Why You Should Use a Dedicated Chef Recruitment Agency in the UK

Pineapple Recruitment connects skilled chefs with top UK restaurants, hotels & catering teams. With us by your side, you’ll never be short on staff again.

The UK hospitality sector is facing some of the worst chef shortages in its history. Today, there are more than 100,000 vacancies nationwide as restaurants, schools and other venues struggle to fill positions.

That’s where Pineapple Recruitment enters the picture. We’re a specialist chef agency, focusing on helping chefs find work at reputable foodservice businesses. Our goal is to improve how this market operates so that both candidates and companies can benefit.

The Chef Shortage in the UK

The chef shortage in the UK is real, and statistics back it up. Companies are finding it more challenging than ever to find the people they need to thrive.

Brexit is, of course, one possible driver. Chefs used to come from the EU to fill shortages, but that supply of labour has become curtailed in recent years because of paperwork challenges. Finding a chef de partie or executive chef for a boutique restaurant was relatively straightforward before, but not so much now.

Added to this is the cost-of-living crisis and burnout. Many talented chefs have simply left the industry and gone on to do other things, not wanting to return.

This is why generic recruitment agency boards are no longer sufficient. For hotels and restaurant owners trying to find a new head chef, something more is needed.

What Is a Dedicated Chef Recruitment Agency?

If you’re a business trying to fill a chef job but struggling, use a specialist recruiter like us. We have deep hospitality networks, which means we can find candidates who more closely meet your requirements than generic agency chefs. Our team goes beyond just looking at CVs and instead focuses on things like references, trial shifts and the ability to deal with fast-paced kitchen operations.

This differs significantly from high street or generalist operations. These might have pastry chefs on their books, but that doesn’t mean they’ve met the recruiting requirements of the culinary industry. Most generic agencies don’t know much about the sector or the type of skills required to cook great food.

Why UK Restaurant and Hotel Owners & Caterers Should Use a Specialist Chef Recruitment Agency

As you start using specialist providers like us to find executive chefs, you’ll quickly discover why we’re so popular.

Access to Many Chefs

Pineapple Recruitment provides you with access to multiple chefs on a permanent or temporary basis. You can get the people you need for professional cookery, all pre-vetted and ready to work, with no requirement to sift through endless applications. We source the individuals you need based on your specific requirements.

Speed

Pineapple Recruitment can help you find relief chefs quickly at competitive hourly rates. Because we have such deep networks, we simply pull talent from across the board, providing placements in hours or days—not weeks or months, as is the case with most recruiters.

Industry Expertise

We have significant experience working with chefs and kitchen staff. Unlike many recruiters, we understand the people your service needs and have extensive experience matching the right individual to the operation, whether you run a Michelin-star outfit or a gastro-pub.

Trial Shifts

Pineapple Recruitment provides trial shifts and rigorous screening for all candidates, so you’re in safe hands. We find people prepared to do hard work and reduce the risk of bad hires.

Compliance

Pineapple Recruitment focuses on compliance, excellence and quality. We cover things like Right to Work and Food Safety so you can minimise cost and risk at your end. Our efficient process means we can identify issues before they arise.

Ongoing Support

Our clients also get ongoing service from us. We provide replacement guarantees and are always only a phone call away should you need us.

Cost-Effective

We’re cost-effective. We reduce the expense involved in filling a chef job significantly, allowing you to focus on your business.

Why Chefs Love Working With Us

If you’re looking for a chef job, you’ll love working with us, too. We offer all sorts of perks as a specialist recruiter in the hospitality sector.

• Honest and transparent. We only recommend roles that suit your experience and skill level.
• Superior pay negotiation. We work with you to increase your expected salary, improving your negotiating ability in the job market.
• Multiple roles. You can apply for multiple roles through us. Whether you’re a chef de partie, sous chef, head chef, commis chef, private chef or someone looking for temporary jobs, we can help. We connect chefs to positions across the industry every day.
• Career advice. We discuss your career goals and help you find the perfect role for your current skills and future aspirations.
• Access to off-the-books jobs. We help you find work you won’t see on mainstream job sites, reducing competition, including at top establishments.
• Temporary jobs. You can find reliable short-term roles with us if you’re looking to plug a career gap.

Choose Pineapple Recruitment as Your Trusted Chef Recruitment Agency

Whether you’re searching for an exceptional chef to join your team or you’re a chef looking for your next exciting opportunity, Pineapple Recruitment is here to support you every step of the way.

We position ourselves as the most professional option in the sector, offering nationwide coverage and consistent support for both employers and employees. Our pricing is 100% transparent, with no hidden fees.

Employers:

Need a reliable chef quickly? Contact our team today for fast, flexible staffing solutions.

Chefs:

Looking for your next role? Register now, and we’ll help you find the perfect kitchen match.