Careers

We’re always on the look out for talented, passionate people with a keen interest in food prep, production and in particular artisanal food craft. We offer excellent training, pay, and opportunities for development.

Position: Bagel Artist & Barista
Start: ASAP - June 2026
Location: Secret Smokehouse, 378 Mentmore Terrace, Hackney, E8 3PH

Type: Full-time
/Part-time - all to be discussed
Holiday: Pro-rata
Benefits: See below
Shift work: Yes
Weekend work: Yes
Job posting: 27th May 2026

THE VIBE CHECK
At Secret Smokehouse we don't do average. We do bold flavours, proper coffee, good energy - and we do it with a smile. We're revamping and launching a hot-to-trot bagel shop and we're building a crew that loves what they do. If that sounds like your kind of place, keep reading.

We want you smiley, hard-working and ready for the rush - but also the kind of person who preps smart, plans ahead and executes with style and ease. Busy shifts don't faze you; they fire you up.

WHO WE ARE
Secret Smokehouse produces the best smoked salmon in the UK for The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason and many top and Michelin Star chefs here in London. We're moving into the bagel & coffee space specialising in New York-style bagels and cracking coffee. We're all about giving people a unique and memorable grab n'go experience - fun, and wrapped in a genuinely warm atmosphere. We're growing fast, and we want passionate people along for the ride.

THE ROLE
As a Bagel Artist & Barista you're the heartbeat of our front of house. You'll be pulling killer espresso shots, stacking beautiful NYC-style bagel sandwiches and making every guest feel like a regular - all at the same time. No two shifts are the same, and we love it that way.

WHAT YOU'LL BE GETTING UP TO
▸ Crafting and serving exceptional hot and cold drinks - quality coffee, every single time.
▸ Building beautiful NYC-style bagels that look as good as they taste, to-go.
▸ Guiding guests through the menu, taking orders and handling payments quickly and accurately.
▸ Keeping the counter, coffee station and prep areas clean, organised and guest-ready.
▸ Staying on top of stock levels and flagging replenishments before we run out.
▸ Following UK health, safety and food hygiene guidelines - always, no shortcuts.
▸ Being a brilliant teammate - jumping in, communicating well and keeping the energy up.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
▸ At least 1 year of hospitality experience - barista, café or front-of-house, we're not fussy about the exact setting.
▸ Solid coffee knowledge: espresso, milk technique, the lot. Barista experience preferred.
▸ A personality that lights up a room - friendly, outgoing and genuinely good with people.
▸ The ability to multitask without losing your cool when it gets busy.
▸ Flexibility to work a mix of shifts including weekends (you don't have to work every one, but we need to know you can).
▸ Full or part-time availability - we'll make it work around the right candidate.
▸ A genuine love for bagels, great coffee and awesome vibes. This one's non-negotiable.

WANT TO GO FURTHER? SO DO WE
Progression isn't a maybe here - it's a promise. We hire for passion and we train for skill. Show us what you're made of and we'll invest in your growth, whether that's team leader, shift supervisor or something bigger. The next step is there if you want it.

THE GOOD STUFF
▸ Competitive pay from £12.71 per hour.
▸ Bagels. On the regular. Need we say more.
▸ A fun, supportive team built on good vibes and genuine teamwork.
▸ Real progression and development opportunities as we grow.
▸ Staff discount - because you should enjoy what you help create.
▸ Referral programme — bring a great mate, get rewarded.

Depending on the age & experience hourly rate vary. Each individual application will be looked at on a case by case and discussed at the interview stage.
Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience to careers@secretsmokehouse.co.uk by 25th June 2026.

 

Position: Commis Chef - Kitchen & Production Assistant
Start: ASAP - June 2026
Location: Secret Smokehouse, 378 Mentmore Terrace, Hackney, E8 3PH

Type: Full-time

Holiday: As per full-time pro-rata
Benifits: See below
Shift work: No
Weekend work: No
Job posting: 27th May 2026

THE VIBE CHECK
We don't do average. We make exceptional smoked salmon, and everything that comes out of our smokehouse has to match that standard. We're looking for someone who cares about the craft - someone who takes genuine pride in producing beautiful smoked fish, food, works clean, and brings good energy to the team every single day.

This isn't your standard kitchen gig. You'll be hands-on with some of the finest ingredients in the country, learning techniques that most chefs never get near - all from a railway arch in Hackney. If that sounds like your kind of place, keep reading.

WHO WE ARE
Secret Smokehouse produces arguably the best smoked salmon in the UK. You'll find us on the tables of The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, and some of London's most celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants - and we do it all from our arch in Hackney.

We're growing fast, we're passionate about what we do, and we want people on the ride who feel the same way. This is a place where the food is taken seriously, the team is tight-knit, and your skills genuinely grow.

THE ROLE
As Commis Chef, you're the engine of our production kitchen. You'll be working across every part of what we make - from our world-class smoked and cured salmon through to our bagels, fish cakes, fish pies and salad boxes. No two days are identical, the work is real, and the satisfaction of producing something genuinely excellent never gets old.

WHAT YOU'LL BE GETTING UP TO

  • Prepping and producing our full range of ready-to-eat products to a consistently high standard
  • Slicing, portioning, and presenting cured and smoked salmon with precision and care
  • Baking and assembling fish cakes, fish pies, and salmon bagels - the full spread
  • Maintaining immaculate hygiene and food safety standards, always - no shortcuts
  • Keeping the kitchen organised, clean, and running smoothly throughout your shift
  • Working closely with the wider team to hit production targets without compromising quality
  • Learning our curing and smoking techniques and building your knowledge as you go

WE'RE LOOKING FOR
You don't need a CV packed with Michelin stars. You do need to be:

  • Someone who takes real pride in producing great food, every time
  • Organised, efficient, and reliably punctual - a well-run kitchen depends on it
  • Comfortable with basic knife skills and food prep - further training provided
  • A brilliant communicator who works well as part of a team
  • Willing to learn, take direction, and develop your craft
  • Calm and focused when it gets busy - and it will get busy round festive period

A background in catering or professional kitchens is a bonus, but attitude and work ethic will always matter more to us.

WANT TO GO FURTHER? SO DO WE
We're a growing business with real ambitions - and we want our team to grow with us. If you bring the right attitude, we'll invest in your development through hands-on training in specialist techniques (curing, smoking, production at scale), industry courses, and exposure to the kind of top-tier food world that most kitchens can only dream about. Show us you're serious, and we'll back you.

THE GOOD STUFF

  • Competitive hourly rate - discussed and agreed at interview based on experience
  • 28 days holiday (including bank holidays, pro-rata)
  • Family meal - because you should love what you eat too
  • Bonus scheme
  • Wide range of training courses to build your knowledge and skills
  • Exposure to incredible producers, ingredients, and food events
  • A real team - close-knit, passionate, and genuinely good fun to work with

HOW TO APPLY

Sound like your kind of place? Send your CV and a short cover letter telling us why you're the right fit to:

careers@secretsmokehouse.co.uk

We review applications on a rolling basis and will be in touch as soon as possible. We'd love to hear from you.

 

SPECULATIVE APPLICATIONS

If you don't see a role which suits you here, please do submit an application if you are interested in working for us. Please detail the sort of role that you could flourish in because we are always keen to hear from articulate, like-minded people who understand the values of Secret Smokehouse brand. If you like the idea of being part of a dynamic and cohesive team that emphasises the collective over the individual, please send your CV to careers@secretsmokehouse.co.uk