While the United Kingdom has a relatively high cost of living standard, and inflation rates are not helping much, the overall GDP continues to climb into 2024. And much of this can be attributed to the nation’s tourism and hospitality markets. There are some incredible facts about the UK food and beverage industry like that it employs nearly half a million people across each region, and that food and drink manufacturing contributes more to the overall UK economy than any other sector.
This article explores the state of the current UK hiring market, specifically the food and beverage industry. Here, you will learn how to go about hiring staff, how much chefs and waitstaff earn, and the top job websites for sourcing the best talent in the country.
How to Hire Restaurant Staff in the UK
If you are an employer looking to hire staff in the UK, you should know exactly where you stand, legally. And what processes to follow in order to avoid fines and violations.
When it comes to hiring restaurant staff in the UK, there are several crucial factors that employers need to consider. Firstly, ensuring that prospective candidates have relevant experience and skills is paramount. The UK food and beverage industry has become increasingly competitive in recent years, making it necessary for candidates to have a strong background in hospitality. Additionally, assessing an applicant’s knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations is essential for maintaining high standards of customer service. Employers should also prioritize individuals who demonstrate knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations, as well as excellent communication and teamwork abilities, as these skills promote effective collaboration.
As for legalities, the process of hiring restaurant staff in the UK is governed by employment laws and regulations. Having knowledge of and complying with the Equality Act 2010, which prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics such as age, gender, race, disability, and religion, is very important for employers.
Restaurant owners also must ensure that recruitment processes are fair and non-discriminatory, including job advertisements and during interview procedures. It is crucial to conduct thorough right-to-work checks to ensure that candidates have the legal right to work in the UK. This involves verifying identity documents and obtaining evidence of immigration status if necessary. Other obligations include providing employees with clear contracts of employment outlining terms and conditions, adhering to minimum wage legislation, implementing health and safety policies, and complying with tax regulations such as deducting income tax and National Insurance contributions from employee wages.
What are the Best Restaurant Job Sites in the UK?
Using GrabJobs to hire dedicated hospitality workers in The UK is the best option for employers. This cost-effective job board and recruitment solution is ideal for employers looking to fill vacancies in bars, restaurants, and other venues thanks to its many features, including auto-sourcing and candidate screening. Plus, with over 5,000 companies using GrabJobs for their staffing solutions, its wide reach means plenty of eyes are on your job postings at any given time. As for candidates, auto-generated profiles mean that users can start applying for new jobs in seconds, making it ideal for businesses looking to hire quickly and easily.
2. Reed
Reed.co.uk is one of the leading online job portals in the UK, serving as a central hub for both employers and job seekers. The website provides a user-friendly and intuitive interface, allowing individuals to efficiently search for employment opportunities across various industries and locations. With an extensive database of job postings from reputable companies, Reed offers a wide array of options to suit varying professional backgrounds and career goals. The website also offers comprehensive career resources including advice articles, CV templates, and interview tips to help candidates throughout their application process.
3. CareerPoster
CareerPoster is another helpful online platform designed to help job seekers navigate their way through many different types of career industries across the UK. Featuring a hefty CV database, the website provides users with detailed information about different sectors, job roles, and all the necessary skills. CareerPoster includes an array of resources tailored to support professionals at every stage of their careers, including resume templates, interview tips, and career development guides. It also allows users to connect with industry experts through virtual mentoring sessions and networking events. By offering up-to-date information on current employment trends and market demands, CareerPoster ensures that individuals are equipped with valuable insights necessary for making informed decisions about their professional journeys.
4. Snaphunt
Snaphunt is a highly innovative and user-friendly website that revolutionizes the process of hiring top talent. With its cutting-edge technology, Snaphunt connects employers directly with skilled professionals across various industries. The platform enables companies to post job listings and receive applications from qualified candidates effortlessly. Hiring Managers can easily review profiles, conduct interviews, and shortlist candidates all in one place. It also offers a range of tools such as skill assessments and video interviews in order to streamline the hiring process further.
5. Monster
A well-established and highly regarded job search website that caters to UK professionals, Monster remains a go-to source for many. With a comprehensive database of job postings across multiple industries, Monster.co.uk offers an extensive range of career options for individuals at all stages of their professional journey. Not only does the platform allow candidates to upload their CVs, but it also provides helpful tools such as interview tips, career advice articles, and salary calculators. It even boasts helpful features like personalized job alerts and advanced search filters to help candidates refine their searches based on location, salary expectations, and experience level.
