18th April 2021
The Availability of Permanent Head Chefs and Relief Chefs in Scotland
As we edge closer to much of Scottish Hospitality reopening on Monday the 26th of April, the availability of chefs is tightening up.
Most Head Chef jobs, if paying decent money, are still attracting applicants, although in many cases each Head Chef is being interviewed for several jobs at the same time, this seems to be particularly true in the major cities.
In rural Scotland, it depends very much on the job as to the number of applicants. 2AA Rosette Head Chef positions may get several applicants but only 1 or 2 who have relevant 2AA Rosette experience.
Hotel jobs paying by the hour in excess of £15 per hour will quite possibly still get a few applicants.
What is “decent money”?
Again, this can vary from job to job and by location. For Head Chefs I would say £35,000 and upwards is starting to be “decent money” This for a 45-hour week equates to just under £15 per hour. For 3AA Rosette Head Chefs, salaries can be in the region and in excess of £50,000 per year.
Bonus Schemes: A good bonus scheme can help to attract and retain Head Chefs. Based on achieving suitable gross profit margins, of say 65% and above. Wages ratio, kitchen cleanliness and customer feedback, all seems to be suitable for being built into a concise bonus scheme, getting certain amounts of money for achieving set criteria.
For relief chefs, the rates have currently stayed the same at Chefs In Scotland as last year as we look to get the season underway.
The availability of good relief chefs, well known to us, at the moment is quite reasonable. Many chefs have left the industry and have not returned at the moment, others have taken on permanent positions, as we move towards opening up the availability is expected to become poor, a bit like what it is like usually at Easter and just before Christmas, i.e., everyone who wants a job is fixed up.
The next couple of weeks promise to be quite challenging for all: hoteliers, restaurateurs and chefs, although hopefully things will begin to settle into some sort of rhythm.
Spouse Visa in the UK
A very basic outline
If you are married or in a long term civil relationship to a Uk citizen, you should be able to apply for a Spouse Visa.
This can take between 3 to 6 months to be granted as long as certain criteria are met.
The process can be speeded up by paying an extra amount and may be doable within 3 weeks.
The costs are quite high and will usually be in excess of £1000 but not more than £3000.
Applications are made to the Uk government through
www.gov.uk or google spouse visa uk
You must have a good knowledge of English and have either a specific amount of funds (c £62,000) or have a job offer in excess of a figure in the region of £20,000 per annum.
Working in Scottish hospitality industry post Brexit and coming from outwith the UK
We still have 5 chefs out working on relief.
There are currently 6 relief chefs out working.
We have had 2 relief jobs confirmed this week and an advert place and more enquires for placing adverts next week.
We have had good sales for beer from the shop / office.
Office hours next week will be 9.30am to 4.30pm – selling beer from 11am.
Chefs out working are
Mark Shaw at Crofthead Care Home
Dave Mcconnachie at Seafield Arms in Cullen
Robert Mckillop has been extended to the end of the year at Deans of Huntly
Gordon Smillie is at Shieldaig Lodge, he has also been extended
Jason Paxton is at Friars Carse near Dumfries
Craig Wood is at The Isles Inn in Portree
Thank you to ALL our chefs for you hard work, support and patience 😊
Stay Safe
RSS