Christmas is coming… and your staffing plan should be too!

Christmas parties, corporate events, festive menus and full dining rooms can quickly put pressure on your kitchen team.

Booking Christmas chef and front of house cover early is the simplest way to take that pressure off. But before you pick up the phone, there are a few things worth sorting first.

Get these five right and your relief chefs, kitchen staff and event staff can hit the ground running from their first shift.

1. Book your relief chef cover early

December is the busiest month of the year for hospitality, and the best dates go first.

If you already know your party nights, big functions or extra services, let your relief chef agency know now. Even a rough list of dates helps us line up the right chefs for you.

You can always add or change shifts later. It’s much easier to adjust a booking than to find a chef the week before.

2. Know your numbers: chefs, kitchen staff and event staff

Work out how many people you need on each shift, and in which roles.

Think about the whole team, not just the chefs:

• Head chefs, sous chefs and chefs de partie

• Kitchen porters and catering assistants

• Waiting, bar and banqueting staff for events

A good catering staff agency can supply the full team, so you only need to make one call. Let us know your covers and service times and we can help you plan the numbers.

3. Budget for agency chef rates

Christmas cover is easier to approve when the costs are clear from the start.

When you ask for a quote, check:

• The hourly charge rate for each role

• Any minimum shift length

• Rates for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve

• What the rate includes, such as holiday pay and National Insurance

Ask your local branch for a clear quote before December, so you can plan your budget with no surprises.

4. Brief your temporary chefs before they arrive

A temporary chef can only work as fast as their briefing allows.

Before the first shift, send over:

• Your Christmas menu and any specials if required

• Allergen information and how you record it

• Start times, uniform and any kit they need to bring

• Parking, where to report and who to ask for

Ten minutes of prep means your temporary chef cover is up to speed from the first service.

5. Have a plan for short notice chef cover

Sickness, no-shows and last-minute bookings happen, especially in December.

Save your local branch number in your phone now, so you know who to call if someone drops out on the day. Our branches can often arrange short notice chef cover, and we’re used to finding staff quickly when plans change.

Book your Christmas chef cover with CSI

CSI is a specialist hospitality staffing agency, supplying chefs, kitchen staff and event staff to venues across the UK.

Whether you need one relief chef for a busy Saturday or a full team for a Christmas banquet, we can help. Find out more about our Christmas hospitality staffing.

Take the pressure off this Christmas and get in touch with your local branch today!

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Christmas chef cover FAQs

How far ahead should I book Christmas chef cover?

As early as you can. Most venues start booking in October and November. Send us your known dates now and add more as your bookings come in.

Can an agency supply a chef at short notice in December?

Yes, we regularly help with short notice chef cover. It depends on who’s available, so call your local branch as early as you can.

How much does a relief chef cost over Christmas?

It depends on the role, the location and the dates. Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve may be charged at a different rate. Ask your local branch for a quote.

Can you supply kitchen and event staff as well as chefs?

Yes. As well as relief chefs, we supply kitchen porters, catering assistants, and waiting, bar, banqueting staff, managers and cleaners for Christmas events. Click to find out more about our Christmas Hospitality Staffing.