At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team, manage food prep, and ensure high-quality service in a school setting.
- Company: Accent Catering is a top UK contract caterer focused on innovative food solutions for schools and businesses.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, free meals, career development, discounts, and a great work-life balance.
- Other info: Work term time only with no late nights or weekends; DBS disclosure required.
- Why this job: Join an award-winning team that values your growth and passion for nutritious food for students.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management, excellent culinary skills, and a passion for food are essential.
The predicted salary is between 26500 - 36000 £ per year.
Are you looking for a Chef Manager role that offers career growth and a great work‑life balance? With term‑time hours and real opportunities to develop, join a company that supports both your ambitions and your lifestyle.
Chef Manager – Richmond TW9
£40,000 per annum. 40 hours per week Monday to Friday, term‑time only.
We’re ideally looking for someone to start on 1st August, so you can play a key role in setting up and mobilising the contract ahead of the September opening. With a fantastic newly built kitchen and a brand‑new team, this is a unique opportunity to make the role your own.
Responsibilities
- Oversee all culinary operations within the school, ensuring high‑quality food preparation and presentation.
- Maintain sanitation standards and ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety, and allergen management regulations.
- Manage kitchen staff, including training, scheduling, and performance management.
- Plan menus, manage inventory, control costs, and ensure customer satisfaction through exceptional food service.
- Support students’ learning and development by providing nutritious and delicious food, and inspire healthier lifestyles.
Qualifications
- Excellent craft skills and the ability to manage your own kitchen.
- Proven experience in managing, training, and leading a team.
- Creativity in developing theme days, pop‑ups, high‑end hospitality, and large events.
- Track record of continually improving standards.
- Ability to remain calm and efficient in a fast‑paced environment.
- Passion for food and delivering excellent service to clients and customers.
- Financial and budget awareness, with proven experience controlling food costs.
- Solid understanding of food safety, health & safety, and allergen management.
Benefits
- Competitive salaries with yearly reviews.
- Free meals on duty.
- Career development opportunities.
- Multiple discounts on the Accent Engage platform – shops, restaurants, gifts, leisure, and more.
- HIT apprenticeships for all experience levels.
- Team events, awards, and competitions throughout the year.
- Pension scheme, life insurance, and company sick pay.
- Work‑life balance: term‑time only work and no weekends.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme for mental health and financial support.
About Accent Catering
Accent Catering Services Ltd is one of the UK’s leading contract caterers, providing innovative food service solutions to Schools and Businesses. We create bespoke catering provisions tailored to each contract, valuing each 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. A DBS disclosure is required for this role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific culinary standards and health regulations that apply to school catering. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards in food safety.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed and developed a kitchen team in the past. Be ready to discuss your approach to training and motivating staff, as this is crucial for the Chef Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Accent Catering's values and mission, particularly their focus on nutritious food for children. Tailor your conversation during any interviews to reflect how your personal values align with theirs, which can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the school catering industry or join relevant online forums. Engaging with others in the field can provide insights into current trends and challenges, making you a more informed candidate when discussing your ideas during the interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your culinary skills and management experience. Emphasise any relevant roles where you led a team or improved kitchen standards, as these are key aspects of the Chef Manager position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your passion for food and your commitment to providing nutritious meals for students. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage a kitchen and lead a team effectively.
Showcase Your Achievements:Include specific examples of how you've improved food quality or customer satisfaction in previous roles. Quantify your achievements where possible, such as percentage increases in customer satisfaction or reductions in food waste.
Highlight Compliance Knowledge:Since the role involves health and safety compliance, mention any relevant training or certifications you have. This could include food hygiene certificates or experience with health and safety regulations in a kitchen environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Accent Catering
✨Showcase Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to discuss your craft skills in detail. Bring examples of your previous work, such as menus you've created or dishes you've prepared, to demonstrate your culinary expertise.
✨Highlight Team Leadership Experience
Since the role involves managing and training a team, share specific examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Nutrition
Accent Catering is focused on providing nutritious meals for students. Be ready to talk about your philosophy on healthy eating and how you can inspire young people to lead healthier lifestyles through food.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Understand the importance of food safety and health regulations. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen, including maintaining sanitation standards and completing necessary documentation.
