2026 Chef de Partie (The Mermaid)
Salary £ £15.00
The Mermaid Tavern
Vacancy listed 30/01/2026
Application deadline 31/03/2026
Details
Contract Dates
Start date 1 April 2026
End date 4 October 2026

Role Summary:  

A superb opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to enhance their skills within this unusual and unique hospitality environment. The successful applicant will be part of a friendly team focused on providing a fantastic customer experience.  They will assist in all areas of a busy Mermaid kitchen covering lunch and dinner, 

We are seeking a team player with a can-do attitude and the ability to work under direction and on their own initiative.


Key Responsibilities
  • Plan and execute menus in collaboration with colleagues.
  • Monitor front of house bookings diary daily 
  • Attend when requested – event meetings, menu briefings,
  •  staff meetings
  • Communicate effectively with FOH staff any changes/short menus items 
  • Ensure adequacy of supplies at all times
  • Place orders for your section with the head chef on a daily basis
  • Follow directions of the on duty senior chef
  • Ensure strict adherence to hygiene policies & procedures as per in house guidance, opening & closing procedures & the principles of SFBB
  • Assist with monitoring and training junior members of the team to work and produce food in a safe way and to the correct standard. 
  • Ensure Customer Experience is consistent & all dish specs are adhered too.
  • Ensures portion control is consistently applied and actively reduces food waste through smart prep, correct storage and efficient use of ingredients.
  • Work with Line Manager to ensure the business complies with all Health & Safety, and statutory requirements.
  • Comply with Data Protection regulations and ensure all personal data is stored and processed in accordance with Guernsey Law.
  • Any other reasonable request from your Line Manager or member of the Senior Management Team

Competencies Required
  • Great cooking skills
  • A cool head
  • An ability to delegate appropriately.
  • Organisational flair
  •  A grasp of profit margins


Technical Skills Required
  • Able to run a section independently (grill, fry, larder or pass support) during busy service, setting up, maintaining and closing down the section to standard each shift.
  • Confident cooking pub classics such as burgers, steaks, fish and chips, loaded fries, sharing boards, pies, curries and simple desserts like brownies, crumbles and sundaes.
  • Skilled in using fryers, flat-top, chargrill and salamander and able to manage multiple tickets at once, timing all components so they leave the pass together.
  • Experienced in mise en place and prep, including batch preparation of sauces, soups, vegetables, garnishes, dressings and basic desserts, with correct portioning, labelling, dating and storage in line with food safety requirements.
  • Able to follow dish specifications for portion size, cooking temperature and presentation, keeping plates consistent across different shifts and services.
  • Holds a sound understanding of basic food safety, allergens and cross-contamination, using correct colour-coded boards, probes, temperature checks and cleaning routines, and keeping the section clean and organised during service.
  • Works cleanly and efficiently under pressure, planning prep to minimise waste and avoid running out of key items during service.
  • Communicates clearly with the pass, kitchen porters and other sections, and supports other sections when quiet to keep the whole kitchen operating smoothly.
  • Comfortable working during high-volume services, live music nights.


Qualifications / Experience Required
Proven experience in Chef de Partie role
  • Level 1 and 2 Food Safety (provided as in house training )
  • Level 2 Health and Safety in the Workplace



General
  • The role requires a high level of stamina as most days will require you to be on your feet 
  • This role requires a high-level of fitness and the ability to lift and carry large/heavy items
  • You are required to work in line with the Health and Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance and undertake relevant H&S training and risk assessments as required.

Working within the Health and Safety at Work (General) (Guernsey) Ordinance, the postholder has a legal duty to take reasonable care for Health and Safety both for themselves and others who may be affected by their actions. They are also required to undertake Health and Safety training commensurate with the level required by the post and to take part in risk assessment procedures and the implementation of agreed recommended work practices within the area. 
  
Undertaking other duties not specifically stated which from time to time are necessary without altering the nature or level of responsibility. 
 
