Ahead of a busy summer season Rick Stein Restaurants is welcoming applicants of all ages and levels of experience to join the team for as little as one shift a week, effective across all their restaurants in Cornwall, London, Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire.
Co-founder and company director, Jill Stein OBE is sprearheading the scheme and wants to welcome those with no or little experience of hospitality.
Taking a more inclusive approach to recruitment, Rick Stein Restaurants hopes to attract talented people from all backgrounds and combat the challenge of industry-wide staff shortages following the combined knock-on effects of Brexit and the pandemic, as well as a growing desire for flexible careers that enable a positive work-life balance.
Having offered part- and full-time roles across all areas of hospitality since 1975, Rick Stein Restaurants recognises that there has been a drastic shift in approaches to work in recent years, and a need for hospitality – the UK’s third largest employer – to continue adapting.
With desire for flexible careers and a growing number of people looking for part-time and supplementary jobs, Rick Stein Restaurants is proud to be welcoming applicants with no or little experience of hospitality, but with a love of food, drink or people and no minimum commitment to shifts or hours.
These opportunities are perfect for those looking for flexible work; from career-changers to students looking to pick up weekend shifts over the summer, to ex-hospitality professionals keen to hone their skills a few days a week, a second job, under sixteens, or those who have relocated for a relaxed pace of life and are keen to embed themselves in the community.
Current employees demonstrate the undeniable benefits of flexible working. Roni Arnold, Jill Stein’s sister, joined The Seafood Restaurant team 34 years ago and can still be found doing two shifts a week as a sommelier.
Similarly, Teri Walters, a former retail business owner, has over 40 years of experience in the industry and now works two days a week at the Gift Shop team in Padstow.
Flexible working allows both Roni and Teri to pass on their extensive wealth of knowledge to employees and customers alike, whilst ensuring that they too can continue to pursue their passion for the industry.
Founded in 1975, the family-run business includes seven restaurants, hotel accommodation and self-catered properties, a café, a bar, a coffee shop, a pub, a fish and chip shop and a deli. Roles across a range of the sites include chefs, hosts, retail assistants, hotel receptionists, waiting staff, porters and kitchen porters.
Part-time and flexible members of the team will enjoy all the same benefits as those working more hours, including service charge, paid holiday, 50% discount in the restaurants, and more.
On the launch of the new recruitment initiative Jill Stein said, “We know that hospitality is a hugely rewarding career, and we welcome people from all walks of life to experience that, without personal circumstances getting in the way.
'My sister, Roni, lives in Cornwall and continues to work two shifts a week as a sommelier at The Seafood – she loves it! My friend Teri retired from running her own successful homeware shop, and now does two days a week in our retail shops. They both love the social aspect of meeting and working with new people, and the feeling they get from the rewarding nature of the industry.
'I am so proud that we’re broadening our horizons, moving with the times and offering people the chance to join our team on a basis that works for them. Welfare is so important to us, and we understand that for some people a day or two a week is all that’s needed, so we’re ready to offer that with some amazing roles across the restaurants and shops.”