Chef Shortage Could Affect Christmas – REC

 

89 per cent of specialist recruitment agencies don’t have enough chefs on their books to meet client demand this Christmas season, according to a survey by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC). At the same time, 75 per cent of recruiters say that the level of demand for chefs has increased since last Christmas. 

The poll of 37 recruitment agencies supplying chefs to hotels, pubs, restaurants as well as to hospitals and caterers also shows that 97 per cent think that there are not enough trained chefs available to fill vacancies. 

In addition, 91 per cent of agencies say that the demand for chefs will increase over the next year. 86 per cent of agencies surveyed think the situation could get worse if access to EU workers is restricted in the future. 

REC chief executive Kevin Green says:   

“Recruiters have been telling us all year how difficult it is to find enough chefs to fill vacancies. So at times of high demand, such as Christmas, this could turn into a festive failure with people in restaurants, hotels or even hospitals left uncatered for. 

“The government needs to come up with a realistic strategy to invest in skills. At the same time, we need to ensure that EU workers continue to feel welcome in the UK. This is only possible if government sends a clear signal and guarantees that those already in the country can stay while also coming up with a clear post-Brexit immigration strategy.”   

Katie Mellor, director of sales & operations at specialist recruitment agency CJUK, comments: 

“This year we have noticed higher demand than ever before for temporary chef cover. Christmas is always a period of high demand for chef recruitment and this year is no different. 

“Our clients are not only looking for additional seasonal cover but are also needing to plug gaps in their permanent brigade as staff retention continues to be a problem for a lot of hospitality businesses. At CJUK we are encouraging businesses to embrace the use of interim chefs as a long terms solution as the changes in the labour market suggest more and more candidates are choosing flexible working meaning there are not enough chefs available to fill permanent positions.”

 

Ends

 

Notes to editors:  

1. For more information, contact the REC Press Office on 0207 009 2157/2192 or pressoffice@rec.uk.com. An ISDN line is available for interviews on 0207 021 0584

2. Between 28 November and 18 December 2017 the REC surveyed 37 recruitment agencies that supply chefs: 

 

Do you have enough chefs on your books to meet client demand this Christmas season?

8% Yes

89% No

3% Don't know

 

How has the level of demand for chefs changed since last Christmas?

32% Increased greatly

43% Increased slightly

11% No change

3% Decreased slightly

3% Decreased greatly

8% Don't know

 

Do you think there are currently enough trained chefs available to fill the number of vacancies?

 

3% Yes 

97% No 

0% Don't know

 

How do you expect demand for chefs to change over the next year?

 

59% Increase greatly 

32% Increase slightly 

3% No change 

3% Decrease slightly 

0% Decrease greatly 

3% Don't know

Do you think the shortage of chefs will exacerbate if access to EU workers is affected? (Total does not sum to 100% due to rounding)

86% Yes 

5% No 

8% Don't know

3. Jobs transform lives, which is why we are building the best recruitment industry in the world. As the professional body for recruitment we’re determined to make businesses more successful by helping them secure the people they need. We are absolutely passionate and totally committed in this pursuit for recruiters, employers, and the people they hire. Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com.