At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, prepare and present delicious dishes, and supervise junior staff.
- Company: Join Center Parcs, a vibrant venue known for its fun atmosphere and tasty menu.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like a bonus scheme, discounts, and free access to leisure facilities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team in a lively environment with opportunities for growth and development.
- Qualifications: Previous kitchen experience, excellent communication skills, and a friendly attitude are essential.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
From a big platter of bacon sandwiches to a quick Mediterranean flatbread or our mouth-watering rotisserie chicken, you'll find plenty of tasty choice on the Sports Café menu. We're open from breakfast through to midnight and this is a busy, popular venue with the big games being streamed live onto our screens.
We are looking for a Kitchen Team Leader (Chef de Partie) to join our busy team. In this role, you will be responsible for preparing, cooking and presenting food to agreed company standards.
Excellent communication skills are required as you will provide general supervision and coaching to all junior staff, ensuring the personal development of the junior team. You will also deputise for the Assistant Kitchen Manager in their absence, supervising the unit chefs to maintain the smooth running of the kitchen.
Other responsibilities will include assisting with the management of the cost of sales for your unit through effective use of the company ordering system, stock and portion control and minimising food wastage.
Please note that to apply for a role with us, you must be able to reliably commute to Center Parcs Elveden Forest (IP24 3TR), as it is not easily accessible by public transport.
HOURS OF WORK
Working straight shifts, you will be contracted to work 150 hours per 4-week period on a flexible basis. This means that your days and hours of work could vary each week, but you will always receive at least your contracted hours each period. These shifts will fall between 7am and 11:30pm and will include working 3 out of 4 weekends. As our village is open 365 days of the year, your working hours will include public / bank holidays and during Christmas and / or New Year on a rota basis.
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Essential requirements:
- Ability to build relationships with colleagues
- Previous kitchen experience in a similar position
- Excellent communicator
- Naturally cheerful, patient and friendly
- Professional, approachable and calm under pressure
- Experience of ordering and stock control
ABOUT THE BENEFITS
Center Parcs is a fantastic place to work and the benefits are as impressive as they are unique. Here are just a few:
- Colleague Bonus Scheme
- Pension Scheme with Life Assurance
- Colleague Recognition and Reward Scheme - offering a choice of Center Parcs and High Street vouchers
- Free use of our leisure facilities
- Discounted Center Parcs breaks
- 20% discount in our restaurant and retail outlets
- Access to Perks at Work Portal - offering a wide range of retail and leisure discounts
- An Employee Assistance Program - providing support on financial, health and legal matters
- Excellent opportunities for career development and progression with the opportunity to gain externally recognised qualifications
If this sounds like your ideal job, then we'd love to see your application. Closing date: 22nd April 2025 at 12 Noon. Interviews to be held: Ongoing. Please note this vacancy may close at any time once sufficient applications have been received. Early submission of your application is therefore encouraged.
At Center Parcs, everyone's welcome. We recognise that we're all at our best when we're being ourselves. We are committed to building a culture that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want them to feel valued for their individuality, thrive in our business and share a sense of belonging. We place a lot of value on recruiting based on behaviours rather than prioritising qualifications or experience. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, please let us know if you require any support or reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process.
Kitchen Team Leader / Chef de Partie employer: Center Parcs
Contact Detail:
Center Parcs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Team Leader / Chef de Partie
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the menu and the types of dishes served at the Sports Café. Being able to discuss your favourite items or suggest improvements during the interview can show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in managing kitchen teams or mentoring junior staff. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a busy kitchen environment, as this is a key responsibility for the Kitchen Team Leader position.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your understanding of stock control and cost management. Be ready to discuss any previous experiences where you effectively managed food costs or reduced waste, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Since the role requires reliable commuting to Center Parcs Elveden Forest, ensure you have a clear plan for your journey. Mentioning your commute strategy during the interview can show your commitment and reliability.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Team Leader / Chef de Partie
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant kitchen experience, particularly in roles similar to a Kitchen Team Leader or Chef de Partie. Emphasise your communication skills and ability to supervise and coach junior staff.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and your experience in managing kitchen operations. Mention specific examples of how you've contributed to a team and maintained high standards in food preparation.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your skills in stock control, portion management, and minimising food wastage. These are essential for the role and will demonstrate your understanding of the responsibilities involved.
Show Your Availability: Since the role requires flexibility with working hours, make sure to mention your availability in your application. Highlight your willingness to work weekends, public holidays, and during busy periods like Christmas and New Year.
How to prepare for a job interview at Center Parcs
✨Showcase Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to discuss your previous kitchen experience in detail. Highlight specific dishes you've prepared and any techniques you excel at. If possible, bring a portfolio of your work or photos of your culinary creations to impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Qualities
As a Kitchen Team Leader, you'll need to show that you can supervise and coach junior staff effectively. Share examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past, focusing on your communication skills and ability to maintain a calm environment under pressure.
✨Understand Cost Management
Familiarise yourself with concepts like stock control and portion management. Be ready to discuss how you have previously managed costs in a kitchen setting and how you can contribute to minimising food wastage in this role.
✨Prepare for Shift Flexibility
Since the role involves working flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, be ready to discuss your availability. Show enthusiasm for the varied shifts and express your commitment to being a reliable team member who can adapt to the needs of the kitchen.