Kitchen Crew / Chef Jobs UK 2026: Skilled Worker Sponsorship Opportunity in York

Kitchen Crew / Chef – Sponsorship Available

YEMEN HEAVEN, an award-winning independent restaurant in York, is recruiting Kitchen Crew and Chef-level staff to join its growing kitchen team.

The restaurant specialises in authentic Yemenite cuisine and offers training in its dishes, ingredients, preparation techniques and kitchen systems. While experience with Yemenite or Middle Eastern cuisine is an advantage, it is not essential.

The role is suitable for dependable kitchen professionals who want to develop their culinary skills and build a longer-term career in the hospitality industry.

About YEMEN HEAVEN

YEMEN HEAVEN is an independent restaurant based in York, known for its authentic Yemenite cuisine, distinctive dining experience and strong reputation for food and hospitality. The restaurant continues to expand and is looking for talented and reliable people to strengthen its kitchen team.

The successful candidates will work alongside the kitchen team to prepare and serve dishes while maintaining high standards of food quality, consistency, organisation and hygiene.

For experienced chefs, the position can involve greater responsibility for preparation, cooking and service.

Job Details

• Job title: Kitchen Crew / Chef
• Employer: YEMEN HEAVEN
• Location: York, England
• Salary: £26,000–£41,700 per year, depending on experience and responsibilities
• Employment: Full-time, with some listings indicating part-time availability
• Work location: In person
• Sponsorship: Skilled Worker sponsorship may be considered for eligible Chef candidates
• Benefits: Staff meals, employee discount, tips and professional development opportunities

Key Responsibilities

Depending on your experience, your duties may include:

• Preparing ingredients and completing daily mise en place
• Preparing and cooking dishes according to restaurant recipes and specifications
• Working across different kitchen stations during preparation and service
• Cooking meat, seafood, breads, rice dishes, sauces and other menu items
• Maintaining consistent food quality and presentation
• Learning Yemenite ingredients, spices and traditional cooking methods
• Monitoring food quality during preparation and service
• Helping the kitchen operate efficiently during busy periods
• Receiving, checking and storing deliveries correctly
• Supporting stock rotation and inventory control
• Reducing food waste
• Maintaining clean, organised and fully stocked workstations
• Following food hygiene, allergen and health and safety procedures
• Supporting junior kitchen staff when required
• Identifying operational issues and helping improve kitchen efficiency

Additional Responsibilities for Experienced Chefs

Candidates appointed at a more experienced Chef level may also be responsible for:

• Managing a kitchen section during service
• Supporting and mentoring junior kitchen staff
• Monitoring preparation and service standards
• Assisting with stock management and ordering
• Supporting menu development and seasonal dishes
• Helping senior chefs with kitchen organisation
• Maintaining quality-control standards

What YEMEN HEAVEN Is Looking For

Applicants should be:

• Reliable, punctual and professional
• Comfortable working in a busy restaurant kitchen
• Organised and able to work efficiently under pressure
• Careful and consistent in their work
• Able to follow recipes and kitchen procedures accurately
• Open to feedback and professional development
• Good communicators and team players
• Committed to high food-hygiene standards
• Available to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays
• Interested in building a longer-term career with the restaurant

Previous professional kitchen experience is preferred.

Applicants seeking a Chef-level position should have experience preparing and cooking food in a professional restaurant, hotel or catering environment.

Experience with Yemenite, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean or similar cuisines is desirable but not essential.

Training and Career Development

YEMEN HEAVEN provides structured training covering:

• Restaurant menus and recipes
• Yemenite ingredients and spices
• Food preparation and cooking techniques
• Portioning and presentation standards
• Kitchen organisation and service procedures
• Food safety and allergen procedures

The restaurant also encourages career progression. Kitchen Crew members who develop their skills may progress into positions such as:

• Commis Chef
• Chef de Partie
• Sous Chef
• Other senior kitchen positions

Salary and Benefits

The advertised salary is £26,000–£41,700 per year, depending on experience and level of responsibility.

Additional benefits include:

• Tips on top of the base salary
• Free staff meals on qualifying shifts
• Employee discounts
• Training in Yemenite cuisine
• Professional development
• Opportunities for increased responsibility
• Career progression opportunities
• Experience working within a distinctive and growing restaurant

Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship

YEMEN HEAVEN states that it can consider Skilled Worker sponsorship for certain applicants being recruited for a genuine Chef position.

However, sponsorship is subject to UK immigration rules and individual eligibility requirements.

The employer states that Chef roles are affected by transitional Skilled Worker provisions following changes to the immigration rules introduced in July 2025.

According to the current vacancy, sponsorship may be considered where an applicant:

• Was granted Skilled Worker permission under the relevant rules before 22 July 2025
• Has maintained continuous Skilled Worker permission
• Has the professional experience and ability required for the genuine Chef role
• Meets the applicable Skilled Worker salary and immigration requirements

Applicants whose first Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship was issued before 4 April 2024 may be subject to transitional salary requirements.

Important Sponsorship Warning

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for Kitchen Assistant or Kitchen Porter positions under this vacancy.

Applicants who do not meet the applicable transitional Skilled Worker requirements must already have an independent right to work in the UK.

Therefore, candidates should carefully check their immigration eligibility before applying. A job advertisement mentioning sponsorship does not by itself guarantee that an applicant will qualify for a UK visa.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This vacancy could be particularly attractive to experienced chefs who want to develop their skills while working with a distinctive cuisine.

YEMEN HEAVEN offers structured training, opportunities for career progression and the chance to gain experience with Yemenite cooking. The restaurant is currently advertising the Chef/Kitchen Crew position in York with a salary range of £26,000–£41,700 per year.

For candidates seeking UK visa sponsorship, the key point is that sponsorship is being considered for eligible Chef-level applicants, subject to the applicable immigration requirements.

Conclusion

YEMEN HEAVEN is recruiting Kitchen Crew and Chef-level professionals in York, offering salaries of up to £41,700 per year depending on experience and responsibilities.

The role provides professional kitchen experience, training in Yemenite cuisine, staff benefits and opportunities for career development.

Skilled Worker sponsorship may be considered for qualifying Chef candidates, but applicants should carefully review the transitional immigration requirements and confirm that they meet the relevant eligibility criteria before applying.