Why Winter Hiring Works Differently
From mid-November, bookings surge for office parties, festive set menus, and New Year events. Many venues add short-term roles to keep pace. These contracts typically run a few weeks to two months, sometimes into January if demand stays high.
Common winter hires:
- Commis chefs for hotels, banqueting, and high-volume restaurants
- Pastry assistants for dessert-heavy festive menus
- Prep chefs for lunch services and large events
- Kitchen porters and runners to support busy weekends
Seasonal roles appear quickly and fill quickly. If you want in, speed and focus matter.
Why Use a Chef-Focused Job Board
Generic job sites can be noisy. A chef-specific board saves time and puts you in front of employers who are hiring right now.
What you can filter on Only Chefs:
- Location and commute radius
- Contract type (temp, casual, seasonal)
- Shift pattern (weekday only, day shifts, weekends)
- Kitchen type (hotel, events, contract catering, markets)
Set job alerts, upload your CV once, and apply fast when a good fit appears.
Where the Best Winter Roles Hide
You will see listings everywhere, but some channels consistently deliver quality short-term work.
Look here first:
- Hotels and venues: Banqueting brigades, breakfast and lunch prep, canapé production.
- Contract caterers: Corporate lunches, daytime events, predictable hours.
- Markets and pop-ups: Southbank, city fairs, stadiums, temporary kitchens.
- Gastro pubs and groups: Extra hands for set menus and party covers.
- Private events: One-night dinners or short runs for high-end households and offices.
Mixing a steady daytime role with a few pop-up shifts can maximise earnings without burning out.
How to Stand Out and Get Hired Fast
Seasonal hiring moves quickly. Make yourself an easy yes.
Do this today:
- Tune your CV: Lead with high-volume, banqueting, pastry, or prep experience.
- Be specific: List availability for key dates and any shift limits.
- Show proof: Add two reachable references and a short skills list.
- Move fast: Turn on alerts and respond within hours, not days.
- Be flexible: Offer cover for Fridays, Saturdays, and Christmas week if you can.
Short onboarding is normal in December. Reliability and a calm head count more than anything.
How to Spot the Right Winter Role
Not every listing will suit your pace or goals. Choose with intent.
Green flags:
- Clear shift patterns and contract length
- Defined section or station responsibilities
- Realistic covers and support in place
- Paid trial or structured induction
Red flags:
- Vague rota and open-ended commitments
- No clarity on overtime or breaks
- No mention of team size or support during peak dates
Make Short-Term Work Count
Seasonal roles can be more than a stopgap if you treat them as auditions.
- Build speed and consistency on core tasks
- Ask for a section once you have proved yourself
- Collect references before the contract ends
- Stay on managers’ books for future cover and next season
Plenty of chefs turn two-week contracts into repeat work or permanent offers.
Find Winter Roles Now on Only Chefs
Ready to line up seasonal work before the best shifts are gone?
Create your profile on Only Chefs, set your filters for temp and seasonal roles, and start getting matched to kitchens that need you now. Hotels, caterers, pop-ups, and private events are posting daily across the UK.
Start your search today on Only Chefs and secure your winter schedule while the best roles are still open.