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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 38 weeks off per year.
- Why this job: Join a fast-growing company with opportunities for career advancement and skill development.
- Qualifications: OND or HND preferred, with experience in fresh ingredients and financial management.
- Other info: Commitment to safeguarding children is essential; enhanced DBS check required.
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. 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 schools 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: 30 hours per week - with no late nights Working 38 weeks per year based around term time - what could you do with all that time off? £14.50 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 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 nutrition. Understanding what excites children about food can help you stand out during interviews, as you'll be able to discuss innovative ideas for menu development.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in school food services. Attend local food events or workshops to connect with others and gain insights that could be beneficial in your role as a Chef Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your financial management skills in detail. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed costs and driven sales in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Chef Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership abilities by preparing anecdotes about how you've developed and motivated teams in the past. Highlighting your experience in coaching and training will demonstrate that you're the right fit for leading a kitchen team.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly 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 is up-to-date and clearly outlines your relevant experience, particularly in catering and management. Highlight any specific achievements related to food quality, team leadership, and financial management that demonstrate your capability for this role.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for providing exceptional food and service in a school environment. Mention your understanding of health and safety practices and your experience with fresh ingredients, as these are key aspects of the role.
Showcase Your Creativity: Since the role requires flair and originality, consider including examples of menu development or promotions you have successfully implemented in previous roles. This will help illustrate your ability to drive sales and enhance the dining experience for students.
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 and achieved sales targets in previous positions.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Health and Safety Standards
Health and safety is 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 past roles will demonstrate your commitment to safety.
