Job Description

Role Overview

This will be a hands-on role, in a varied and fast-paced environment. You will assist with food preparation and service to deliver a wide range of food offers, from cold deli items, corporate catering, supper clubs and pre-theatre dining.

You will be responsible for setting up and running lunch services from a cold deli section including fresh sandwiches and cakes. As well as a basic hot food options such as soups, jacket potatoes, and hot sandwiches.

During busy periods, and theatre productions, you will also assist with our evening pre-theatre dining services. Preparing and cooking from themed menus, focussed on 'light snacking' and 'small plate' menus.

This role suits a chef with good skill, and attention to detail, who enjoys a variety of catering tasks, and thrives in a small and collaborative team. You will have opportunities to develop skills across multiple areas, while contributing to an enjoyable experience for our theatre customers, and regular clientele.

Reporting relationships

The Junior Chef/CDP will report to the Head Chef and work closely with the Catering & Events team.

Salary and Hours of Work

The hours of work will be contracted as 20 hours per week (likely 5 hours over 4 days). The jobholder will be expected to exercise flexibility based on the needs of the Venue. Evening and weekend work will be required.

Salary will be circa 14,560 per annum (14 per hour) depending on skills and experience.

Key responsibilities:

- Prepare and assemble fresh sandwiches, salads and cakes

- Set up, replenish and maintain our deli display

- Maintain a clean and safe working environment. Ensure adherence to all food safety and hygiene regulations

- Maintain consistency and the standards set by the Head Chef

- Light food preparation tasks

- Assist with evening food service

- Assist with corporate catering

- Work collaboratively in a small kitchen environment

Skills and Experience

- Previous experience as a CDP, or Commis chef

- Experience in a similar role within a cafe, or hospitality

- Strong food preparation skills

- Good understanding of food hygiene, allergen awareness, and safety standards. Ideally Level 2 Food Hygiene or a willingness to obtain

- Ability to work independently

- Confident in assisting with light cooking, and some food plating

How to Apply

If having reviewed the job description and information about the Shakespeare North Playhouse you consider yourself to be a good fit for this role, please email a CV, a cover letter of application and completed equal opportunities form to

recruitment@shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk

The cover letter of application should be of no more than 2 sides of A4 addressing how your experience matches the role description, why you are interested in the role and why you think your skills and experience would make you a good candidate. Alternatively, you may submit a video/audio file of no more than 10 minutes in length. You can do this via WeTransfer or an alternative file transfer service.

The closing date for applications is

Wednesday 14th January, 2026

Diverse representation

We encourage and welcome applications from people whose background and experience are underrepresented in the cultural sector. We are committed to inclusive working practices and understand there may be barriers people face when considering an opportunity like this. If you are interested in applying for this role but feel there are things that may prevent you from getting involved, please get in touch and let us know how we can support you in making your application and throughout the selection process.

Equality Monitoring

Please provide equality monitoring information on the form provided so that we can monitor the Shakespeare North Trust's equality policy and practices. The information you provide will not impact on the consideration of your application and will be used solely for the purpose of monitoring.

Data Protection

Information provided by you as part of your application will be used in the recruitment process. Any data about you will be held securely with access restricted to those involved in dealing with your application in the recruitment process. Once the process is completed the data relating to unsuccessful applicants will be stored for a maximum of 6 months and then destroyed. If you are the successful candidate, your application will be retained and form the basis of your personnel record. By submitting your application, you are giving your consent to your data being stored and processed for the purpose of the recruitment process, equal opportunities monitoring and your personnel record if you are the successful candidate. In submitting your application, we will assume that consent by you is given. We refer you to Shakespeare North's job applicant privacy notice which you should read before applying for this role.

If you have any questions or would like to have an informal conversation about the role before applying, please contact us via email at

recruitment@shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 14,560.00 per year

Application question(s):

Have you attached a cover letter to your application? Please also complete our Equality monitoring form available at https://forms.office.com/e/UCG50H4YCL
Work Location: In person