The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. 

The Chefs at our award winning restaurant, The Kitchen, are highly experienced in creating mouth-watering menus, producing food fresh onsite from ingredients that are sourced from local producers who share our ethics and commitment to sustainability, and we now have an excellent opportunity for a proactive and flexible team player to join our brigade as Commis Chef.

About you:

• Passionate about cooking and producing great food.
• Looking to enjoy a fabulous work-life balance.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment in a busy commercial kitchen.
• Intermediate food preparation skills.
• Level 2 Food Safety Certificate, is preferred but training will be provided.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Well organised and able to cope with varying pressures and a number of conflicting demands.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities within this varied and rewarding role will include –

• Preparing food to a high standard of quality and presentation, ensuring wastage is kept to a minimum.
• Maintaining high standards of food hygiene, adhering to all health and safety standards
• Keeping the kitchen and related areas clean, ensuring the correct use, cleaning and maintenance of equipment, and assisting in dishwashing duties to a high standard when required.
• Assisting with storing deliveries and ensuring stock rotation.
• Performing general cleaning duties to a high standard, in accordance with the cleaning schedule.
• Assisting the Front of House operation as required, ensuring that all customers receive a warm welcome and excellent customer service.

What we offer in return:

The role is based on site at our Sidmouth location which is not easily accessible via public transport thus a current UK driving license would be desirable– this is a full-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week, including weekend work as part of a rota.

This role does not include split-shift working.

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life assurance.

31 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 with each full year of service.

Wellbeing team.

Recorded Pilates classes.

Long service swards.

Healthshield plan –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Closing date for completed applications: Tuesday 8 April 2025.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.