 4QL

What we do

We are experts in our field, committed to creating boundary-pushing social spaces that spark meaningful connections through play in nature.

This summer, we’re opening our first countryside hangout for mavericks. The unruly. The friendship groups you wish you were in. The families you want to hang out with. For evenings that go on forever. And weekends that become folklore. Come for a good time. Come for a long time. Come for a breath of fresh air. Whoever you are. Come as you are.

Social play spanning Padel Tennis, Pickleball, Darts, Shuffleboard and Golf gives guests the chance to explore one game or sample them all, across a few hours, a day, or a long weekend. We’re all about great food, which is why we’ve teamed up with experts in their field to create two distinct dining experiences and endless ways to enjoy them. The Potting Shed proudly boasts a menu of refreshing takes on Brasserie classics while, in The Hangout, the focus is on shareable plates with no compromise on flavour. But wherever guests find themselves, from course to court, the meadow to the orchard, they’re never far from a plate of something delicious to satisfy any craving. And, for evenings that go on forever, an Eco Cabin for the night is only a starlit walk through the wilderness away.

What we can do for you

We understand that there’s more to life than work, which is why our roles are designed to allow exploration, from long-time passions to brand-new intrigues.

We believe that to be interested is to be interesting – that means industry-leading training within and outside of your specified job role. If you have a question, we want to provide you with the tools to answer it. As we make our start in the world, our team need to be able to wear a few different hats, which we treat as an opportunity, allowing you to take considered detours into topics of interest, in the pursuit of a broader, richer perspective.

And out of hours, our guests’ playground is yours too. Enjoy the wide variety of green spaces, and the games they host, at an exclusive rate. You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in all things Mad Swans, from padel lessons to cocktail workshops, after all, we want you to be as excited by our product as we are.

What are the roles

We are recruiting Casual Chefs to join our Kitchen Talent Pool Team.

Casual Chefs will be offered hours/shifts to help support special events and also cover any periods of annual leave or absence.

The purpose of the Kitchen Talent Pool Team is to avoid any members of the core Kitchen Team working excessive hours and to also engage with candidates who are keen to be part of our team but cannot to regular hours on a daily or weekly basis.

We are also open to speaking to Chefs with different backgrounds with different levels of seniority.

What there is to it

The key duties and responsibilities of these roles will include:

• Preparing and cooking delicious food options and dishes
• Follow approved and agreed recipes and cookbooks in line with our menus
• Process food orders using Procure Wizard
• Checking best before dates and stock rotation to reduce wastage
• Adhering to food hygiene standards
• Cleaning the kitchen to a high standard
• Supporting with Pot Wash as and when required

These positions are casual with flexible contracts and are hourly paid.

Location – this is an onsite role and will be located at Mad Swans in the South Downs, Frith End Road, Blacknest, Alton, Hants, GU34 4QL

Working Hours – shift times will depend on your availability and when you would like to work.

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for Chef’s who are:

• Experienced with a genuine passion for food, creativity and high standards
• Able to multi-task and work under pressure
• Committed to both Health & Safety and Food Hygiene Safety Standards
• Passionate about delivering a delicious menu and food offering
• Excited about being part of a new team and a new opening
• Excellent team players
• Flexible and happy to help and support in different sections
• Punctual and reliable
• Comfortable working in a very fast paced environment

Please note, you must be eligible to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor any work permits or visas.

What is in it for you

• Tips & Service Charge
• Free Parking
• Free Employee Meal whilst on shift
• Wage Stream – access your pay for hours worked before pay day
• Employee Discounts on Food, Sports, Activities, Cabins and in the Retail Shop
• Reward & Recognition Initiatives
• Team Social & Well-being Activities & Events
• Employee Referral Scheme Bonus
• Mad Swans Water Bottle
• Mad Swans Hoodie
• Plant your own tree at Mad Swans

How to Apply

If you believe you have what it takes to come on-board and would like to be part of something new and exciting, we would love to hear from you. Please simply apply by hitting the apply button.

Recruitment Agencies

We are not working with any recruitment agencies at this time. As such, we do not accept any speculative CV’s and/or candidate profiles and are, therefore, unable to consider these.