Summary
More Details
Department/Team: Backstage F&B
Hours: Hours scheduled on a shift basis across Monday-Sunday (Monday to Saturday initially, but we may open on Sundays as the operation develops)
Location: Backstage, The Old Vic, The Cut, London, SE1 8NB
Salary: £15.48 per hour, plus Tronc. From April 2026, the hourly rate will increase to £15.78 per hour, plus tronc.
Responsible to: Head Chef
The Team
The Backstage F&B team is responsible for all Food & Beverage related activity within Backstage and The Old Vic theatre itself. The team includes the Operations Director, Head of Food & Beverage Operations, Deputy Head of Food and Beverage Operations Manager, Head Chef, Sous Chef, KPs, Duty Managers, Bartenders and Waiting staff.
Role summary
The role of the CDP is to ensure the highest standards of food quality and presentation. You’ll be responsible for managing a section of the kitchen, preparing ingredients, cooking dishes and maintaining a clean and organised prep and cooking area.
Areas of responsibility
Kitchen
- Preparing and cooking dishes according to spec and standards
- Ensuring all food is prepared and presented to the highest quality
- Assisting in the development of new menus and specials
- Ensuring consistently high levels of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness
- Monitoring stock levels, notifying the Sous Chef or Head Chef if stock levels are low
- Assisting with stock take
- Collaborating effectively with the Kitchen team, supporting where required
- Preparing dishes for any internal or external events as required
- Maintaining a culture of positivity, efficiency, creativity and continuous improvement
Customer Service
- Acting as an ambassador for Backstage
- Always delivering the highest possible level of customer service, ensuring a friendly, safe and secure environment in which customers can enjoy their dining experience
- Receiving all comments, raised by the public and following them with by immediate action or passing on to the Head of Food and Beverage Operations to investigate
General
- Promoting and complying with current legislation and The Old Vic’s policies
- Assisting the Backstage F&B team in relation to continuous improvement
- Undertaking any other reasonable duties, commensurate with the level of the post to ensure the smooth running of The Backstage venue
This is not an exhaustive list of duties and the Backstage venue management may, at any time, allocate other tasks which are of a similar nature or level.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The post holder must be able to demonstrate the following:
Essential
- Proven experience of working as a Chef/CDP
- Active passion or interest in food, produce and providing excellent food to customers
- Culinary school qualification / diploma / or equivalent work experience
- Good knowledge of basic cooking techniques
- Excellent food presentation and attention to detail
- A proven ability to provide a high level of culinary skill in an often fast paced environment
- Availability to work evenings and weekends as required
- Excellent communication skills to foster positive collaboration in the kitchen
- A proven ability to work as both part of a team and independently
- Well organised and able to multitask
Organisation
