The Chef Tree Chef Agency & Chef Jobs — Attraction in Great Britain

These guys love a good review so here we go!

After working for them for 3 years, a number of issues have become apparent. In April they mistakenly overpaid a number of staff and recently, without warning, deducted it from employee pay. The reason? They had a 40k loan to repay. Courtesy is one of their "core" values.... I'm sure it’s courteous to warn people in advance when you take money from them?

Some of their employees live on the bread line, supporting families. An unexpected reduction in pay could have had damaging consequences. Not a problem for them though! They’re very much fake smiles and a positive attitude when it suits them. Upon highlighting the issue termination happened. So employees beware, they ask for feedback but really only want to hear what they want to hear. Difficult questions will get you fired. They also will refuse to pay you if you are late submitting your timesheet, something that's quite unlawful but doesn’t seem to bother them.

They also offer a number of staff incentives. £50 reward if you come in for an interview... I’ve spoken to many chefs who did not receive it, including myself. So that's a scam. 5x positive feedback and you get £50, I know for a fact that few if any chefs receive it despite fulfilling the requirements. Do 500 hours with them in a quarter and you get £250. That's 167 hours per month, quite doable, but for some strange reason, the shifts they offer dry up near the point where you will qualify for the bonus!

So message to employees, they're friendly and welcoming when it suits them. If you’re looking for an employer that will look out for you these aren’t the guys. You might think they are at first but trust me they're only there to fulfil their own agenda. If you're leaving the restaurant industry because you want independence and to not be treated like garbage anymore, look elsewhere. They're snakes, trust me. For a cdp position you'll be paid £11ph head chef £13. The amount they charge the clients? Considerably more. You're better cutting out the sharks and working directly with the client and charging them somewhere in the middle. Better for you, better for the client, and you're not lining the wallets of people who literally sit on their backsides all day exploiting people.

Message to prospective clients? You really don't know who you're getting, you could get a very experienced and competent chef or an absolute novice. It’s a lottery. Back 2 front will fill the rota irrespective of competence or how much they still care about cooking. Pride in a job well done isn’t a requirement. There are lots of decent and commendable chefs on their books but likewise there are chefs who don’t have basic skills or ones that do and are frustrated and couldn't give a toss. It’s your business on the line, beware.

Edit: Orla, Amy and other office staff are lovely, welcoming and genuine. Just beware the directors of the company, their business model and their priorities re agency staff...

Chef Tree Chef Agency is incredibly professional ! The the staff in HQ are all seasoned Hospitality Workers themselves and this reflects in the way you are dealt with. As all relief work is , the assignments are varied and cover the wide spectrum that exists in Catering and Hospitality. One can be working in a City 4 star hotel one week , a school the next , followed by a care home the week after . As a chef , if you never wish to be bored then this is the agency to register with ! And when I use the word Chef I mean someone who has a high level of culinary skills which are adaptable across every aspect and institution of Catering . Someone who can cook and not just throw on a chefs jacket and call themselves 'Chef. Chef Tree are always selective in the candidates they take on and are rigorous in their selection process . As many of their competitors do , Chef Tree do not get you to sign on the dotted line and send you out the next day to work. You are questioned on your CV , your references are checked and they do throw in a few skills tests at you during interview. The time Chef Tree spend in their recruitment process , getting to know you , aids them in ensuring you are adequately matched with their clients. I always have enjoyable and rewarding shifts and in turn the clients needs and their customer's expectations are met ! Therefore everyone is a winner working for Chef Tree Chef Agency! Thank you Pete, Chloe, Orla and...

I can honestly say I’m happy with The Chef Tree! Absolutely the best system an agency can provide both to clients and chefs alike. They always try their best to fill the requested position with the most suitable candidate or to find skilled chefs the clients are actually looking for. There’s hardly any margin for errors and absentee chefs in the morning thanks to the fail-safe communication that has everything confirmed to/by you on every corner. Keep up...