The catering and hospitality sector in Northampton
- Head chef salary (August 2019) in Northampton: £31,987.12 a year / £15.38 per hour
- Sous chef salary (August 2019) in Northampton: £25,574.17 a year / £16.96 per hour
- Chef de partie salary (August 2019) in Northampton: £22,464 a year / £11.02 per hour
Lying between Birmingham and London, Northampton is one of the largest towns in England. As the county town of Northamptonshire, it’s also a key cultural and economic centre in the East Midlands.
For 900 years, the area has been a centre for the shoemaking industry, and the iconic Dr Martens brand is based in nearby Wollaston. Such is the prestige of the industry that Northamptonshire is still commonly referred to as the ‘shoemaking capital of the world.’ The local football team, Northampton Town FC, are even nicknamed “The Cobblers” in recognition of this illustrious trade.
It’s not all shoes, however. Carlsberg and Weetabix have bases in the county, while the world-famous Silverstone racetrack is only 25 minutes drive from the town. Dating back to 1235, Northampton’s market square is one of the oldest and largest in England — and has an eclectic offering of fresh produce, street food and antique knick-knacks.
Among younger generations, the town is perhaps most notable for being the birthplace of the UK rap artist, Slowthai. And for those in the know, Northamptonshire is home to an up-and-coming food and drink scene that’s beginning to make a name for itself.
For talented and highly skilled catering and hospitality professionals, wages in Northamptonshire are among the best in the region. According to our latest data, a head chef can earn over £31,000 annually, while a chef de partie can earn over £22,000 a year.
For chefs looking to expand their culinary repertoire, Northampton and the surrounding area is home to a number of training and upskilling opportunities.
Northampton’s food and drink scene is a good place right now. A number of hospitality and catering jobs are available across the town — from a head chef in a gastropub to a part-time catering assistant in a secondary school. There are also cultural and sporting various events taking place throughout the year, meaning seasonal employment opportunities are rarely in short supply.