6. CV Library
CV-Library is a simple, professional job search website that offers a comprehensive range of tools and resources to connect job seekers with well-established employers. Users can create engaging profiles that highlight their skills, experience, and qualifications, and then upload their CVs to reach the large database of opportunities across various industries, which are regularly updated to ensure relevance and accuracy. There are also advanced search filters, allowing users to refine their searches based on specific criteria such as location, salary range, and desired contract type.
7. TotalJobs
A popular online recruitment platform and online CV database, TotalJobs provides a wide range of job opportunities for Britons seeking employment. With its intuitive search functionality, the website allows job seekers to easily navigate and explore thousands of vacancies posted by reputable employers. Additional features include CV uploading, networking tools, employment articles, and interview techniques. Overall, TotalJobs offers a comprehensive platform that enhances both employers’ hiring process and candidates’ job search experience.
8. LinkedIn
While it is primarily known for connecting industry players, LinkedIn is still an ideal option for those looking for work in Britain’s food and drink industry. Because of its seamless search tools, LinkedIn business owners can easily advertise vacancies, sometimes just within their feeds, by creating simple and effective job posts that can be linked to their business pages. Depending on the type of restaurant you have, and how often you hire, having a LinkedIn Business profile (for a fee) could come in very handy.
9. Jooble
Another online search engine that streamlines the job hunting process, Jooble is a top choice for candidates in Britain because it aggregates openings from numerous sources, including company career pages, job boards, and recruitment agencies. The intuitive interface allows users to easily navigate through filters like location, industry, and experience level in order to refine their search results. It also offers advanced features like a salary calculator and resume builder to further enhance the user experience. And with its vast database of jobs and notable presence in over 70 countries, employers can seamlessly post job advertisements and access a diverse pool of qualified candidates.
10. Adzuna
Adzuna is a comprehensive UK-based search website connecting job seekers with employers across Britain’s food and drink industry. It has a sleek interface that offers a sizeable database of current job listings from multiple sources, allowing users to efficiently search and apply for positions that match their skills and experience. For employers, Adzuna has useful features such as resume database access and targeted advertising tools to attract top talent effectively.
11. JobRapido
JobRapido is a popular search aggregation platform in Britain that offers an efficient and user-friendly interface for job seekers. It offers a comprehensive database of job listings from various sources, allowing users to browse and apply for opportunities in their desired field or location. Thanks to its many search algorithms, JobRapido ensures that the most relevant jobs are displayed for every search query, saving users time and effort in finding the best jobs for them. The website’s extensive database is routinely updated with new job postings to ensure accurate results, and there are also solid filters and sorting options that enable users to refine their search based on specific criteria such as industry, salary range, or contract type.
12. Jora
Jora is an immensely popular job search engine in many countries, including the UK. It provides users with an extensive platform that benefits both job seekers and employers. Potential candidates can browse thousands of listings from various sources, including company websites and other job boards, while employers can leverage the platform’s intuitive features by posting job vacancies and accessing a vast pool of potential candidates.
What is the Average Salary for Chefs in the UK?
The average salary for chefs in the UK can vary significantly depending on factors such as experience, location, and establishment type. According to industry data, the average salary for a chef falls within the range of £18,000 to £40,000 per year. However, these are rough estimates and factors can affect individual chefs differently.
Those working in prestigious establishments or Michelin-starred restaurants, for example, are generally better compensated compared to those employed by smaller cafes or eateries. Additionally, higher wages tend to be offered in major cities like London due to the higher cost of living. It is also worth noting that chefs with extensive experience and specialized skills have a greater chance of earning higher salaries than those who are just starting their culinary careers. Overall, while these figures provide a general guideline, individual circumstances heavily influence a chef’s actual earnings in the UK.
What is the Average Hourly Rate for Waiters and Waitresses in the UK?
Like their chef counterparts, waitstaff in the UK are paid in accordance with wage laws, but individual experience, location, and establishment type can also play an influence. It is estimated that the average wage for waiters and waitresses ranges between £6.56 and £10.89 per hour. Again, high-end establishments in larger urban areas and city centers may offer higher pay rates compared to small cafes in suburban areas. Job seekers should research specific localities and establishments to gain a more accurate understanding of current wage rates within the UK.
TOP 12: The Best Job Sites in the UK for Hiring Restaurant Staff
There you have it! A comprehensive and detailed look at the hiring process within the UK’s hospitality and food and beverage industry. From sourcing and employing restaurant staff (both local and foreign) to the expected salaries of various front and back-of-house workers, plus, the 12 best job sites for searching for qualified talent you should have a much better understanding of where to start and how best to run your business. If you are a restaurant owner in the UK, you should check out GrabJobs for all your hiring needs.
There you have it! Twelve popular job boards and employment portals in United Kingdom. Now that you’ve got the best options available at your disposal, you should have a much easier time sourcing talent for your business. Happy hiring!
