Chef Jobs in Scotland

Everyone who runs a food business needs to make sure they follow good food hygiene practices to ensure that the food they handle or serve is safe to eat.

“Scotland’s food and drink industry is recognised as a major plank in the Scottish economy, which generates nearly £10 billion a year. In 2009, the industry exported £4.01 billion of food and drink products and generated around £7.5 billion in sales. That figure is growing as the industry has set itself ambitious targets to raise its sales figures.” Source: http://sdi.co.uk

The Catering Industry is buoyant throughout the year, but recruits extra staff for seasonal events i.e. Christmas, New Year, covering for holiday cover etc. If you are working for a recruitment agency, tell them the shifts and days you can work.

To gain a qualification in this sector, there are various options open to you, these include;

  • Food Hygiene Certificate

  • Higher Professional Diploma in Hospitality and Catering – City and Guilds

  • Hospitality Management - Certificate & Diploma

  • Strategic Management in Hospitality – Diploma

 

Some of these courses, can be distance learning / online which can help if you are studying in your spare time, whilst working full-time. Funding may be available through Skills Development Scotland, so make contact with them, for further details.

To work within the catering industry you must have your own chef’s jacket, check pants, apron, scarf/ neck tie, hat, steel toe cap shoes and sometimes a plastic or a metal glove. If you have long hair, you will be asked to wear a hair net, for hygiene reasons. Some establishments may ask if you have your own knives etc., as a lot of Chef’s are very particular about the instruments they use when preparing food.

If you are looking for a job as a Chef in Scotland, the types of jobs you will see advertised are;

  • Banqueting
  • Chef De Partie
  • Chef De Rang
  • Demi Chef
  • Gastro Pub
  • Junior Sous Chef
  • Kitchen Staff
  • Senior Chef De Partie
  • Sous Chef

Research (Nov’ 2011) shows us that the Marriott Hotels in Scotland have joined Women 1st. A programme designed by People 1st and part funded by Skills Development Scotland.

“The initiative is aimed at providing training and mentoring for women working in the hospitality, leisure, passenger transport, travel and tourism industries. Already having supported over 400 women in England, Women 1st recently secured additional funding to extend the programme north of the Border.”

Source: November 2011, Catering In Scotland Magazine.

If you are working in the catering industry, typically you will be working shifts. This does not suit everyone, as it can frequently include split shifts i.e. 11am – 2.30pm then back in to work at 5pm – 10pm. One of the advantages of working in this sector is if you have the opportunity to learn from a very talented Chef, these skills will help lay the foundations for your own career. Learn as many areas of the kitchen as possible, go on as many courses as you can, either self-funded or through your employer, but make sure you are constantly learning new skills and techniques.

Recruitment Agencies are a very good way to start working in this sector; you will need to be reliable, turn up for shifts on-time, with your protective clothing and utensils, with safety shoes. If you turn up for work, without these items, you will be asked to return home, with no pay.

Scottishjobsonthe.net maintains excellent working relationships with employers and recruitment agencies. Bookmark this page to ensure you are kept u-to-date with all the latest vacancies in the Catering sector.

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