Kitchen Manager / Lead Chef **Hands-On Wedding Kitchen** **Tuscany** Seasonal **On-site** **Where: Castello di Ristonchi, Tuscany, Pelago** We are looking for a hands-on, grounded Kitchen Manager / Lead Chef to join us for the wedding season at our castle in Tuscany. Our kitchen is not about fine-dining prestige or hotel-style hierarchy. It’s about cooking honest food well, working closely as a team, and creating warm, meaningful experiences for couples and their guests over three-day wedding celebrations. **Who We Are** We are a values-driven castle that combines hospitality with **mindfulness, communication, and personal growth**.
Each season, we host internal workshops for staff focusing on **mindfulness, community, communication, and teamwork**, and we aim to create a work environment that feels supportive, respectful, and human — even during busy wedding days. **The Role** You will lead the kitchen during our structured **3-day wedding experience**: - Pizza night (including teaching guests in a relaxed, welcoming way)
- Panini lunch & wedding dinner
- BBQ & pasta night (teaching pasta) Your role is hands-on and present. You will: - Cook and lead during all services
- Guide and support a small kitchen team
- Make food orders and plan prep
- Keep track of food waste and efficiency
- Maintain a clean, organized, and calm kitchen
- Communicate clearly with events, bar, cleaning, and farm teams The wedding menu is already in place.
You’re welcome to adjust and improve it — or continue with last season’s menu if you prefer. **Who This Role Tends to Suit** This role often suits chefs who:



- Enjoy being present in the kitchen rather than behind a desk
- Appreciate structure and clarity
- Value teamwork, communication, and a calm working rhythm
- Are interested in personal growth and mindful ways of working
- Like seasonal work and community-style living **This Role Might Not Be the Right Fit If**
- You are looking for a luxury hotel or fine-dining position
- You prefer large teams, formal hierarchies, or corporate structures
- You want full creative control
- Teaching guests or working closely with other departments doesn’t appeal to you We believe clarity creates better matches — for everyone involved. **Our Values** We place great importance on: - Respectful communication
- Calm leadership under pressure
- Responsibility without ego
- Pride in your craft
- Supporting one another as a team **What We Offer**
- A seasonal Kitchen Manager / Lead Chef position in a unique Tuscan castle setting with potential to turn into a long term collaboration.
- Accommodation can be provided
- A supportive, value-driven environment
- Internal workshops focused on mindfulness, movement, and communication
- A kitchen with clear structure and realistic expectations **Details**:
40 hours a week, two days off Accommodation can be provided English is a must, Italian not required but highly desirable Must hold valid work visa or EU passport **Final Note** We care more about **fit, attitude, and presence** than long CVs or prestigious titles.
If this way of working resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Send your resume and a short bio about yourself to Pay: From €2,500.00 per month Work Location: In person

📌 Kitchen Manager / Lead Chef (Pelago)
🏢 Castello di Ristonchi
📍 Pelago