Our new approach to chef jobs in Suffolk.
Four days on. Three days off.
Working 186 days a year.
179 days off*
So, how will you spend yours?
We're changing the way our chefs work.
How does it work?
Our jobs for new salaried chefs will be on a four days on, three days off basis. Working 45 hours per week split across the four working days, looking to remove those annoying split shifts.
By offering a better work-life balance using the four days on, three days off approach, we want to create a brigade of chefs that are happy and focused when they are at work, and by getting to enjoy an extended amount of time off, feel as happy to be in the kitchen, as they are out of it.
Want to earn more?
If required, there may be the option to work a fifth day (with Head Chef approval) which will be paid either a half or full day flat rate as required. This means that opting to be a salaried Hotel Folk Chef doesn't mean you miss out on the opportunity for additional income.
Want to keep progressing in your career?
We have already been recognised for the steps we have made in our in-house training provision. But we want to do more.
What we do so far:
- Every Folk member attends an induction day before starting so that they are not thrown in at the deep end on their first day
- We have an established Chef Development Programme in place for our Folk and we have every intention to continue to invest in this and develop our Kitchen Folk
- We also offer apprenticeships within our kitchens. Currently these are Level 2 Commis Chef and Level 3 Chef de Partie roles
- We have a dedicated Training and Development Chef in place to help kitchens across the group up skill their Folk, even if they are not part of the Chef Development Programme or an apprentice
What's to come:
- We are creating a Training and Development Kitchen which our Folk will visit throughout their career with us to complete their company training induction and attend culinary masterclasses, supported by our Training and Development Chef and our range of suppliers
Oh, there are other benefits too...
From 50% off food in our restaurants for you and up to three guests, to heavily discounted stays in our hotels and free golf, there are many benefits each Folk member receives (some subject to service with the company). Find out more below
Require accommodation?
We offer staff accommodation at many of our hotels (subject to availability). If you would like to know more about this, please use the contact form at the bottom of the page.
And what do we want?
Simple. A full brigade of Hotel Folk employees in our kitchens, who are trained and developed to be the best they can be, creating award-winning food for our guests.
Interested?
For more details take a look at a summary of our hotels and some of our Folk below.
If you are looking for specific information ahead of applying for one of our roles, please use the contact us form below.
If you've read enough and want to view our vacancies now, click the button below.
Meet some of our Folk from within our kitchens
David Margas, Head Chef - Thorpeness Golf Club & Hotel and Thorpeness Country Club
David has been with The Hotel Folk for seven years and not only leads our food offering for one of our bigger hotels, but also presides over our the hotel's nearby country club that holds large-scale weddings and events.
Take a look at some of David's creations below.
Rob Tucker, Head Chef - The White Lion
Rob has been working within the industry for 11 years, many of which have been within The Hotel Folk's kitchens. Rob became the Head Chef at The White Lion's Brasserie in August 2023.
Rob's food style at The Brasserie is an elevated restaurant quality take on home comfort dishes perfectly matching the needs of our guests.
View some of Rob's creations below.
Our hotels
View our selection of hotels across the Suffolk coast and countryside
The Brudenell, Aldeburgh
Home to our Seafood & Grill restaurant, and during sunnier spells, a bustling sea view terrace. The Brudenell's Seafood & Grill is nationally recognised has previously been named as one of the 'best places to eat by the sea' by The Times.
Thorpeness Golf Club and Hotel
A Top 100 golf course in the UK, Thorpeness Golf Club and Hotel boasts a multitude of dining options from our tee-side restaurant, Ogilvie's, to a more relaxed Braid's Bar and lounge, as well as a wrap around terrace and meareside garden. What's more, Thorpeness has a number of private dining spaces, the biggest of which is a few minutes' drive or walk from the hotel at Thorpeness Country Club.
The Swan at Lavenham
This wonderful 15th century hotel is where you'll find our Gallery restaurant. With stunning oak beams and chandeliers, this is place that guests visit on special occasions and we like to make them feel just as special. For a more relaxed setting, guests may choose our Mess Call 487 restaurant or lounges to dine within. The Swan is recognised regularly in high regard by the national and local press, both as a hotel in it's entirety as well as for its food, this also includes afternoon tea. The Swan also plays host to multiple weddings throughout the year within the three private hire spaces within the hotel as well as within The Gallery for larger weddings.
The White Lion, Aldeburgh
A hop, skip and jump away from Aldeburgh beach, The White Lion Hotel is in a prime position of the Suffolk Coast. It is also where you will find our Brasserie restaurant and Sea Spice restaurant. Our ethos is to serve comfort food dishes at great prices in one of the most popular getaway destinations in the UK. *Please note that the four days on, three days off approach is not in place for our Sea Spice restaurant.
The Crown at Woodbridge
Located within central Woodbridge on the Thoroughfare, The Crown at Woodbridge is our only town-based location within The Hotel Folk Group. Classed as a 'restaurant with rooms', the food takes centre stage. From niblets and afternoon tea to stacked burgers and mains with finesse, the variety of dishes will allow you to put your skill set to good use.
The Crown and Castle, Orford
An award-winning hotel that has been recently recognised with 2 AA rosettes. Currently serving during the evenings and Sunday lunch, the four days on, three days off system will not be in place at this hotel.Chef job vacancies
Can you imagine yourself as one of our Chefs? Take a look at what roles we currently have available by clicking the vacancies button below.
Contact us
*179 days calculated on three days off per week plus 22 days annual leave.
Please also note, this is not applicable to Breakfast Chef roles.