Overall, average hourly pay for temporary chefs has risen by 11% while the number of available temporary shifts has doubled compared to 2021, according to Indeed Flex.
Furthermore, chef job postings on the recruitment website are up 97% on average across the UK compared to last year.
Meanwhile, more than half (57%) of chefs taking shifts via the website are opting to work more sociable hours such as a conventional 9 to 5 schedule compared to the 43% who work late nights.
Area breakdown
Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show the hospitality industry currently has 146,000 vacancies however, this is down from record levels (173,000) seen earlier in the summer.
Cardiff was one area where the change in hourly pay rate for chefs hit 20% while in Birmingham it was 16%.
York was at 13% while the change for London, Liverpool and Warrington was 12% for each location.
Intense competition
Indeed Flex CEO and co-founder Novo Constare said: “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.
“Intense competition among employers for skilled staff has driven up hourly pay rates for temp workers across the board. Chefs of all types are especially sought after and can real big rewards with their expertise.
“Meanwhile for businesses struggling to recruit full-time staff, being able to turn to temporary workers has proved a lifeline – as it enables them to fill shifts as and when required.
“They can also scale their workforce up and down, depending on when they are busiest. For the chefs themselves, flexible work offers a chance to do something not everyone in their profession can – work sociable hours and choose exactly when they want to work.”