Apprentice Chef - Cafe Ambio at Whinlatter Forest

Start your career in hospitality with Café Ambio and develop your kitchen skills through a Level 2 Catering and Hospitality Foundation Apprenticeship, with training provided by Lakes College.

Location: Café Ambio, Whinlatter Forest, Braithwaite, Keswick, CA12 5TW
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week over five days, including weekends
Pay: At least £8 per hour
Duration: Eight months
Start date: End of November 2026 – exact date to be confirmed
Apprenticeship: Level 2 Catering and Hospitality Foundation Apprenticeship

About the employer

Café Ambio is an award-winning, family-run hospitality business operated by Southcott Catering Ltd. With a passion for great food, friendly service and supporting local communities, the business works with local suppliers and helps people build careers in hospitality.

Based at Whinlatter Forest, you’ll join an experienced kitchen team in a busy, friendly café, learning from skilled chefs and bakers as you develop your confidence.

What you’ll do

You’ll learn the essentials of working in a professional kitchen, starting with the basics and building your skills through practical experience. Your duties will include:

• Developing knife skills and learning to use kitchen equipment safely.
• Preparing ingredients for breakfast and lunch service.
• Baking cakes, pastries and other baked goods.
• Cooking, plating and serving a range of dishes.
• Maintaining high standards of food hygiene and cleanliness.
• Cleaning down and closing the kitchen.
• Supporting stock control and ordering.

Working hours and training

You’ll work 37 hours per week over five days, including weekends, with two consecutive days off. Rotas are provided two weeks in advance. During peak periods, additional hours may be available as paid overtime.

You’ll receive practical training from the Café Ambio team alongside apprenticeship training through Lakes College. College attendance arrangements will be confirmed before the apprenticeship begins, and college training time will be included within your paid working hours.
Who we’re looking for

This opportunity would suit someone who is enthusiastic about food, keen to learn and interested in building a career in hospitality.

Applicants must be aged 16 or over. Lakes College can advise you on the apprenticeship entry requirements.

You will need to arrange your own reliable transport to the café. The local bus service operates only from March to October, so it will not be available when the apprenticeship starts.

Your next steps

On successful completion, there may be an opportunity to continue working with Café Ambio and progress to a higher-level course, supporting your development as a chef.

Closing date: To be confirmed.

Ready to take your first step into hospitality? Complete the application form below to apply.

Apply now