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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 Monday to Friday hours, no late nights, and generous time off during school holidays.
- Why this job: Join a creative environment where you can make a real impact on children's dining experiences.
- Qualifications: OND or HND preferred; experience with fresh ingredients and financial management is a plus.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and professional development through training and apprenticeships.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 27000 £ per year.
About Us: 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.
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
- Overseeing menu development
- 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 practises
- Financial understanding of gross profit management and achieving sales targets
- Line management experience
- Experience within a similar environment
Why join us? 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? £25,000 - £27,000 per annum.
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 of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people and an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company.
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. This will not only help you understand what Aspens Services Ltd values but also allow you to showcase your creativity during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the education and catering sectors. Attend relevant events or join online forums where you can connect with others who share your passion for school food, as this could lead to valuable insights and recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing kitchen teams and controlling costs. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully led a team or improved operational efficiency in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your suitability for the Chef Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Aspens Services Ltd's mission and values thoroughly. Understanding their commitment to exceptional food and service will help you align your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
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 specific responsibilities and skills required for the Chef Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your relevant experience, particularly in kitchen management, financial understanding, and team leadership. Use bullet points for clarity and include quantifiable achievements where possible.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for providing exceptional food and service in a school environment. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen or led a team, and why you want to work with Aspens Services Ltd.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have an OND or HND qualification, make sure to mention it prominently in your application. Also, discuss any craft-based experience using fresh ingredients and your knowledge of health and safety practices, as these are key to the role.
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 staff. Highlight any successful initiatives you've implemented to improve team performance or morale.
✨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 in previous positions and driven sales through promotions.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Health and Safety Standards
Health and safety are crucial in catering. Make sure you can talk about your understanding of relevant practices and legislation. Providing examples of how you've maintained high standards in previous roles will demonstrate your commitment to safety.
