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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
18 Apr 2026
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Description
CHEF NEEDED!
Hello! I'm Jamie, an English guy running a cycling-focused guest house in the beautiful French Pyrenees, in Villelongue, close to the most famous Tour de France climbs. I would love to share these mountains with you over the course of a summer season. I offer fully catered cycling holidays, both guided and self-guided, and for road and gravel cycling. I host groups of up to 12 riders in an old farmhouse. I provide their airport transfers, routes, breakfast, dinner and homemade ride snacks. I love what I do and - though it's a cliché - I really feel like all our guests leave as friends. My ethos is 'nothing is too much trouble' and the guest experience is everything. This is my livelihood, business and passion, so I work hard and set high standards.
This area is amazing for any outdoors lifestyle and offers exceptional opportunities for cycling, hiking, trail running, climbing and river sports. The road cycling is world famous and the Tour de France will pass very close again this year. Revered climbs such as the Col du Tourmalet, Hautacam, Luz Ardiden and Col du Soulor are all within 10km. The mountain biking is equally celebrated, with the Enduro World Series and UCI Downhill World Cup both visiting Lourdes many times over the years, plus great lift-served MTB parks in several of the ski areas. Less well known is the XC and gravel riding which is sensational as it uses lots of the nordic ski trails and often goes much higher than the roads. Look up Pic du Midi de Bigorre and see for yourself!
I am looking for a chef from late May to mid October, or part of that.
This is a PAID placement and proper employment in line with all French laws and regulations. The pay rate is €12.02/hour and a fixed-term contract will be provided. Hours will be recorded, pay slips issued, social security paid and pension contributions made. Payment will be by bank transfer only. You must have the right to work in France. If you are from outside the EU, you need the correct visa and additional permits must be obtained on both sides.
If you love the mountains and enjoy the satisfaction of contributing to people having a great time on holiday, I think you would really enjoy working here. You get to eat with the guests, there's a lot of free time, and it's always a great vibe.
This is my fourth summer of using Workaway and it has been amazing. I've hosted loads of brilliant people and everyone has really made the most of the opportunity to explore these beautiful mountains.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Mountain
Photography
Music
Books
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Politics / Social justice
Writing
Winter sports
Adventure sports
Fitness
Cycling
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Learn English/French, explore, hike, cycle, run, swim, kayak, climb…
I am based in the heart of the Pyrenees and you will have a big chunk of each day free, plus a few days off when we don't have guests in the house, so you will have every opportunity to make the most of being here, whatever that looks like to you.
If you're a cyclist yourself, I will be very happy to ride with you and show you all of our favourite routes, with rides tailored to your fitness level. I can also share hiking and trail running routes. I have a home gym that you're welcome to use, too.
Equally, if you would like to spend your time relaxing in the garden, enjoying the tranquility of our quiet village, of course you could do that.
I have a small electric car that I allow Workawayers to use to explore the area, so you can get around easily.
Whatever the mountains mean to you, I would love to help you maximise your experience here.Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Help
I'm looking for a chef, preferably with professional experience and training.
This role is exclusively about preparing dinner for up to 15 people. We provide guests with a set menu three-course dinner each night. We aim for restaurant quality with a sports nutrition twist to best support a big week of cycling. I call it 'sports bistro'. Essentially that means low fat, high carbs and big portions! As chef, you will be responsible for planning the meals, doing the grocery shopping, and preparing the dinners.
I have a small electric car for you to use for the grocery shopping and also for leisure, to make sure you get to see the best of this amazing region.
I'm very organised, so I will make sure you always have the information you need about how many guests per night and what dietary restrictions anyone may have, and I'm always available to ask questions.
This is a PAID placement and proper employment in line with all French laws and regulations. The pay rate is €12.02/hour and a fixed-term contract will be provided. Hours will be recorded, pay slips issued, social security paid and pension contributions made. Payment will be by bank transfer only. You must have the right to work in France. If you are from within the EU, this is automatic. If you are from outside the EU, you need the correct visa and additional permits must be obtained on both sides.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
Your accommodation will be a modern caravan in the garden with mains power and access to a shared bathroom.
You will be welcome to eat with us and share the food prepared for the guests. All your food and drink is provided.
Your only expenses during your stay will be your days out, and most of the best activities don't cost anything - outside is free!
What else ...
If you fly here, I can collect you from Lourdes airport, which is just 25 minutes away. If you drive here, there is plenty of parking. By train, Lourdes station is only 15 minutes away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Great WiFi with lots of options of places to work from, including outside.
Space for parking camper vans
No limit. Lots of parking.
Can possibly accept pets
Well behaved and socialised pets welcome.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (4)
The food Ricky prepared was fantastic. I've hosted trained professional chefs in the past and Ricky's dishes were right up there with the… read more
The gratitude I feel—for the lessons learned, the nature explored, the people met and served, the skills gained—is hard to put into words.
Jamie not only made sure I was well taken care of, but also gave me a true taste of what it means to be of service to… read more
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Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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The food Ricky prepared was fantastic. I've hosted trained professional chefs in the past and Ricky's dishes were right up there with the… read more
The gratitude I feel—for the lessons learned, the nature explored, the people met and served, the skills gained—is hard to put into words.
Jamie not only made sure I was well taken care of, but also gave me a true taste of what it means to be of service to… read more
