I have now been back at Chefs In Scotland for 3 ½ months and I have so far had 6 permanent placements.
My goal is to have at least a dozen placements by the middle of the summer.
Over Easter weekend, we were hammered with adverts and they seemed to be never ending. We were so busy that it was difficult to get a chance to do searches.
Here at the office, there are a number of procedures we go through when doing a search for a job. I am currently dealing with commis chef and chef de partie postions. We use our extensive database which has thousands of chefs on – which we update daily to mark chefs available/unavailable and any information such as what area they would ideally like to work, salary expectations etc. We also use our main trade website to advertise all positions as well as our social media.
In terms of permanent recruitment, you can have a pure advert which is apply directly to yourself or we can do the search for you.
I can help you with any advice on what salary to offer, accommodation queries or any other questions that you may have to ensure the best possible chance of finding you a chef.
I have a list which I update daily of all jobs I will be doing searches for that day and I set aside a part of my day solely to do searches.
As said before, my aim is to increase my permanent placements by at least double.
If you are looking to advertise for any commis chef or chef de partie positions or are looking for us to find a chef for you, please call our office on 0168322830 and I will do my best to help.
We are always looking for new commis chef and chef de partie candidates. If you would like to register with Chefs In Scotland, please email Alannah@chefsinscotland.co.uk and I can get you registered.
Alannah Morrison
Over the last year I have been placing more and more head chefs all over Scotland and in the north of England.
When a head chef job comes in there a number of processes I go through to make the job attractive so that it will get candidates. Firstly I discuss the job with the establishment, rates of pay and overtime and bonuses as well as accommodation available and the quality of experience they expect from a chef. This enables me to give chefs as much information as possible when searching for an appropriate candidate.
I then post the job on our website apply directly to me and on the main trade website. Then I put a pin up on the map and begin hunting through our database which dates back to 2001 and call and email candidates I think are relevant for the position as well as any other candidates that have applied through advertising the position.
Once I have 2-3 candidates depending on the role I pass them over with relevant recent references and as much details including a copy of their up-to-date CV. Then I wait for the establishment to get back to advise if they would like to interview or regret the candidates. Then it is a process of interviews and more candidates until an offer is made. The offer is made through Chefs In Scotland and we write up a 6 week introductory terms of employment as per the offer details and post recorded delivery to both parties.
In the past year we have placed head chefs all over Scotland and the north of England including a destination restaurant in Alnwick, small hotel in Kyle of Lochalsh, 4* hotel Berwickshire, Family-run hotel in Tongue, newly opened restaurant in Aberdeenshire, 2AA rosette country house hotel Perthshire, 2AA rosette hotel in Skye, large hotel in Fort William, 2AA rosette hotel in Shetland, well-known group in Glasgow and a newly opened restaurant in America.
If you are looking to register a head chef position please call the office on 01683 222 830 and I will get all of the details and can advise on the best ways to attract candidates.
If you are looking to register for head chef work please call or email your CV to jessica@chefsinscotland.co.uk and I will get you registered.
Looking forward to hearing from you all!
We have 68 relief chefs out working, this is the same number as the same time last year.
We have been getting a few new relief chefs out working this year and most seem to be falling into the swing of things.
We still have all our full time relief chefs and all are working and getting booked straight out after they finish one relief job most are being asked to stay longer.
Some excellent feedback coming back from the relief references (Keep up the good work)
We have met a couple of new chefs at our office this week with more getting booked in for the next few weeks, it’s great to meet you and put a name to the face and probably the same for you too.
We are continuously calling new chefs, getting CV’s in chasing up references and then inviting to meet.
Plenty of adverts getting placed on our website also with a lot of them asking for CIS to help with the search.
If you fancy a season in the highlands and islands then please send over your CV to recruitment@chefsinscotland.co.uk if you require help with making your CV look more appealing or if you need help to write a CV then please also get in touch we are more than happy to help.
A few chefs to mention this week are
Billy Steele is still at The Carfraemill Hotel in the Borders he joined then in April 2016 and is still working away with Head Chef Eddie McDermott.
Ryan Williamson is at Burts Hotel in Melrose, this is Ryan’s 2nd time at the hotel.
Jenny Quashie has now finished at The Mackay’s Hotel in Wick after working there for around 6 months.
Stuart MacColl is back working at the Bridge Hotel in Buttermere where he has been 5 or 6 times before.
Steve Moffat is at The old Manor Hotel in Fife, he has worked there on and off for the past few years.
Thanks again for your great work it is appreciated.
At the moment we benefit from overseas workers coming to Scotland to work in establishments to help fill the void of chefs that there can be during very busy times of the year. As we come closer to leaving the EU this will affect the many workers that come to the UK every year for work. It seems to be that this can put off EU workers coming to the UK for jobs because they will not have the right to move freely into the UK.
What does this mean for people from EU countries who are already residing here once Brexit is in place? So it is really undecided until March 2019 falls because it changes all the time. However if you have been living here for 5 years (or will have by 2019) then you have right to stay and live and work in the UK. The same rule applies for EU nationals who weren’t born here who has a parent that has been here for more than 5 years also.
Will EU nationals be able to work in the UK after Brexit? It is a bit of an unknown entity as until the negotiations actually happen and article 50 is triggered will we know. It really depends on whether the UK decides to introduce a work permit system like the one that already applies to non-EU citizens, limiting entry to skilled workers in professions where there are shortages such as chefs.
For the workers that are already here that have been here for less than 5 years it is a little bit unknown what will happen because they can currently work here as they are protected by EU law however when March 2019 comes round we will no longer be governed by EU law. So this may have implications on workers in jobs all over Scotland and the rest of the UK however it has been assured that it will not affect the estimated 3 million non-British EU citizens that are already living in the country.
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