At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create delicious meals and manage catering operations.
- Company: Join a fast-growing company with a focus on quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy fantastic hours, competitive salary, and time off during school holidays.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' dining experiences while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking, team leadership, and financial management required.
- Other info: Great opportunities for career growth and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
Job Introduction
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 You\’ll also benefit from:
- 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?
- £28,000 to £30,000 per annum
- 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 expect all staff to share our commitment of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people so an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company.
Job Introduction
As the Lead Chef you will work with the Catering Manager and the team for the 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.
Main Responsibilities
- 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
- Overseeing menu development
- Maintaining company systems & procedures, and legislation
- Carrying out regular audits to ensure standards are being met
The Ideal Candidate
We need someone who shares our passion for delivering exceptional food and service to our schools along with the following skills and experience:
- Craft-based experience using fresh ingredients
- Knowledge of health and safety practises
- Financial understanding of gross profit management and achieving sales targets
- Line management experience
- Experience within a similar environment
Lead Chef employer: Aspens Services Ltd
Contact Detail:
Aspens Services Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, catering managers, or anyone in the industry. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Lead Chef position. Plus, it’s a great way to get insider info on what the company is really like.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary flair! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t just talk about your experience—bring some of your creativity into the conversation. Share ideas for menu development or how you’d drive sales through promotions. Let them see your passion!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and think about how your skills align with their goals. Be ready to discuss how you can maintain high food and service standards while managing costs. Confidence is key, so practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, get your application in and let’s make your Lead Chef dreams a reality!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for cooking and creating delicious meals shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for delivering exceptional food and service, so share any relevant experiences or inspirations that fuel your passion.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Lead Chef, you'll be guiding a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience in your application. Talk about how you've motivated and developed others in the kitchen, and any successful projects you've led that demonstrate your ability to manage a team effectively.
Be Specific About Your Experience: We’re looking for someone with craft-based experience and knowledge of health and safety practices. Be specific in your application about your previous roles, the types of cuisine you’ve worked with, and any achievements related to food quality and service standards.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with our fast-growing company!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspens Services Ltd
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fresh ingredients and how to use them creatively. Be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you can bring flair and originality to the school’s menu.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Chef, you'll need to lead and motivate your team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past, focusing on coaching and developing others to achieve high standards.
✨Understand the Numbers
Familiarise yourself with financial management, especially around gross profit and cost control. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve previously driven sales through promotions or events, and how you plan to do this in the new role.
✨Commitment to Safety
Since safeguarding is crucial, be ready to talk about your knowledge of health and safety practices in the kitchen. Share any experiences where you ensured compliance and maintained high standards for food safety.