In addition to the required key responsibilities, it is expected that every employee acts in a professional manner at all times, including when off duty, as guests and employees use the same facilities, infrastructure and social areas.

About working on Herm Island
The small paradise island of Herm is just off Guernsey in the Channel Islands, which lie in the English Channel between southern England and northern France.  
 
Herm is a designated tourist island which is reached by a 20-minute ferry journey from Guernsey harbour, and where guests and day visitors enjoy year-round hospitality.  
  
 Guest accommodation includes: 
  • The White House Hotel: 
    • 40-bedroomed boutique hotel with several family sized and dog friendly rooms. 
  • Self-catering Holiday Cottages:  
    • 19 cottages and apartments dotted around the island sleeping between 2 – 7 people. 
  • Seagull & Mermaid Campsites:  
    • offering over 130 seasonal pitches rented on an annual basis by Guernsey families, and 23 equipped tents for short-term hire April to September.  
  • Herm also has a range of dining options and facilities including: 
    • The Conservatory Restaurant: a 90-cover classic, fine-dining hotel restaurant. 
    • The Ship Inn: a brasserie style inn seating 70 inside, and 80 in the courtyard and garden. 
    • The Mermaid Tavern: a popular and busy gastro pub which also hosts live entertainment and events throughout the year with a capacity of 500 people. 
    • 120-seater marquee for special events in the hotel grounds. 
  • Harbour Village, Shell Beach and Belvoir Bay Cafés:  
    • three outdoor seated cafés, one in the busy Harbour Village and the other two at the most scenic and popular beaches in Herm. 
  • The Herm Shop: 
    • a busy shop which stocks a host of products from gifts and clothing to beach goods and toys. 

Working in Herm 
 
Working and living in Herm is a truly unique and rewarding opportunity. There are approximately 50 permanent staff with year-round roles with up to an additional 100 seasonal staff. 
  
The hospitality teams are supported by several back-office departments including finance, reservations, administration, marketing, and recruitment. The island properties, infrastructure and landscape are maintained by a team of professionals and the island also has its own cargo vessel managed by the Services team. 
  
As there are no cars or bicycles in Herm a good degree of fitness is required to negotiate the varied terrain. With no resident doctor or hospital, shortlisted applicants are advised to self-assess their suitability to work on the island. Several residents are trained as community first responders delivering first aid, policing, and fire services.
 
The rewards are plentiful if you are hard-working and motivated by small team collaboration, helping others, delivering a professional service and above all, taking accountability for your role.
 
 
Vision & Culture
  
Our VISION is to have a sustainable business whilst preserving the unique appeal of Herm Island, including environmental project work.  
 
Our CULTURE encourages a hard-working, collaborative, team approach focused on accountability, empowerment and ultimately excellent customer and staff experience. 


Benefits

Flat 20% Income Tax rate over personal allowance, plus low Social Security rate
Zero VAT
Competitive board & lodging rates
Free ferry travel between Herm and Guernsey
Staff discounts on-island
Preferential accommodation rates for Friends and Family outside of Peak Season
Stunning beaches with exceptional sea swimming / kayaking / SUP opportunities
On the job training to include Level 2 Food Hygiene certification

Notes

NOTES: to enable us to consider your application please read the below information before completing the NOTES section in your application

EXPERIENCE: If you have no relevant prior experience, please provide additional information in the NOTES section.

ELIGIBILITY - Please confirm what relevant permissions you possess to work in Herm Island, or whether permissions need to be obtained under the States of Guernsey Work Permit Policy – information on Work Permits can be found here (copy and paste into your browser) https://www.gov.gg/immigration

IMPORTANT - When applying please UPLOAD your CV and a cover letter explaining why you wish to apply for the position.

AVAILABILITY - Please let us know your preferred start / finish dates if they do not align with those stated above.

OTHER - If you are applying as a couple, please state your partner's name.

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