Our Story

Hospitality Recruitment Jobs offer

From Humble Beginnings

Formed in January 2014

Two former chefs Richard Barrett & Shaun Banks, looking for new opportunities in an ever changing climate of hospitality started to talk about how we can help hospitality businesses find great memebrs of staff, whilst providing short term cover to those that need it.

Meet the team

With Mutual Industry Experience

With Roots Deep In Hospitality

Our ethos has always been that chefs are the best people to recruitm for the kitchen team. AAn principle we stand by even today. Recruitment can be taught, but unless and consultant has live and breathed hospitality, they will never connect with our clients or candidates.

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What we aim to do

With a Passion to deliver quality staffing

Even after 10 years as a chef agency, supplying all aspects of UK hospitality, we still have a biurning passion to meet your expectancy and endevour to go beyond that! We are so focussed on improving services and to be as helpful as we can you our customers and candidates even to this day.

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Hospitality Recruitment
Relief Chefs
Enhanced DBS Chefs
Training

It's what we do...

Let Our Business Support Yours

As a leading chef agency, Chefs for Chefs can provide full support to your business, whther it be hospitality recruitment, agency and relief chefs and even training your staff.

Hospitality Recruitment

Relief Chefs

DBS Chefs

Training

Thanks so much for all of your hard work. Without the quality of the team you provided, the concept would have not of been the success that it is!

— Ian Mackie Head of Velvetiser Cafe | Hotel Chocolat

Our History

2014

The Founding Years

In 2014, Richard and Shaun launched their chef agency in response to a noticeable gap in the hospitality recruitment market. With staffing shortages becoming increasingly evident, they recognized the need for a more dynamic and responsive supplier. Despite being small and inexperienced, their ambition drove them to impact change in the industry. The first year saw a revenue of £80,000, laying the groundwork for future growth.

2015

Rapid Growth & Initial Success

By 2015, the chef agency experienced remarkable growth, achieving £500,000 in revenue. This surge enabled Richard and Shaun to onboard more chefs from the industry to serve as recruitment consultants. Their focus on customer satisfaction and brand awareness solidified their reputation as a leading hospitality recruitment agency. The team’s commitment to maintaining their core values while expanding their operations became a hallmark of their success.

2016

Reaching New heights

In just three years, the chef agency broke into the seven-figure turnover bracket. This achievement was a testament to their effective recruitment strategies and a growing network of talented chefs. The agency established key performance indicators (KPIs) that centered around customer satisfaction and revenue targets, which propelled them to new heights in the competitive hospitality recruitment landscape.

2019

Adapting To Market Changes

During these years, the landscape of hospitality recruitment began to evolve. Staffing shortages persisted, but the rise in industry salaries attracted new talent to the sector.

We noticed that some customers were improving work-life balance and conditions, moving away from the notorious 80-hour work weeks. This shift demonstrated the industry’s responsiveness to previous flaws and positioned the agency as a preferred partner for both talent and employers.

2020

The Impact Of Covid-19

The onset of COVID-19 in 2020 dramatically affected the chef agency, leading to a revenue decline of approximately £1 million. However, this crisis became an opportunity for exploration. The agency gained valuable insights into the needs of the care and education sectors, which allowed them to pivot and tailor their recruitment services to meet these demands. This strategic shift laid the groundwork for a robust recovery.

2021

Recovery & Innovation

In 2021, the chef agency worked diligently to restore its pre-COVID revenue streams while investing in technology to enhance the recruitment process. By focusing on providing quality staffing solutions, the agency successfully regained its footing and expanded its recognition within the care and education sectors. This dual focus on hospitality and other industries demonstrated their adaptability and commitment to service excellence.

2023

Strengthening Our Position & Expansion of Services

In the following years, the chef agency solidified its status as a reputable service provider across various sectors, including hospitality, care, and education. The agency’s reputation grew as more operators turned to niche agencies for staffing solutions, valuing the specialized skill sets offered. Their ongoing investments in technology and customer service further enhanced their ability to deliver reliable staffing solutions tailored to each sector’s unique needs.

2024

Looking To The Future

As of 2024, the chef agency aims to support all areas of hospitality, from pubs to care homes. Their goal is to deliver trustworthy staffing solutions within manageable budgets, ensuring quality across the board. By leveraging their experience and adapting to industry trends, Richard and Shaun are poised to continue making a significant impact in the hospitality recruitment landscape, further establishing their agency as a leader in the field.

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