Life as Head Chef at Parkdean Resorts

“Working at Parkdean Resorts is a laugh. You are with friends and family on the front line, pushing each other to be better. It’s great to watch people fall in love with the job and come back every year.”

When Dannika was offered a part-time waitressing role at White Cross Bay Holiday Park back in 2011, she was only 18 years old. She had decided that university wasn’t for her and joined the restaurant team as a quiet and shy new starter. 

Now, over 10 years later, Dannika’s Parkdean journey has seen her take on many roles, from being promoted to Bar Supervisor after just 1 year on park, to Assistant Complex Manager at the start of 2014, to where she is today in a Head Chef job at White Cross Bay.

Discovering A Passion For Chef Jobs

In the beginning, Dannika had no idea that she would end up discovering her perfect role as a head chef, claiming only to know how to make ‘a mean beans on toast’ when she was younger. She was enjoying her role as Assistant Complex Manager when, in 2015, Storm Desmond hit and White Cross Bay experienced substantial flooding that resulted in a huge refurbishment. 

Now working on a park that had tripled in size, Dannika found herself in the kitchen as a support during a record-breaking busy season. She loved the experience, and when the opportunity for a Head Chef job came up, she seized it—and her career took off from there

“I found myself on the pass directing this team of chefs. Teaching them how to cook, how to plate, and how to send it out… I had a ball.”

Opportunities for Growth and Landing a Head Chef Job at Parkdean Resorts

Dannika has achieved remarkable things during her years at Parkdean Resorts, developing her skill set through a Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ in Management, amongst many other courses made available to her. 

When discussing what makes Parkdean Resorts different, Dannika talks about the opportunities for development and progression. “We care for and invest in our staff, and the progression is massive. We allow seasonal staff to go and do courses like our Kitchen Academy apprenticeship. Parkdean allows everyone a shot.”

More than just a chef job

Over the years, Dannika has spent some time as a Regional Chef Champion, attending various new menu training days as a support, and is now a Head Chef tutor, where she assists in the onboarding and training of new head chefs joining the Parkdean family. 

Dannika was even given the opportunity to step into a Complex Manager position on park, which she states was ‘a huge step up for her’, but felt more passionate about the kitchen, returning to her Head Chef job where she felt she performed at her best and was most happy.

For Dannika, it really is all about the people. She says, “The team is amazing and I’ve made some lifelong friends. I just love the place, and I lived on site for 8 years, so it enabled me to be able to afford my own house. I grew up at White Cross Bay as a fresh-faced 18-year-old old so a lot of my life experiences have been had here."

Apply for Head Chef jobs today!

Whether you are looking for a part-time job or a career path to head chef, Parkdean Resorts has all kinds of food and beverage jobs available. 

From White Cross Bay and all throughout Lake District and beyond, we are looking for chefs all across the UK. Browse the available Head Chef jobs and submit your application to get started on your own exciting career path. 

Related Chef Content

1. How to prepare for a Head Chef interview
2. Do you need qualifications to be a Commis Chef?
3. Why an entry-level chef job role at Parkdean is the perfect career move
4. What does a Sous Chef do?
5. An Insider Look at Parkdean’s Chef Jobs

FAQs

What are the responsibilities of a head chef?

Head Chefs lead the charge in a restaurant kitchen.

Here at Parkdean, our Head Chefs are at the heart of the action when it comes to crafting mouth-watering dishes, overseeing stock and budget, and inspiring their teams to deliver an unforgettable guest experience.

Our Head Chefs take a hands-on approach and lead in food prep, ensuring high standards are met. Head Chefs at Parkdean are also involved in training their team to keep service safe and seamless.

What is the difference between a chef and a head chef?

The difference between Chefs and Head Chefs is primarily in the level of responsibility and leadership role in the kitchen. Various different Chef roles fall under the “Chef” umbrella, for example:

• Sous Chef
• Chef de Partie
• Commis Chef (more of a junior role)

Each of these roles focuses on cooking up delicious meals, sometimes supervising a specific area of the kitchen.

Compared to these roles, Head Chefs oversee the entire kitchen operation, not just the cooking!