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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create amazing food experiences for students.
- Company: Aspens Services Ltd is a top contract catering company focused on school food.
- Benefits: Enjoy Monday to Friday hours, no late nights, and generous time off during school holidays.
- Why this job: Join a fast-growing company with opportunities for career advancement and skill development.
- Qualifications: OND or HND preferred, with experience in fresh ingredients and financial management.
- Other info: Commitment to safeguarding children is essential; enhanced DBS check required.
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Aspens Services Ltd is a market-leading contract catering company specialising in school food. By combining our understanding of the education sector and our knowledge of what\’s on trend in the food world, we encourage creativity and excitement in our kitchens, allowing our teams to do what they do best and provide fantastic food experiences for the children.
By providing excellent care and services to both clients and children, we have ensured the successful growth of the company, and to keep up with the rapid pace of this growth, we are now looking for an experienced Chef Manager to join the team.
The role:
As the Chef Manager, you will have full operational and financial responsibility for your school\’s catering facility, focusing on delivering the highest quality of food and service as well as having the flair, originality and the ability to make this one of the best school catering offers in the area.
Your responsibilities will include:
Leading, developing, coaching, training, and motivating the team in your kitchen
Having full control of the catering operation, including stock, food, and labour costs
Ensuring consistency of food and service standards delivered to the students and staff
Driving sales through monthly promotions and added-value events
Managing and improving all controllable costs
Maintaining company systems & procedures, and legislation
Carrying out regular audits to ensure standards are being met
About you
We need someone who shares our passion for delivering exceptional food and service to our schools along with the following skills and experience:
OND or HND qualified (not a deal-breaker, but would be advantageous)
Craft-based experience using fresh ingredients
Knowledge of health and safety practices
Financial understanding of gross profit management and achieving sales targets
Experience within a similar environment
Firstly, fantastic hours. You\’ll work Monday to Friday during school term time, meaning more time with friends and family and no working at Christmas!
This role is:
40 hours per week, with no late nights
Working 39 weeks per year based around term time – what could you do with all that time off?
£16 per hour
You\’ll also benefit from:
Working for a fast-growing, ambitious company. There is no ceiling here in terms of where you can take your career
A dedicated L&D team to support you in developing your skills, including apprenticeships and training courses that are available for everyone.
Please note, we do expect all staff to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people, and an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company.
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Chef Manager employer: Aspens Services
Contact Detail:
Aspens Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in school catering and food service. Understanding what excites children about food can help you stand out during interviews, as you'll be able to demonstrate your creativity and knowledge of the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the catering and education sectors. Attend local food events or workshops where you can meet people who work in similar roles. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals for the Chef Manager position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with managing costs and driving sales. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed budgets or implemented promotions in previous roles, as this will show your financial understanding and operational capability.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Aspens Services Ltd thoroughly. Understand their values, mission, and the specific challenges they face in school catering. Tailoring your conversation to align with their goals will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in catering and management. Emphasise any roles where you led a team or managed a kitchen, and include specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to deliver high-quality food and service.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food and service in schools. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Chef Manager role, such as managing costs and leading a team. Use specific examples to illustrate your points.
Showcase Your Creativity: Since the role requires flair and originality, consider including a section in your application that outlines your ideas for menu development or promotional events. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and creativity in catering.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have an OND or HND qualification, make sure to mention it prominently. Even if it's not a deal-breaker, showcasing your formal training can strengthen your application. Also, include any certifications related to health and safety practices.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspens Services
✨Showcase Your Culinary Passion
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for food and cooking during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've used fresh ingredients creatively in past roles, as this aligns with the company's focus on quality and originality.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your experience in coaching and motivating kitchen staff. Highlight any successful training programmes you've implemented or how you've improved team performance in previous positions.
✨Understand Financial Management
Since the role involves financial responsibility, brush up on your knowledge of gross profit management and cost control. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and driven sales in past catering roles, as this will show your capability to handle the operational side of the job.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Health and Safety Standards
Health and safety are crucial in any kitchen environment. Make sure you can talk about your understanding of relevant legislation and practices. Providing examples of how you've maintained high standards in previous roles will demonstrate your commitment to safety and quality.
