A part time job that also allows you to indulge in your passion has got to be the perfect type of job, hasn’t it?

So, if you love to be in the kitchen, creating different dishes – whether sweet or savoury – why not be in a position where you can earn money whilst also doing what you love?

Since the pandemic, many of us have taken to the kitchen. And, for some, that love of being there, continues. We love to watch celebrity chefs, we love to eat out and we love to try different dishes from around the world. If you have a favourite place where you have spent a lot of time, perhaps you love to cook the food of that country or culture.

Whether you dream of working in a fine dining establishment, running a food truck or starting your own catering business, the UK offers a variety of career opportunities in the world of cooking. And the good news is, many of the careers in cooking are suited to people who are looking to work part time. 

This article explores different cooking career paths in the UK, focusing on diverse options ranging from traditional roles to modern, evolving positions within the industry.

So, whether you are looking for part time entry level roles or you already have some formal qualifications within the food industry and you are looking to rekindle your career, let’s take a look at some of the possible roles out there for aspiring cooks…

Professional Chef

Being a chef is one of the most common aspirations for people entering the cooking industry. The term “chef” is broad and encompasses several different specialisations, each offering distinct experiences and challenges.

The type of part time chef jobs you can apply for will depend on your previous experience and qualifications.

Head Chef (Executive Chef) 

The head chef is the top-tier culinary professional in a kitchen, responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations, from menu creation to food preparation and staff management. 

As a head chef, you will also often be involved in budgeting, maintaining supplier relationships and ensuring high standards of hygiene and food safety. This type of role is for those of you with the necessary experience and qualifications. 

Sous Chef 

If you have experience as a chef but you don’t want the responsibilities of being the head chef then being the right hand person might be the ideal cooking career for you.

The sous chef is the second-in-command in the kitchen and works closely with the head chef. As a sous chef, you will typically be responsible for running the kitchen in the absence of the head chef, managing the other cooking staff and ensuring the quality of food being served.

Pastry Chef 

If you want to specialise in your cooking career and you prefer baking to other types of cooking, you might want to consider part time roles as a pastry chef. 

Pastry chefs specialise in desserts and baked goods and are responsible for creating cakes, pastries, bread and other types of sweets. This role requires precision, creativity and deep knowledge of different pastry techniques. 

It is ideal for those of you who have a passion for desserts and enjoy working with intricate details.

Pastry chefs can work in a variety of environments from smaller restaurants to large catering facilities.

Commis Chef

If you are looking for entry level roles that will give you a taster and some experience of what life is like working in a busy kitchen, then you can learn the ropes as a part time commis chef.

Commis chefs work under the direction of the head chef and sous chef. 

This role involves learning basic kitchen skills such as chopping, preparing ingredients and assisting with food preparation. 

Depending on the size of the kitchen, commis chefs gain experience in different sections of the kitchen so that they can gain the skills needed for career development and more advanced positions.

Line Cook

Line cooks typically work in larger restaurants where kitchen staff work at their own stations, cooking particular foods. 

If you have experience as a prep cook and want to move up the ladder, part time line cook jobs can be the next step. 

Line cooks need to be able to work under pressure in a large kitchen situation, often dealing with many orders which need to be cooked and plated up to a high standard.   

Depending on experience, a formal culinary education is not always mandatory to become a chef but having qualifications from a culinary school or catering college can improve career prospects. 

Apprenticeships and internships also provide valuable hands-on experience.

Private Chef

A private chef works exclusively for an individual or a family, typically preparing personalised meals according to the client’s preferences and dietary requirements. 

Private chefs may also be employed on yachts, at holiday homes or at private events. 

This career allows for more creative freedom than a restaurant kitchen and can offer a lucrative salary depending on the clientele. It can also give you the opportunity to pick and choose your hours if you work at events.

Many private chefs in the UK work for high-net-worth individuals or celebrities, particularly in cities like London, where demand for bespoke, high-quality home dining experiences is growing. 

Private chefs must be flexible, organised and capable of delivering consistently high-quality meals, often with minimal kitchen support.

To work as a private chef, a background in professional kitchens is beneficial but formal qualifications may not always be necessary.

Experience and client satisfaction are key to advancing in this career. If you network and build up contacts who appreciate your work, you can build up a bank of clients who you work for.

Banquet Cook

Special birthdays, weddings, corporate gatherings – if you like the idea of being part of a team of cooks and chefs creating dishes for a crowd who will all sit down to eat at the same time, then part time banquet cook jobs could be ideal for you. 

