ABOUT THE ROLE

The John Lewis Partnership is the UK’s largest employee-owned business and home to our two well-loved retail brands – John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose & Partners. We aren’t an ordinary business; as Partners, we share a responsibility for our success and the rewards that come with it. Everything we do is powered by our unique Purpose: Working in Partnership for a happier world.
If you are looking for a country club hotel with something different and some history to work in, then The Odney Hotel, our "Place by the River," could be for you. This is a beautiful and unique John Lewis Partnership-owned hotel, set on 130 acres by the River Thames in Cookham, Berkshire. It offers both character and charm to our guests, who can stay in one of five beautiful houses on the site, each maintaining the period look of its time.
The main house, Lullebrook Manor, and its grounds are thought to have been the inspiration for the classic novel The Wind in the Willows, bringing history along with relaxation. Our guests enjoy access to picturesque grounds including a private stretch of river, water gardens, a pool, and sports facilities. Relaxation is further achieved with a visit to our Wellbeing suite or a meal overlooking the river—which is where you come in. In addition to your contractual pay, any time worked between 22:00 - 06:00 will attract Night Premium at a rate of £4.25 per hour. This will also apply to existing Partners who have enrolled onto Enhanced Hours Premium arrangements.

• Salary: £28,400 - £38,600

• Contract type: Permanent

• Working pattern:  6am - 4pm including weekends (as per rota) to support hotel service requirements.

• Location: Odney (Cookham), Berkshire 

Key Responsibilities

• Food Delivery & Presentation: Assisting the Head and Sous Chef to plan and deliver a food offer that aligns with current trends and customer demand, maintaining exceptional presentation standards.

• Team Development: Using your expertise to train and develop junior chefs and kitchen porters, including specialised skills like fishmongery and butchery.

• Compliance & Food Safety: Ensuring all legislative requirements are met, including allergen management, food safety policies, and health & safety standards.

• Operational Leadership: Conducting daily compliance checks (fridge temperatures, cleaning schedules, and PPE) and taking charge of the kitchen operation in the absence of senior chefs.

• Commercial Contribution: Helping to achieve sales targets by managing food availability and equipping the front-of-house team with the knowledge to upsell effectively.

• Wastage Control: Managing food orders with accuracy to minimise wastage and maximise profit margins.

• Brand Ambassador: Acting as a representative of the Partnership, providing a consistently outstanding experience for our guests and fellow Partners.

Essential Skills/Experience You’ll Need

• Professional Qualifications: Relevant professional chef qualifications, such as City & Guilds diplomas in professional cookery, BTEC HNC in professional cookery, or equivalent.

• Communication: Excellent skills to instruct the kitchen team and deliver clear feedback to front-of-house staff.

• Organisation & Planning: The ability to deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment while upholding strict hygiene and safety standards.

• Leadership Qualities: Ability to foster mutual trust and respect within a team, ensuring every member feels valued.

• Problem Solving: Quick and confident decision-making skills to resolve kitchen issues efficiently.

Desirable Skills/Experience You May Have

• Food Safety Certification: Level 3 Food Safety qualification.

• Mentorship: Experience in coaching or developing junior kitchen staff.

• Volume Catering: Experience working in a hotel or high-volume quality dining environment.

Closing Date:

May 23, 2026

Pay:

£28,400.00 - £38,600.00 Annual

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours of Work:

45

Job Level:

Partnership Level 9

Where You'll Be Working:

Odney Club, Odney Lane, Cookham, Berkshire, SL6 9SR

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.  

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.