Cook School Associate (Part-time)

Part-Time Cook School Associate

Locations: Islington Square (N1 1QP), Hampstead (NW3 1RG), Battersea (SW11), Chiswick (W4)

Contract: Permanent

Pay: £13.85 per hour (London Living Wage)

Hours: 2–3 shifts per week (minimum 12 hours), typically 16:30–22:30, Monday to Saturday, including occasional bank holidays

About Borough Kitchen

At Borough Kitchen, we help home cooks cook better. From premium kitchenware and tableware to hands-on Cook School classes, our aim is to inspire confidence and creativity in the kitchen. We are proud to be the UK’s leading premium kitchenware retailer, with five stores across London, a thriving eCommerce platform, and a fast-growing Cook School.

We are a London Living Wage employer and an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and treating all applicants fairly, regardless of background, identity or circumstance.

The Role

We’re looking for a reliable, friendly and detail-oriented Cook School Associate to support our chef instructors and ensure smooth delivery of our cooking classes. You’ll work closely with our small, passionate team to create an engaging and welcoming experience for every guest.

This is a part-time role requiring flexibility, including availability for evening and occasional Saturday shifts. While your schedule will vary week to week, you’ll be expected to work 2–3 shifts across our four Cook School locations (Islington, Hampstead, Battersea and Chiswick), with rotas published monthly.

Please note: The Cook School closes during December. During this time, you will be scheduled to work shifts at one of our retail stores or at our warehouse in Islington instead of Cook School shifts.

This role is also physically demanding, involving regular standing for long periods, lifting heavy items (e.g. cookware, boxes, stock), and maintaining a fast pace during cleaning and class turnover.

Please note: This role involves regular handling of raw meat and fish.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist chef instructors by preparing ingredients and equipment ahead of each class (mise en place)
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organised kitchen environment
• Follow all food hygiene and health & safety guidelines
• Monitor stock levels and assist with ordering supplies
• Support guests during classes to ensure a great experience
• Handle post-class cleaning, laundry and resetting of the space

Requirements

• Availability for 3 shifts per week (including evenings and some Saturdays)
• Ability to commute to all Cook School locations listed above
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A strong interest in food, cooking and hospitality
• Previous kitchen or hospitality experience is a bonus but not essential
• Comfortable using Google Workspace (G-Suite) or similar tools

Benefits

• Complimentary Cook School classes
• Generous staff discount on products (post-probation)
• Annual pay review
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme offering free counselling, legal and financial advice, and a wide range of wellbeing resources
• Referral bonus scheme
• Company events and team socials