Commis Chef - Kitchen & Production Assistant Immediate Start
| Posting date: | 27 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £25,000 to £30,000 per year |
| Additional salary information: | B Corp Certifed Business, Bonuses, Staff Meals, Pension & Discounts |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 26 June 2026 |
| Location: | E8 3PH |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Secret Smokehouse |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | CCKPMay2026 |
Summary
THE VIBE CHECK:
We don't do average. We make exceptional smoked salmon, and everything that comes out of our smokehouse has to match that standard. We're looking for someone who cares about the craft - someone who takes genuine pride in producing beautiful smoked fish, food, works clean, and brings good energy to the team every single day.
This isn't your standard kitchen gig. You'll be hands-on with some of the finest ingredients in the country, learning techniques that most chefs never get near - all from a railway arch in Hackney. If that sounds like your kind of place, keep reading.
WHO WE ARE:
Secret Smokehouse produces arguably the best smoked salmon in the UK. You'll find us on the tables of The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, and some of London's most celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants - and we do it all from our arch in Hackney.
We're growing fast, we're passionate about what we do, and we want people on the ride who feel the same way. This is a place where the food is taken seriously, the team is tight-knit, and your skills genuinely grow.
THE ROLE:
As Commis Chef, you're the engine of our production kitchen. You'll be working across every part of what we make - from our world-class smoked and cured salmon through to our bagels, fish cakes, fish pies and salad boxes. No two days are identical, the work is real, and the satisfaction of producing something genuinely excellent never gets old.
WHAT YOU'LL BE GETTING UP TO:
- Prepping and producing our full range of ready-to-eat products to a consistently high standard
- Slicing, portioning, and presenting cured and smoked salmon with precision and care
- Baking and assembling fish cakes, fish pies, and salmon bagels - the full spread
- Maintaining immaculate hygiene and food safety standards, always - no shortcuts
- Keeping the kitchen organised, clean, and running smoothly throughout your shift
- Working closely with the wider team to hit production targets without compromising quality
- Learning our curing and smoking techniques and building your knowledge as you go
WE'RE LOOKING FOR:
You don't need a CV packed with Michelin stars. You do need to be:
- Someone who takes real pride in producing great food, every time
- Organised, efficient, and reliably punctual - a well-run kitchen depends on it
- Comfortable with basic knife skills and food prep - further training provided
- A brilliant communicator who works well as part of a team
- Willing to learn, take direction, and develop your craft
- Calm and focused when it gets busy - and it will get busy round festive period
A background in catering or professional kitchens is a bonus, but attitude and work ethic will always matter more to us.
WANT TO GO FURTHER? SO DO WE:
We're a growing business with real ambitions - and we want our team to grow with us. If you bring the right attitude, we'll invest in your development through hands-on training in specialist techniques (curing, smoking, production at scale), industry courses, and exposure to the kind of top-tier food world that most kitchens can only dream about. Show us you're serious, and we'll back you.
THE GOOD STUFF:
- Competitive hourly rate - discussed and agreed at interview based on experience
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays, pro-rata)
- Family meal - because you should love what you eat too
- Bonus scheme
- Wide range of training courses to build your knowledge and skills
- Exposure to incredible producers, ingredients, and food events
- A real team - close-knit, passionate, and genuinely good fun to work with
We don't do average. We make exceptional smoked salmon, and everything that comes out of our smokehouse has to match that standard. We're looking for someone who cares about the craft - someone who takes genuine pride in producing beautiful smoked fish, food, works clean, and brings good energy to the team every single day.
This isn't your standard kitchen gig. You'll be hands-on with some of the finest ingredients in the country, learning techniques that most chefs never get near - all from a railway arch in Hackney. If that sounds like your kind of place, keep reading.
WHO WE ARE:
Secret Smokehouse produces arguably the best smoked salmon in the UK. You'll find us on the tables of The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, and some of London's most celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants - and we do it all from our arch in Hackney.
We're growing fast, we're passionate about what we do, and we want people on the ride who feel the same way. This is a place where the food is taken seriously, the team is tight-knit, and your skills genuinely grow.
THE ROLE:
As Commis Chef, you're the engine of our production kitchen. You'll be working across every part of what we make - from our world-class smoked and cured salmon through to our bagels, fish cakes, fish pies and salad boxes. No two days are identical, the work is real, and the satisfaction of producing something genuinely excellent never gets old.
WHAT YOU'LL BE GETTING UP TO:
- Prepping and producing our full range of ready-to-eat products to a consistently high standard
- Slicing, portioning, and presenting cured and smoked salmon with precision and care
- Baking and assembling fish cakes, fish pies, and salmon bagels - the full spread
- Maintaining immaculate hygiene and food safety standards, always - no shortcuts
- Keeping the kitchen organised, clean, and running smoothly throughout your shift
- Working closely with the wider team to hit production targets without compromising quality
- Learning our curing and smoking techniques and building your knowledge as you go
WE'RE LOOKING FOR:
You don't need a CV packed with Michelin stars. You do need to be:
- Someone who takes real pride in producing great food, every time
- Organised, efficient, and reliably punctual - a well-run kitchen depends on it
- Comfortable with basic knife skills and food prep - further training provided
- A brilliant communicator who works well as part of a team
- Willing to learn, take direction, and develop your craft
- Calm and focused when it gets busy - and it will get busy round festive period
A background in catering or professional kitchens is a bonus, but attitude and work ethic will always matter more to us.
WANT TO GO FURTHER? SO DO WE:
We're a growing business with real ambitions - and we want our team to grow with us. If you bring the right attitude, we'll invest in your development through hands-on training in specialist techniques (curing, smoking, production at scale), industry courses, and exposure to the kind of top-tier food world that most kitchens can only dream about. Show us you're serious, and we'll back you.
THE GOOD STUFF:
- Competitive hourly rate - discussed and agreed at interview based on experience
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays, pro-rata)
- Family meal - because you should love what you eat too
- Bonus scheme
- Wide range of training courses to build your knowledge and skills
- Exposure to incredible producers, ingredients, and food events
- A real team - close-knit, passionate, and genuinely good fun to work with