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- Tasks: Lead and support kitchen teams, ensuring quality food service across multiple sites.
- Company: Join Wilson Vale, a quality-led contract caterer known for fresh, seasonal produce.
- Benefits: Enjoy excellent work-life balance, free training, and enhanced maternity pay.
- Why this job: Perfect for chefs seeking creative freedom and a supportive, family-oriented environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in fresh food kitchens, strong leadership skills, and adaptability required.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and a commitment to inclusivity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
We are recruiting a passionate, friendly, and experienced Support Chef Manager to work as part of our Support Team for our sites based inMilton Keynes and Oxford, with occasional travel into London. Your standard work week will be based around 40 hours.
Do you love creating stunning restaurant-quality food and want a role with variety, stability, and a work-life balance you won’t find in hotels or restaurants?
Wilson Vale is an established, quality-led contract caterer. We work with amazing clients across the UK who place huge value on great food as a key part of their culture and community. We work in office restaurants, independent schools, and conference venues with the same high-end ethos throughout.
Our culture unites us. We stand for craft, quality, creative freedom, forward thinking, and integrity. We never compromise on our commitment to fresh, seasonal produce and the fantastic people that make it all happen!
The ideal candidate will have worked in a fresh food environment, ideally as a chef manager or head chef, and will enjoy the variety of working at different sites. Hotel or restaurant chefs looking for a better work-life balance often thrive in this role.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Cover for chefs and chef managers across various sites, ensuring seamless service and quality
- Prepare and serve imaginative, fresh, seasonal food to exceed expectations
- Lead and motivate kitchen teams with a “nothing is too much trouble” attitude
- Maintain high standards of presentation, service, and food safety
- Manage budgets, stock, ordering, and menu planning
- Build excellent relationships with clients, customers, and on-site teams
- Implement themed events, promotions, and innovative food ideas during cover periods
- Ensure all due diligence, hygiene, and health & safety records are maintained to the highest standard
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Proven experience in fresh food kitchens, ideally as a chef manager or head chef
- Strong cooking skills with the ability to adapt to different kitchens and teams
- Flexible and willing to travel to a variety of sites
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Proactive, organised, and calm under pressure
- Positive attitude and a commitment to delivering consistent quality
- Knowledge of food trends, service styles, and premium hospitality standards
OUR CULTURE:
- Craft at our core – we pride ourselves on our craft-skilled chefs who create wonderful fresh food from scratch.
- It’s all about the food – the menu is the most important document our chefs write every week.
- Quality, seasonal ingredients – 300+ British suppliers and our chefs can source locally.
- Freedom to create – our teams love to cook up exciting food themes and pop-ups to keep the food fun.
- Support like no other – our business was founded by family and we have stayed true to those same family values of nurturing development, protecting our values and building trust and loyalty.
- Making food that not only tastes great but is good for the planet. We have always had a strong environmental ethos and are dedicated to our social and environmental commitments.
- We believe in tailored training and opportunities to build your career with us.
WILSON VALE PERKS:
- Our working hours are some of the best you\’ll find in catering – we are strong believers in work-life balance
- Our working environment is fun and inspiring, with excellent career development opportunities
- Craft Works – Free craft-focused career development training programme
- Paid training bespoke to you
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme- your wellbeing is very important to us
- Online employee benefits scheme -monetary savings on everyday items!
- Your Birthday off every year after 1 years’ service.
- Fuel, Accommodation, and food expenses policy
- Enhanced Maternity Pay
Wilson Vale is an equal opportunities employer that strives to create an inclusive working environment for all. We are committed to supporting our people and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. From each and every person in our catering teams, to our operations and central support teams – everyone at has a voice.
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Support Chef Manager employer: Wilson Vale
Contact Detail:
Wilson Vale Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Chef Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Wilson Vale's values and offerings. Understanding their commitment to quality, craft, and local sourcing will help you align your passion for fresh food with their mission during any conversations or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in managing kitchen teams and working across multiple sites. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and maintained high standards in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Support Chef Manager position.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your creativity by thinking of innovative menu ideas or themed events you could implement. This will demonstrate your proactive attitude and ability to exceed client expectations, which is a key aspect of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the catering industry, especially those who have worked with Wilson Vale or similar companies. Building connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals, increasing your chances of landing the job.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in fresh food environments, particularly as a chef manager or head chef. Emphasise your leadership skills and adaptability to different kitchens.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for quality food and your commitment to high standards. Mention specific examples of how you've led kitchen teams and managed budgets effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, focus on your experience with seasonal produce and any innovative food ideas you've implemented. This will demonstrate your creativity and alignment with the company's values.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: Don't forget to mention your strong communication and organisational skills. Provide examples of how you've built relationships with clients and motivated your team in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wilson Vale
✨Showcase Your Culinary Passion
Make sure to express your love for cooking and fresh ingredients during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you've created or seasonal menus you've developed, as this will demonstrate your commitment to quality and creativity.
✨Highlight Leadership Experience
Since the role involves leading kitchen teams, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and experiences. Share instances where you've motivated a team or resolved conflicts, showcasing your ability to maintain a positive and productive kitchen environment.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
Given the nature of the job, it's important to convey your adaptability to different kitchens and teams. Discuss any past experiences where you successfully adjusted to new environments or worked under pressure, highlighting your proactive attitude.
✨Prepare Questions About Company Values
Research Wilson Vale's values and be ready to ask insightful questions about their commitment to quality, sustainability, and community. This shows that you align with their mission and are genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
