Chef

Field Studies Council Guide; Millport; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

A renowned environmental organization in Millport seeks a Seasonal Chef to support the Head Chef and manage catering operations. This part-time role offers approximately 20 hours a week and flexible working hours while ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Candidates should possess previous catering experience and a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate. Enjoy working in a beautiful coastal environment while contributing to sustainability efforts. Benefits include a competitive salary, life assurance, and generous holiday entitlement.

Benefits

Life assurance 5x salary

28 days holiday plus bank holidays

Health and Wellbeing Support App

Cycle to work and EV schemes

Quality learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Previous catering experience is essential.
• Willingness to obtain Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate before starting.
• Must possess a pride in work and strong work ethic.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head Chef in delivering catering operations.
• Manage kitchen activities and assist in supervising catering team.
• Prepare meals with fixed mealtimes and simple set menus.

Skills

Catering experience

Flexibility

Strong work ethic

Teamwork

Enthusiasm for sustainability

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Love cooking but want to avoid the pressure of a busy restaurant? Help us deliver memorable meals to our visitors, while supporting our mission to inspire people to care for the environment.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Permanent part-time seasonal role: average 20 hours/week, February-November
• Full-time equivalent salary: circa £27,350 per annum
• Predictable hours and structured shifts for a healthy work-life balance
• No late-night shifts – finish time is normally by 8pm!
• Excellent benefits including life assurance (5x salary), pro rata of 28 days holiday plus bank holidays and extra loyalty days.
• Flexibility over the winter and summer months to travel or enjoy other interests

What You’ll Be Doing

As our Seasonal Chef, you’ll support our Head Chef and play a key role in delivering our catering operations. This will include:

• Cooking, kitchen management, and deputising for the Head Chef
• Assisting with supervising and supporting the small catering team during daily service
• We operate fixed mealtimes with one or two sittings, using simple set menus with two or three food choices.

Keen to know more? Watch this video to learn more about a day in the life of a Chef at the Field Studies Council.

Your weekly hours will vary across the season, with more during busy periods and fewer in quieter weeks.

Please view the vacancy pack for further details on the full responsibilities of this role.

Where you’ll be based

Millport is a stunning coastal island where nature is your daily backdrop. Imagine working surrounded by sea and hills, with endless opportunities for adventure — from coastal walks and kayaking to snorkelling, rock climbing, and wildlife spotting.

Working in Millport isn’t just a job — it’s a chance to combine your culinary skills, love of nature, and sense of adventure every day. You’ll be part of a close-knit community with a slower pace of life, yet still within easy reach of Glasgow.

If you’re not a local on Cumbrae or looking to relocate, regular ferry connections make it easy to travel from the mainland, with the first ferry from Largs at :45am and the last one leaving Cumbrae at 8:30pm. Island life can bring the occasional weather challenge, so you’ll need to be flexible and able to stay overnight when needed — it’s all part of the adventure! After all, there are far worse places to be than a beautiful Scottish island.

We’ve been awarded the Soil Association’s Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award, recognising our commitment to serving healthy, nutritious, and sustainable meals. Join us in creating dishes that delight visitors and reflect our commitment to a greener future!

Who We’re Looking For

• Previous catering experience
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to complete before starting)
• Pride in your work, flexibility, and strong work ethic
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Enthusiasm for sustainability and the mission of Field Studies Council

Your Benefits Whilst Working With Us Will Include

• Competitive salary
• Pro rata of 28 days annual holiday entitlement plus bank holidays
• Extra loyalty days dependent on length of service
• Life assurance 5 x your annual basic salary
• Health and Wellbeing Support App
• 24hr Counselling Helpline Service
• Cycle to work and EV schemes
• Discounts and cashback opportunities
• Flexible working options where roles permit
• Quality learning and development opportunities

Ready to apply?

If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, we’d love to hear from you! Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, so apply early to avoid disappointment. We may close the role early if we have enough suitable applicants.

If you don’t meet every requirement listed in the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply and tell us about the unique skills and experiences you can bring to the role. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all team members to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will only be confirmed following the successful completion of rigorous pre-employment checks, including appropriate PVG Scheme check with Disclosure Scotland.

We want to create a world where everyone feels connected to the environment so they can enjoy the benefits it gives and make choices that help protect it.

As an Investors in People charity, we realise that to achieve our vision we need diverse teams of staff who have a wide range of skills, a real passion for the work of the charity and pride in their role within it. No matter what role you perform at the FSC, everyone can make a difference and every role is vital to delivering our mission and vision…if this inspires you, we would love to hear from you.