According to new data from online staffing platform for temporary work Indeed Flex, temp chef hourly pay has risen by 11% on average, compared to 5% for other restaurant roles.
The highest jumps were in Cardiff (20%), Birmingham (16%) and York (13%) with London close to the average at 12%.
Flex’s analysis of tens of thousands of chef shifts posted on its platform also showed that the number of available temp shifts has doubled compared to 2021 and that over half of temp chefs are choosing to work more sociable hours than the late nights typically associated with their profession.
Such is the demand for professional cooks, chef job postings on Indeed Flex are up 97% on average across the UK compared to last year.
“Times have been tough for the hospitality industry ever since the pandemic began, and unfortunately it continues to wrestle with an acute shortage of staff,” says Indeed Flex CEO and co-founder Novo Constare.
“Intense competition among employers for skilled staff has driven up hourly pay rates for temp workers across the board. Chefs are especially sought after, and can reap big rewards with their expertise.”
Flex’s analysis tallies with anecdotal evidence that many chefs have switched from full-time staff roles to temping in recent years.
