Commis Chef

Love Food? Love People? Then Join Our Kitchen Team at The Dirty Duck!

The Students' Union is the beating heart of student life at Warwick – and we're looking for enthusiastic University of Warwick students to join our brilliant kitchen team!

If you're passionate about good food, love working in a team, and want to build real skills while having fun, this is the role for you.

What’s on offer:

• Hourly Rate: £12.71 + holiday pay at 15.55% (equivalent to 35 days paid leave per year)
  
  
• Contract: Fixed Term, starting Term 3 (2025) (with a six-month probationary period) until 4th July 2026 - working throughout the next academic year 2025/2026
  
  
• Hours: An average of 2 shifts per week (10–16 hours per week) during term time. Shifts vary between 8am–11pm and will include evenings and weekends. You must be available Thursday, Friday, and weekends. 
  
  
• Location: Warwick Students' Union, Coventry (occasional off-site work may be required)
  
  
• Closing Date: 9am, Monday 19th May 2025. Please apply early – this vacancy may close sooner if sufficient applications are received. 

• Interviews: To be confirmed (shortlisted candidates will complete a practical assessment) 

What’s the role?
We're looking for a passionate and motivated Commis Chef to join the kitchen team at the Dirty Duck — our lively, student-favourite pub.

You'll help prepare and serve a fresh, traditional pub menu (with some unique twists) in our large, open-plan kitchen, which can accommodate over 160 guests at a time.

You'll support a hardworking team in delivering high standards in every dish, from hearty classics to weekly specials, always keeping food hygiene and excellent service in mind.

This role is perfect if you're someone who:

• Loves food and cooking
• Thrives under pressure
• Is proactive, reliable, and takes real pride in their work
• Wants to gain valuable kitchen experience in a supportive, friendly environment 

Every day will bring something different, and you'll be a vital part of delivering brilliant food experiences to our student community. 

About the Dirty Duck
A modern twist on the traditional pub, The Dirty Duck offers real value-for-money food and a fantastic range of locally sourced products, real ales, wines, premium beers and spirits.

Our ethos? Real ale – real food – real people – real welcome. We're passionate about delivering warm hospitality, great flavours, and memorable moments for every guest.

Who are you?
You'll be someone who:

• Loves good food and enjoys working as part of a fast-paced team
• Has strong communication skills and a positive, 'can-do' attitude
• Can remain calm under pressure and adapt to a busy kitchen environment
• Is hardworking, reliable, approachable, and eager to learn 

Previous kitchen experience would be ideal, but full training is provided.

Why apply?
The Students' Union is a vibrant, student-focused workplace. You'll be part of a close-knit Operations Team that's passionate about making a difference.

• Full training is provided to help you succeed in this role and your future career.
• Your work here counts towards the Warwick Award, a programme that recognises employability skills valued by top employers. Gain Core Skills Points while you work!
• For more information and to register for the Warwick Award, please visit: What is the Warwick Award?
• You'll join a community that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and opportunity for all. 

We’re committed to equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability status. We want to support diverse and inclusive work environments and are actively looking for people who share our values. 

We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds — because diversity makes us stronger.

Got questions?
Email: jobs@warwicksu.com

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Commis Chef             

RESPONSIBLE TO: Deputy Outlet Manager and Management Team and through them, to Food and Beverage Manager, Head of Strategic Operations, Operations Director, Chief Executive, Board of Trustees

RESPONSIBLE FOR: None

MAIN PURPOSE FOR JOB: To help with the preparation and service of food ensuring high standards of food hygiene and customer care

MAIN DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• To help prepare and serve food for sale, to a high standard
• To serve customers in a friendly and helpful manner, according to organisational policy on customer care and outlet service standards
• To keep preparation and service areas clean and tidy and free from rubbish
• To operate all machinery and equipment in a correct and safe manner.
• To abide by current legislation and organisational policy concerning food hygiene, health, safety and fire.
• To commit to reducing the SU’s environmental impact and promote environmental and ethical good practice.
• The above to be carried out with regard to organisational policy on Equal Opportunities and continuous improvement
• Any other duties, in line with the job description that may from time to time reasonably required by the organisation

EXPECTED STANDARDS

• To work alongside our trained Chef’s and follow hygiene regulations and systems at all times.
• To comply with trading standards legislation at all times
• Be able to use all kitchen equipment without supervision
• Be able to prep to the required standard without supervision
• Maintain set portion control
• Ensure stock is rotated
• Contribute to the further development of menus
• Sign for receipt of deliveries
• To promote good customer care at all times.
• Smile at and greet each customer, be polite and courteous at all times. Thank the customer and give undivided attention to each customer.
• To implement Customer Care standards
• To apply the organisations Equal Opportunities policy
• Ensure that organisational policy on Health and Safety is followed
• Ensure cleaning standards are maintained
• To complete relevant due diligence
• Maintain a clean and tidy work area
• Assist the team in deep cleaning tasks
• To use equipment for its designed purpose and according to organisational policy on Health and Safety
• To follow manual handling procedures
• Use appropriate protective clothing or equipment
• Maintain personal hygiene standards and standards of appearance at work
• To adhere to cleaning schedules, complete due diligence records and implement hazard control procedures.
• To be carried out in line with the SU’s environmental policy.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE / QUALIFICATIONS

• Good understanding of customer care
• and a team player
• Ability to use your own initiative and work well under pressure
• Experience of cash handling
• Approachable and professional manner
• Understanding of health, safety and hygiene
• requirements
• Commitment to equality of opportunity
• Commitment to the values of Warwick SU
• Effective organisational and time management
• skills

DESIRABLE SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE / QUALIFICATIONS

• Basic hygiene certificate
• Experience of working within a kitchen