Banquet cooks usually work in flexible hourly roles creating and preparing breakfasts, lunches, dinners and other meals for special occasions.

Banquet cook jobs can be entry level or you can do chef and sous chef positions if you have previous experience.

Food Truck Owner/Operator

The UK’s street food scene has exploded in recent years, offering an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurial cooks and chefs who want to break away from traditional restaurant settings. 

A food truck allows you to take your culinary creations directly to customers, offering a flexible and low-cost business model compared to the confines of a bricks-and-mortar restaurant.

Popular areas for food trucks include city centres, outdoor festivals and food markets, particularly in cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham. In your locality, there could also be opportunities for operating at private outdoor parties and in the grounds of local bars and pubs.

The food truck business requires a strong sense of branding and creativity and you will also need to be confident in networking with people so that you can get your truck into the events you want to be present at. Obviously, you will also need to have a great small menu that resonates with potential customers so that you can build a good reputation.

To operate a street food truck, whilst you won’t need any formal qualifications, you will need knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations around your environment and the foods you are cooking. 

You will also need to be a business person as well as a cook. Business acumen is also important because running a food truck requires managing costs, marketing and operations.

Cake Maker / Cake Decorator

This is the type of part time job where particular cooks can really indulge in their passion. Obviously, that passion will be for baking cakes of all types and decorating them.

Cake makers and decorators are required for all sorts of special occasions such as weddings and birthdays. You might be asked to make one large cake or you could be making lots of smaller muffins and cupcakes, for example, and decorating them with a particular theme.

Cakes can be for children or adults and as a cake maker and decorator, as well as the necessary cooking and baking skills, you will need to be creative and have an ability to listen to the wants and needs of your clients and create the cakes for them that match their special occasion. This might include acting on special dietary requirements such as vegan or gluten free cakes and making cakes that are suitable for those with particular food allergies.

Airline Caterer

Are you a fan of in flight aeroplane food? Quality varies between airlines but as a cook, you could be part of a team of people that prepares those airline dishes for aeroplane passengers. 

Airline caterers prepare dishes that are particularly suited for the aeroplane environment, making sure portion sizes are appropriate for the containers they are served in. As an airline caterer, you may also be required to load and unload food carts whilst ensuring correct procedures are followed for safety and hygiene. 

Baker 

If baking is your passion, part time baker jobs could be an option for you and, of course, this is a skill that could also give you the option to work for yourself. 

Bakers can specialise in certain areas such as bread making but for some baker jobs, you might be makşng savoury dishes like pies and pasties and also sweet goods like pastries, scones, tarts and cakes. 

Whatever your preference, there are many directions you can take with a part time bakery career.

Restaurant Manager

Restaurant managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a restaurant, including managing staff, overseeing customer service, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations and handling the financial aspects of the business. 

While they may not cook regularly, restaurant managers often have a deep understanding of the food service industry and work closely with chefs to ensure a smooth-running kitchen and dining experience.

The role requires strong leadership skills, excellent communication abilities and the capacity to handle high-pressure environments.

Culinary Consultant

Culinary consultants offer advice to restaurants, hotels, food manufacturers and other businesses in the food industry. They may help design menus, improve kitchen efficiency or advise on food trends and customer preferences. 

Culinary consultants often have extensive experience as chefs or restaurant managers and use their expertise to help businesses achieve success in a competitive market.

This career path offers flexibility, as many consultants work on a freelance or contract basis, allowing them to take on multiple projects at once.

When you have built up contacts and a solişd reputation, you may be able to work locally, advising smaller local businesses on their kitchen set ups and menus. 

Are You Looking For Part Time Cook Jobs & Careers?

The UK’s culinary industry is rich with opportunities for aspiring cooks and food enthusiasts. 

Whether you are interested in working in a high-end restaurant, a small local bakery or you are thinking about eventually starting your own business, there are numerous career paths to explore. 

The diversity of roles available in the food industry ensures that there’s something for everyone, from those who love the fast-paced environment of a professional kitchen to those who prefer a more creative or entrepreneurial route. 

With the right skills, passion and determination, a fulfilling career in cooking is well within reach in the UK. 

Take a look at the current vacancy listings to see if there are cooking roles or other part time jobs out there to suit you. And if you want to work around food but you don’t actually want to be a cook, check out our article on part time job ideas for foodies.