Regional Development Chef in Peterborough

Salary: Up to £55K plus bonus and mileage

Location: Midlands, Cambridgeshire and South Yorkshire

Are you a creative Development Chef with a passion for innovation and great food? People are the most important ingredient in our business recipe, and we are currently looking for an exceptional Regional Development Chef to work within our school and B&I sites, who truly understands what it takes to be a Best Employer company and how they can contribute to that success. We are looking for that ‘can do’ attitude that supports our enviable track record for outstanding food.

Reporting to the Regional Director with a dotted line to the Culinary Director, you will be working with the team to achieve innovative and high-quality food in line with Accent Catering Services' values. The successful candidate will have previous experience of working across multiple sites and be formally trained as a Chef with considerable experience at Head Chef or senior level. You will be able to demonstrate an overall understanding of how to manage great food standards, help motivate and develop our people, innovate and assist in developing the food offer whilst also considering costs and business challenges. You will exhibit strong financial skills, be prepared to travel, be a team player and be able to produce innovative and seasonal food. You will be passionate about working in the education & B&I sectors.

In return we offer a competitive salary plus bonus scheme, mileage, pension, life assurance, healthcare package and a strong focus on your work life balance. The ideal candidate will be based in the East Midlands, ideally within easy reach of Nottingham, Derby or Leicester to ensure effective coverage across our operational regions. The role requires regular travel to key locations including Doncaster, Peterborough and the West Midlands, so candidates must be well positioned to access these sites with ease. Our company has a passion for food quality and people development, so this is a great place for you to progress a career in the food industry. If you’re looking for an employer that will invest in your career and support your progression, apply today and take the next step in your catering career with us!

Why join our Development team?

• Competitive salaries with annual review
• Annual performance bonus
• Private medical insurance
• Life insurance, company sick pay and pension
• Career development opportunities and study support
• Multiple Discounts on our Accent Engage platform - shops, restaurants, gifts, leisure and more!
• Team events, awards and competitions throughout the year
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for mental health and financial support

What you'll be doing:

• Be the food standards guardian and work with our Chef and Unit managers to ensure an exceptional standard of quality and presentation is maintained, along with compliance of all food policies.
• Be on hand to offer troubleshooting at locations which require additional support.
• Support the business with high-level hospitality and events.
• Coach and develop other chefs to ensure the company's food standards, compliance and health and safety requirements are met at all times.
• Ensure high standard of presentation, taste and value for money are achieved to help maintain and improve the number of pupils purchasing meals.
• Look at food trends and initiatives to develop recipes that are appealing for the market, ensuring they are of high quality and profitable.
• Ensure all Food Hygiene and Health & Safety policies and allergen control procedures are followed.
• Complete food costings and company bookwork as required.
• Work with the operations and unit team to mobilise new sites and to cover existing sites.

The role is predominantly Mon-Fri daytime hours but there is a requirement to work in the evening on an adhoc basis and the occasional weekend to meet business demands as required. You will be given time off in lieu or paid overtime in these circumstances.

What you will bring:

• Considerable experience in a highly skilled food role.
• Broad food industry knowledge from volume catering to fine dining/hospitality.
• Ability to adapt to change and have a flexible approach.
• Extensive knowledge of external catering and food innovation.
• A genuine interest in food and a passion for working within the B&I & education sectors.
• Excellent client relationship skills.
• Innovation and passion for great food.
• Extensive experience and strong financial understanding of finances and budgets.
• Strong communicating skill and ability to adapting style to difference audience and levels.
• Experience of working in a compliance environment.
• An all-round team player and leader.
• Relevant catering qualification or equivalent experience.

Who are Accent Catering?

Accent Catering Services Ltd are one of the UK’s leading contract caterers, providing innovative food service solutions to a variety of schools and businesses. We are a talented team of professionals who create bespoke catering provisions tailored to each contract - no two are the same. As an independently owned company, you’ll never be just another number to us. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we take pride in recognising every individual’s contribution. Accent Catering is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. Please note that an enhanced DBS disclosure is required for this role. Accent Catering has regularly been recognised in The Caterer’s prestigious awards as one of the best places to work in hospitality. Don’t miss your chance to become part of our award-winning team!

The Company treats personal data collected during the recruitment process in accordance with its data protection policy. Information about how your data is used and the basis for processing your data is provided in the Company's privacy notice which can be found on our website.