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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to deliver top-notch food and service in schools.
- Company: Aspens Services Ltd is a leading contract catering company focused on school food.
- Benefits: Enjoy fantastic 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; experience with fresh ingredients and financial management is a plus.
- Other info: Commitment to safeguarding children is essential; enhanced DBS disclosure 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:
35 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?
£15.75 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 nutrition. This will not only help you stand out during interviews but also show your passion for providing exceptional food experiences for children.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the catering and education sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities at Aspens Services Ltd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing kitchen operations, including how you've successfully controlled costs and improved service standards in previous roles. Real-life examples will make a strong impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by highlighting any experience you have in training and motivating teams. Aspens is looking for someone who can inspire their kitchen staff, so be ready to share your approach to team development.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Chef Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with what Aspens Services Ltd is looking for.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV showcases your relevant experience in catering, particularly in school environments. Highlight your leadership skills, financial management abilities, and any specific achievements that demonstrate your capability to deliver high-quality food and service.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for providing exceptional food experiences and your commitment to the welfare of children. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate your ability to lead a team and manage catering operations effectively.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in the culinary field.
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 exceptional food experiences.
✨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.