Assistant Chef jobs in Bramley and Sherfield

Chef Assessor / Hospitality Apprenticeship Trainer
(Production Chef & Senior Culinary Chef Apprenticeships)

Permanent | Full Time | Monday – Friday | 9:00am – 5:00pm
Reading and the surrounding area: Field Based | Within a 2-hour driving radius of home | 4 days visiting learners | 1 day working from home
£30,000 – £35,000 per annum + benefits (depending on experience)
No late nights | No split shifts | No weekend service

Keywords: Chef Assessor | Hospitality Trainer | Apprenticeship Assessor | Chef Trainer | Hospitality Apprenticeships

From the pass… to passing on your skills.

You’ve built your career in professional kitchens.

You know the pressure of service, the pace of a busy kitchen and the pride that comes from delivering great food as part of a strong brigade.

But many chefs reach a point where they want something different.

A role where your knowledge still matters — but your work–life balance improves too.

Where your experience helps develop the next generation of chefs.

At TLC – The Training & Learning Company, we’re looking for experienced hospitality professionals to step into the role of Chef Assessor / Hospitality Apprenticeship Trainer, supporting apprentice chefs as they build their careers in real working kitchens across England.

This is your opportunity to stay connected to the industry you love while helping aspiring chefs turn passion into profession.

Why Many Chefs Move Into Apprenticeship Training

After years in professional kitchens, many chefs decide they want:

• A better work–life balance
• A Monday to Friday working week
• More opportunity to mentor and develop people
• A career that still keeps them connected to the hospitality industry

This role offers all of that while keeping you closely connected to real kitchens and the future of the industry.

No late-night services.
No double shifts.
Just the chance to make a genuine impact.

The Role

You’ll work with apprentices studying Level 2 Production Chef and Level 4 Senior Culinary Chef apprenticeships.

Rather than being classroom based, you’ll spend most of your time visiting learners in their workplaces, supporting them during their training and helping them grow both technically and professionally.

Your role is part mentor, part coach and part assessor helping apprentices develop the confidence, knowledge and standards expected in modern hospitality.

You’ll manage your own diary, build strong relationships with employers and work alongside an internationally recognised chef and experienced hospitality training team committed to raising standards across the industry.

A Typical Week Might Include

• Visiting a care home kitchen to observe an apprentice during service
• Coaching a learner on knife skills, kitchen organisation and professional standards
• Reviewing apprenticeship evidence and supporting learners with coursework
• Meeting employers to discuss apprentice progress and development
• Working from home one day a week to manage administration and planning

Every week is different, but the goal is always the same: helping apprentices grow into confident culinary professionals.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Visiting apprentices in their kitchens and observing them in real service environments
• Coaching learners to develop technical skills and professional standards
• Assessing apprenticeship competencies and tracking learner progress
• Supporting apprentices through their training journey and preparing them for End Point Assessment
• Building strong relationships with hospitality employers and industry partners
• Keeping learners engaged, motivated and progressing towards completion

What We’re Looking For

We’re open to candidates who are already working as assessors, as well as experienced chefs who want to transition into training.

Most important is your industry experience and passion for developing people.

Essential

• Assessor qualification (CAVA, TAQA, A1, D32/D33 or equivalent)
• Culinary qualification at Level 3 or above
• Strong professional experience within hospitality or professional kitchens
• Excellent communication, mentoring and coaching skills
• Full UK driving licence
• Willing to undergo an Enhanced DBS check

Desirable

• Level 4 or higher culinary qualification
• Previous experience assessing hospitality apprenticeships

Thinking About Moving From the Kitchen Into Training?

Many of our best assessors started their careers as chefs in busy professional kitchens.

If you have strong industry experience but don’t yet hold an assessor qualification, we’d still love to hear from you.

At TLC, we’re passionate about developing industry professionals into exceptional trainers.

For the right candidate, we may be able to support you with:

• Fully funded assessor qualifications (CAVA/TAQA)
• Structured mentoring from experienced assessors
• A supported transition from industry into training

If you’ve built your culinary career and enjoy mentoring junior chefs, this could be the perfect next step.

This Role Could Be Perfect For

• A Head Chef or Sous Chef ready for a new career direction
• An experienced chef who enjoys mentoring junior staff
• A current Hospitality or Chef Assessor looking for a supportive training provider
• A Chef Lecturer or Trainer wanting greater flexibility and autonomy

If you’ve spent years perfecting your craft and enjoy helping others learn, this could be your next step.

Career Development at TLC

We believe in developing our people.

As our Hospitality & Catering division continues to grow, you’ll have opportunities to progress into:

• Lead IQA or Quality roles
• Curriculum development and programme design
• Hospitality training leadership positions
• Advanced professional development alongside an internationally recognised chef

What You’ll Receive

• £30,000 – £35,000 salary
• 35-hour working week (including paid lunch hour)
• 28 days holiday including bank holidays
• Additional Christmas & New Year shutdown leave
• Competitive mileage allowance
• Medicash health plan
• Specsavers eyecare scheme
• TOTUM (NUS) discount card eligibility
• Fully funded CPD and professional development
• Company pension scheme
• All-expenses-paid company events
• Free on-site parking
• A friendly, ambitious and supportive team culture

About TLC

TLC – The Training & Learning Company has been delivering high-quality training and development programmes across the UK since 2003.

We work with learners, employers and industry partners to create training that genuinely improves careers, confidence and capability.

Our programmes span multiple sectors including hospitality, leadership, health and social care, safeguarding and professional development — all designed with one goal in mind:

Helping people grow.

Ready for Your Next Chapter?

If you're ready to take your culinary experience beyond the kitchen and help develop the chefs of tomorrow, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today and start shaping the future of hospitality.

TLC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, identity, right to work and qualification verification.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

Application question(s):

• Do you have a valid CAVA, TAQA, A1, D32/D33 or equivalent?
• Do you have a valid Culinary qualification at Level 3 or above?
• Are you willing to undergo an Enhanced DBS check?
• What are your salary expectations?
• What is your notice period?
• Do you hold a valid UK driving license, a vehicle and the ability to drive?
• Can you travel within a 2 hour driving radius of the Reading area?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Reading (Berkshire)