The catering and hospitality sector in Maidstone
- Head chef salary (September 2019) in Maidstone: £35,000 a year / £18.27 per hour
- Sous chef salary (September 2019) in Maidstone: £31,200 a year / £16.96 per hour
- Chef de partie salary (September 2019) in Maidstone: £24,100 a year / £12.33 per hour
Maidstone, the county town of Kent, lies at the centre of the Garden of England. Quaint and bustling in equal measure, the Maidstone area provides the best of both worlds.
In the romantic villages of Headcorn, Marden, Lenham and Yalding just outside of Maidstone, visitors can enjoy a peaceful afternoon exploring orchards, waterways, hop gardens and tea rooms. Back in the thriving town centre, a host of cultural and dining pursuits keep people entertained throughout the week.
If you live in Maidstone, you’ll always be close to the green and pleasant countryside surrounding the town. Adventurous types can hike the chalky ridge of the Kent Downs AONB on the North Downs Way or challenge themselves on the pilgrimage trail that links Rochester to Canterbury. With a landscape of rolling hills and winding rivers, keen cyclists will also have a rural playground on their doorstep. Sip tea or sup a pint in the picture-postcard villages of Lenham, Marden, Headcorn and Yalding.
There’s also plenty of history to get stuck into. The mighty towers of Leeds Castle stand guard over a glimmering lake. Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery hosts a 2,700-year-old Egyptian mummy. The regal, 14th-century Archbishop’s Palace straddles the River Medway. And the town is dotted with hotels, townhouses, cafes and pubs that range from a number of eras.
As Kent’s capital, there’s plenty going on in Maidstone throughout the year. With outdoor music festivals, food festivals and air shows, as well as a whole host of events at the Kent Event Centre (including the annual County Show), life in Maidstone is far from dull.
Whether you’re an experienced head chef or a part-time barista, there are plenty of opportunities for catering and hospitality work in Maidstone. And with cultural and sporting events frequently taking place, seasonal employment is readily available too.
Salaries are also among the most competitive in Southeast England. According to the latest Blue Arrow data, a head chef can earn around £35,500 annually, while a sous chef can earn over £27,230 a year.
And for ambitious chefs looking to upskill, the Maidstone area is home to a host of training opportunities, including Hospitality & Catering Study Programmes that are held at MidKent College’s Maidstone and Medway campuses. Alternatively, if you find work with a Blue Arrow employer, you may be able to join a Blue Arrow Apprenticeship programmes.
