We’re Hiring: Chefs & Kitchen Porter at The Fairfax Arms

The Fairfax Arms is growing its kitchen team and is currently recruiting for two full-time chefs and a Kitchen Porter to join us on a permanent basis.

Chef Roles

We are looking for two full-time chefs to join our existing brigade.

The successful applicants will work across our kitchen, preparing and delivering dishes from fresh ingredients while maintaining the standards that have helped The Fairfax Arms earn its reputation.

Responsibilities will include:

• Preparing, cooking and presenting dishes from fresh, raw ingredients
• Working confidently across different sections of the kitchen
• Preparing ingredients and sections thoroughly ahead of service
• Maintaining consistency, quality and presentation throughout service
• Supporting the preparation of breads, pies, pastries, desserts and other dishes made in-house
• Managing your section effectively during busy services
• Following food hygiene, allergen and kitchen safety procedures
• Supporting stock rotation, deliveries and waste management
• Maintaining a clean, organised and professional working environment
• Working closely with the wider kitchen and front-of-house teams
• Contributing ideas and supporting menu development where appropriate

We are particularly interested in chefs who enjoy traditional kitchen skills and want to work somewhere that still values cooking from scratch.

Previous experience within a quality pub, restaurant or hotel kitchen would be beneficial, but attitude, reliability and a genuine passion for food are equally important.

Kitchen Porter

We are also recruiting for a Kitchen Porter to become an important part of the kitchen team.

The Kitchen Porter role is vital to keeping a busy professional kitchen running smoothly. You will work closely with the chefs to ensure the kitchen remains clean, organised and ready for service.

Responsibilities will include:

• Washing crockery, cookware and kitchen equipment
• Maintaining clean and organised washing and preparation areas
• Supporting general kitchen cleaning throughout the day
• Keeping floors, surfaces and equipment clean and safe
• Assisting with deliveries and stock organisation
• Helping with basic food preparation where required
• Supporting the chefs and wider kitchen team during busy periods
• Following food hygiene and health and safety procedures

Experience is useful but not essential. We are primarily looking for someone who is dependable, hardworking, organised and willing to get involved.

A Proper Scratch-Cooking Kitchen

One of the biggest differences between The Fairfax Arms and many hospitality kitchens is the amount we make ourselves.

Our food is prepared from raw ingredients, giving our chefs the opportunity to use and develop genuine kitchen skills rather than simply assembling pre-prepared products.

From baking bread and making pastries to preparing our well-known pies and producing dishes for the restaurant, our kitchen is hands-on, varied and focused on quality.

That approach has helped us achieve 1 AA Rosette, and we want to continue building on those standards with the right people joining our brigade.

Working at The Fairfax Arms

We understand that hospitality needs to work for the people within it too.

Our normal working pattern is four shifts across seven days, with flexibility around hours where possible.

You will be joining an established, award-winning independent business with a close-knit team and a reputation for quality food, hospitality and accommodation.

The Fairfax Arms has also been recognised as a Country Pub with Rooms of the Year, alongside our 1 AA Rosette and 4 Star Gold accommodation rating.

We are looking for people who want to become a genuine part of the team and build something with us over the longer term.

Relocating or Travelling to Join Us?

We know that finding the right hospitality role can sometimes mean looking beyond your immediate area.

For the right candidates, we can offer a live-in solution for non-drivers or those relocating to the area, helping make joining the Fairfax team considerably easier.

If you are considering relocating for the right kitchen opportunity, we would be happy to discuss what is available.

Who We’re Looking For

Across all three positions, we value people who are:

• Reliable and professional
• Hardworking and willing to contribute
• Comfortable working as part of a busy team
• Organised and able to use their initiative
• Proud of maintaining high standards
• Positive and practical when things get busy
• Interested in becoming part of an established team rather than simply filling a short-term position

For the chef roles specifically, we want people who care about ingredients, preparation and producing food properly.

For the Kitchen Porter position, we want someone who understands that a well-run kitchen relies just as much on organisation, cleanliness and teamwork as it does on cooking.

Join Our Award-Winning Brigade

If you are looking for your next opportunity in hospitality and want to work within a kitchen where food is genuinely made from scratch, we would love to hear from you.

We are currently recruiting for:

• 2 x Full-Time Chefs
• 1 x Kitchen Porter

Permanent positions are available, with hours based around a typical four-shift working week and live-in options available for suitable candidates.

Please contact The Fairfax Arms with a brief introduction, details of your experience and your current availability.

Join our award-winning brigade and help us continue doing what we believe great country pub food should be: properly cooked, from proper ingredients.