Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team, manage catering operations, and ensure top-notch food quality.
- 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 that values exceptional food and service for schools.
- Qualifications: OND or HND preferred, with experience in fresh ingredients and financial management.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and skill development through training and apprenticeships.
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: 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? £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 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 that align with the company's vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in school food services. Attend relevant events or join online forums where you can share insights and learn from others, which could give you an edge when discussing your experience and ideas.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your leadership skills by thinking of specific examples where you've successfully managed a team or improved kitchen operations. Being able to articulate these experiences will demonstrate your capability to lead and motivate a team effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Aspens Services Ltd thoroughly, including their values and recent initiatives. Tailoring your conversation to reflect their mission and showing genuine enthusiasm for their approach to school catering can make a lasting impression during your interview.
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 focus on achievements that demonstrate your capabilities.
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 any qualifications such as OND or HND, make sure to mention them prominently. Even if they are not essential, showcasing your educational background can strengthen your application.
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 quality and originality.
✨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 are crucial in catering. Make sure you can talk about your understanding of relevant practices and how you've ensured compliance in your previous roles. This will show that you take the welfare of students and staff seriously.
