Head Chef
| Posting date: | 17 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £34,000 to £35,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 16 January 2026 |
| Location: | LL49 9NF |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Festiniog Railway Company |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways are two of the UK's most popular heritage railways, located in the heart of picturesque Snowdonia. Spooner's, our restaurant and bar situated on Harbour Station in Porthmadog, is an exceptionally busy hospitality venue within a major tourism environment, delivering the highest levels of service throughout the day.
We are looking for an experienced Head Chef to oversee all culinary operations within Spooner’s. This will be a hands-on role, the successful candidate will lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, passion, and dedication to culinary excellence and maintaining composure and effective leadership during peak service pressures to ensure that the kitchen operates efficiently at all times. We are looking for an inspirational motivator to lead the team whilst developing an innovative and appealing menu using fresh, local produce wherever possible to appeal to a wide customer base.
We can offer you:
• Starting salary in the region of £34,000 - £35,000 negotiable dependent on relevant experience
• Permanent, full time position
• A minimum of 28 days paid holiday, inclusive of all bank and public holidays
• Enrolment into the company pension scheme after a qualifying period
• Company enhanced sick pay
• Travel benefits on the Ff&WHR and on national rail according to the Rail Staff Travel rules in place at the time of employment
• Staff discounts in shops and catering outlets
This role will operate within an extremely busy, high-volume, fast-paced kitchen environment, particularly during peak railway and tourism seasons. Candidates must be capable of leading a high-output kitchen while maintaining exceptional standards under pressure. The successful candidate will be able to manage high customer volumes, tight service windows, and rapid workflow.
Core Skills:
• Extensive culinary knowledge and proficiency in various cuisines, cooking techniques, and food presentation
• Experience working as a Head Chef (or Senior Sous Chef) in a high-volume, fast-paced kitchen environment
• Strong ability to remain calm, organised, and decisive under pressure
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a diverse team
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities, with a keen attention to detail
• Proficiency in menu planning, cost control, and inventory management
• Creative and innovative mindset, with a passion for culinary arts and continuous improvement
• A thorough knowledge and understanding of food safety regulations, and best practice
The ability to speak Welsh would be an advantage as would knowledge of the railways, their passengers and / or the local hospitality and tourism industry.
The successful candidate will be flexible, able to work any shifts as required, including evenings and weekends, to maintain maximum efficiency of the kitchen.
Applicants for this position must have the existing right to work in the UK, the Festiniog Railway Company is not able to offer sponsorship of Visa applications.
We are looking for an experienced Head Chef to oversee all culinary operations within Spooner’s. This will be a hands-on role, the successful candidate will lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, passion, and dedication to culinary excellence and maintaining composure and effective leadership during peak service pressures to ensure that the kitchen operates efficiently at all times. We are looking for an inspirational motivator to lead the team whilst developing an innovative and appealing menu using fresh, local produce wherever possible to appeal to a wide customer base.
We can offer you:
• Starting salary in the region of £34,000 - £35,000 negotiable dependent on relevant experience
• Permanent, full time position
• A minimum of 28 days paid holiday, inclusive of all bank and public holidays
• Enrolment into the company pension scheme after a qualifying period
• Company enhanced sick pay
• Travel benefits on the Ff&WHR and on national rail according to the Rail Staff Travel rules in place at the time of employment
• Staff discounts in shops and catering outlets
This role will operate within an extremely busy, high-volume, fast-paced kitchen environment, particularly during peak railway and tourism seasons. Candidates must be capable of leading a high-output kitchen while maintaining exceptional standards under pressure. The successful candidate will be able to manage high customer volumes, tight service windows, and rapid workflow.
Core Skills:
• Extensive culinary knowledge and proficiency in various cuisines, cooking techniques, and food presentation
• Experience working as a Head Chef (or Senior Sous Chef) in a high-volume, fast-paced kitchen environment
• Strong ability to remain calm, organised, and decisive under pressure
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a diverse team
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities, with a keen attention to detail
• Proficiency in menu planning, cost control, and inventory management
• Creative and innovative mindset, with a passion for culinary arts and continuous improvement
• A thorough knowledge and understanding of food safety regulations, and best practice
The ability to speak Welsh would be an advantage as would knowledge of the railways, their passengers and / or the local hospitality and tourism industry.
The successful candidate will be flexible, able to work any shifts as required, including evenings and weekends, to maintain maximum efficiency of the kitchen.
Applicants for this position must have the existing right to work in the UK, the Festiniog Railway Company is not able to offer sponsorship of Visa applications.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.