Love cooking but want to avoid the pressure of a busy restaurant?
Help us deliver memorable meals to our visitors, while supporting our mission to inspire people to care for the environment.
Why you’ll love working with us:
1. Permanent part-time seasonal role: average 20 hours/week, February–November
2. Full-time equivalent salary: circa £27,350 per annum
3. Predictable hours and structured shifts for a healthy work–life balance
4. No late-night shifts – finish time is normally by 8pm!
5. Excellent benefits including life assurance (5x salary), health cash plan, pro rata of 28 days holiday plus bank holidays and extra loyalty days.
6. Flexibility over the winter and summer months to travel or enjoy other interests
What you’ll be doing
As our Seasonal Chef, you’ll support our Head Chef and play a key role in delivering our catering operations. This will include:
7. Cooking, kitchen management, and deputising for the Head Chef
8. Assisting with supervising and supporting the small catering team during daily service
9. We operate fixed mealtimes with one or two sittings, using simple set menus with two or three food choices.
Keen to know more? to learn more about a day in the life of a Chef at the Field Studies Council.
Your weekly hours will vary across the season, with more during busy periods and fewer in quieter weeks.
Please view the vacancy pack for further details on the full responsibilities of this role.
Where you’ll be based
Millport is a stunning coastal island where nature is your daily backdrop. Imagine working surrounded by sea and hills, with endless opportunities for adventure — from coastal walks and kayaking to snorkelling, rock climbing, and wildlife spotting.
Working in Millport isn’t just a job — it’s a chance to combine your culinary skills, love of nature, and sense of adventure every day. You’ll be part of a close-knit community with a slower pace of life, yet still within easy reach of Glasgow.
If you’re not a local on Cumbrae or looking to relocate, regular ferry connections make it easy to travel from the mainland, with the first ferry from Largs at 6:45am and the last one leaving Cumbrae at 8:30pm. Island life can bring the occasional weather challenge, so you’ll need to be flexible and able to stay overnight when needed — it’s all part of the adventure! After all, there are far worse places to be than a beautiful Scottish island.
We’ve been awarded the Soil Association’s Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award, recognising our commitment to serving healthy, nutritious, and sustainable meals. Join us in creating dishes that delight visitors and reflect our commitment to a greener future!
Who we’re looking for
10. Previous catering experience
11. Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to complete before starting)
12. Pride in your work, flexibility, and strong work ethic
13. Ability to work independently and as part of a team
14. Enthusiasm for sustainability and the mission of Field Studies Council
Your benefits whilst working with us will include:
15. Competitive salary
16. Pro rata of 28 days annual holiday entitlement plus bank holidays
17. Extra loyalty days dependent on length of service
18. Health Cash Plan for routine health appointments
19. Second opinions from top doctors
20. 24hr Counselling Helpline Service
21. Cycle to work and EV schemes
22. Reward programme with discounts and cashback opportunities
23. Flexible working options where roles permit
24. Quality learning and development opportunities
Ready to apply?
If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, we’d love to hear from you!
Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, so apply early to avoid disappointment. We may close the role early if we have enough suitable applicants.
For questions about the role, call Elke Scheibler on 01475 531420.
If you don’t meet every requirement listed in the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply and tell us about the unique skills and experiences you can bring to the role. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all team members to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will only be confirmed following the successful completion of rigorous pre-employment checks, including appropriate PVG Scheme check with Disclosure Scotland.