At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team, create delicious menus, and ensure top-notch food quality.
- Company: Join Gather & Gather, a leading workplace catering expert in the UK and Ireland.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like personal development, private medical eligibility, and holiday purchase schemes.
- Why this job: Work Monday to Friday with a focus on creativity, teamwork, and great food culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for food hygiene and quality required.
- Other info: Regular social events and opportunities for recognition and awards await you!
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 45000 £ per year.
At Gather & Gather, we are known as one of the UK & Ireland's most distinctive workplace catering experts. We are passionate about great food and great coffee and putting our employees and customers at the heart of everything that we do. We are currently recruiting for a Head Chef to work with us in Watford.
Location: Watford
Rate of pay: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum
Working pattern: 40 hours per week, predominantly Monday - Friday working between 7am to 4pm
Key responsibilities:
- To prepare and oversee all preparation of food to the highest standard
- To produce food in a timely fashion to ensure smooth service to the customers
- To ensure that all appropriate ingredients are available for the menus
- To develop and plan menus that are in line with client and customer expectations
- To be creative when menu planning and including the client and customers
- Pride yourself on food quality and hygiene standards
- Overall responsibility for managing the kitchen team, managing a team of 2-4
- Provide feedback and coaching on performance
- To ensure that the kitchen team have completed up to date COSHH and Food Hygiene training
What's in it for you?
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Life assurance scheme
- Pension scheme
- Holiday allowance
- Private medical eligibility
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Family friendly support
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- A holiday purchase scheme
- Volunteering days
- Professional subscriptions
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK & Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef- Monday - Friday
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Gather & Gather's values and mission. Understanding their focus on great food and customer satisfaction will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your creativity in menu planning by preparing a few sample menus that reflect current food trends and client preferences. This will demonstrate your ability to innovate and cater to diverse tastes.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your leadership skills by discussing specific examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen teams in the past. Emphasise your experience in coaching and developing team members to enhance their performance.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your knowledge of food hygiene standards and COSHH regulations. Being well-versed in these areas will show your commitment to maintaining high safety and quality standards in the kitchen.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef- Monday - Friday
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and requirements for the Head Chef position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in food preparation, menu planning, and team management.
Showcase Your Culinary Skills: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your culinary skills and any creative menu ideas you have implemented in previous roles. Mention specific dishes or cuisines you excel in that align with the company's focus on great food.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Since this role involves managing a kitchen team, be sure to detail your leadership experience. Include examples of how you've coached and developed team members, as well as how you've maintained high standards of food quality and hygiene.
Personalise Your Application: Make your application stand out by personalising it. Mention why you want to work with Gather & Gather specifically, and how your values align with their commitment to putting employees and customers at the heart of everything they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨Showcase Your Culinary Creativity
As a Head Chef, creativity is key. Be prepared to discuss your approach to menu planning and how you incorporate client feedback into your dishes. Bring examples of past menus you've created that highlight your innovative flair.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
You'll be managing a kitchen team, so it's important to showcase your leadership abilities. Share experiences where you've successfully coached or developed team members, and how you handle conflicts or challenges within the kitchen.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Understanding food hygiene and safety standards is crucial for this role. Be ready to discuss your knowledge of COSHH and food hygiene training, and how you ensure compliance in your kitchen environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about how you would handle busy service times, ingredient shortages, or customer complaints, and be ready to articulate your thought process.