Overview
Role Purpose
To lead the Woodfire kitchen and deliver consistent, high-quality fire-cooked meals while maintaining kitchen organisation, stock and GP management, food safety and team morale.
Woodfire Camping is Britain’s first gastro-campsites – cooking outdoors over fire for our guests who sit at long tables watching the sun set. One of Time Out’s best ten campsites in England, we have also featured in Cponde Nast Traveler, The Telegraph, BBC Good Food Magazine, The Times, The Independent and The Guardian.
This Role Includes
THE ROLE: As the Head Chef, you’ll cook the menu under guidance and training, using local and seasonal ingredients. You’ll ensure you uphold our sustainable practices and contribute to the relaxed vibe of the team in our open kitchen.
Daily Responsibilities
Kitchen Preparation
● Prepare ingredients for evening meal service.
● Ensure all equipment and cooking stations are ready.
● Lead and maintain food hygiene and safety
● Check food deliveries and maintain stock organisation.
Kitchen Management
● Maintain a clean and organised kitchen environment.
● Manage prep timings to ensure smooth service.
● Monitor food quality throughout the day.
Team Coordination
● Brief Assistant Chefs on prep tasks and service plan.
● Ensure everyone understands the menu and cooking process.
Service Responsibilities
During meal service the Head Chef will:
● Lead the cooking of all dishes.
● Manage the pace of service.
● Ensure food leaves the kitchen at the correct quality and timing.
● Communicate clearly with Front of House staff.
Stock & Cost Management
● Order food and ingredients according to forecast guest numbers and within GP margins.
● Monitor food costs, minimise waste.
● Maintain clear stock organisation and rotation.
What Success Looks Like
After 4-6 weeks the Head Chef will:
● Run kitchen service confidently.
● Maintain consistent food quality.
● Keep food costs within targets.
● Lead a calm, safe and well-organised kitchen team.
This role is a fantastic opportunity to:
● step up and lead your own small kitchen
● hone your fire-cooking
● follow sustainable tourism practices in a truly unique setting.
● Work on events if appropriate: Woodfire Camping runs the fire-cooking school at Taste of London in Regent’s Park and Big Feastival. We also run corporate events and ticketed Feasts with big-name chefs and restaurants including Ottolenghi’s ROVI; Temper; Embers Brighton; Black Rock Restaurants (The Salt Room, Burnt Orange; The Coal Shed) and more
Skills Required
We’re looking for someone who…
– is currently CDP level or equivalent, ready to step up and prepared to learn. We don’t operate a traditional hierarchical kitchen. Our cooking is niche and while we want someone who has a good understanding of techniques, we have honed what we do and want someone open to replicating that.
– is prepared to teach, mentor and work collaboratively, sharing knowledge and skills to support a strong, dynamic team. Over time, we are looking to build a team of enthusiastic fire-cooks and chefs straight from catering college and you will be working alongside them.
– is presentable, collaborative and has great communication skills for our open kitchen.
– takes ownership of their role, is hard-working and takes a pride in maintaining the highest standards and an understanding that every guest’s experience matters.
– has a can-do attitude. We are a small, family-run business operating outdoors and sometimes it’s all hands on deck.
Additional Information
ATTRACTIVE BENEFITS: free camping, open air kitchen, staff food, excellent opportunities for professional growth.
HOURS: We open from 2nd April to 30th September for weekends and school holidays, with some events mid-week termtime. During termtime, the job is 20+ hours over the weekend with extra work when events are on during the week.
During school holidays (2/4/25 -12/4/25; 26/5/25 – 31/5/25; 22/7/25 – 31/8/25), the job is every day (2 days off a week) – c. 45 hours. We will continue into the off-season with Feasts and events.
PAY: £16-£18ph depending on experience
TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: 6-month fixed term contract
HOW TO APPLY: Apply through this link or if you want to find out more visit our jobs page here
