Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead culinary standards and create exciting new menus for school food experiences.
- Company: Aspens Services, a leading contract caterer focused on school food.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, unlimited career growth, and comprehensive learning programmes.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making a real impact on young minds through food.
- Qualifications: Experience in a senior culinary role with strong creativity and industry knowledge.
- Other info: Work in a compliance-led environment with a focus on quality and safety.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About us: Aspens Services is a market-leading contract caterer specialising in school food. We create fantastic food experiences that fuel young minds! By blending deep knowledge of the education sector with the latest food trends, we encourage creativity and excitement in every kitchen. Our commitment to quality care for both clients and children has fueled rapid growth, and we are looking for passionate people like you to join our journey.
The role: We are searching for a highly skilled and strategic Executive Chef to lead the culinary standards across our school sites. You will be instrumental in the rollout and launch of exciting new menus, using your expertise to ensure they are operationally sound, profitable, and genuinely delicious. You'll be the ultimate resource for our kitchen teams.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading the Rollout: Oversee the development and launch of innovative food offers, expertly balancing financial, operational, and consumer requirements.
- Trendsetting: Develop engaging food offers and marketing initiatives that keep us cutting-edge, profitable, and ahead of high-street trends.
- Mentoring and Coaching: Actively coach and develop Chefs and Unit Managers across your area on company standards, compliance, and policies related to food quality and safety.
- Driving Service Excellence: Guarantee that food standards, presentation and service are consistently immaculate, acting as a final point of escalation for customer issues.
- Driving Growth: Ensure our exceptional food offering increases sales and supports the retention of existing business.
- Compliance Expert: Uphold the strictest adherence to all company, client, and statutory regulations (H&S, hygiene, COSHH).
About you: You are currently working in a development or senior culinary role and are ready for a new challenge. You can demonstrate exceptional creativity and flair in the food you produce. You possess strong industry knowledge, constantly keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations. You have a strong understanding of budgets and costs and, crucially, the ability to effectively pass this financial knowledge on to your team. You have proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels, successfully driving company initiatives and engaging diverse audiences. You are highly experienced in working within a compliance-led environment, emphasising the importance of rigorous policies and procedures.
Why Join the Aspens Family? Join one of the UK's fastest-growing independent businesses where our people are truly at our core. Unlimited Career Growth: The opportunity to develop your career is endless. We offer fantastic Learning & Development programmes that include the ability to gain qualifications while receiving comprehensive support.
40 hours per week, 38 weeks per year, £18 per hour, plus car allowance. 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.
Executive Chef employer: Aspens Services
Contact Detail:
Aspens Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, especially those who might have insights into Aspens Services. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to meet with the hiring team, bring along a portfolio of your best dishes or menu ideas. This is your moment to shine and demonstrate how you can elevate their food experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for a taste test! If you’re invited for an interview, there’s a good chance they’ll want to see your culinary skills in action. Brush up on your signature dishes and be ready to impress with your cooking prowess.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Aspens family and contributing to our mission of creating fantastic food experiences.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and creativity shine through! Share specific examples of how you've created exciting dishes or menus in the past. We want to see your culinary flair!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As an Executive Chef, you'll be leading teams and mentoring others. Make sure to include experiences where you've successfully guided kitchen staff or implemented new standards. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and elevate our teams!
Be Clear on Compliance: Since we operate in a compliance-led environment, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of health and safety regulations. Mention any relevant certifications or experiences that showcase your commitment to maintaining high standards.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspens Services
✨Know Your Culinary Trends
Make sure you’re up-to-date with the latest food trends and innovations. Research what’s currently popular in school catering and be ready to discuss how you can incorporate these trends into your menus. This shows your passion for the role and your commitment to keeping the offerings fresh and exciting.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you’ve mentored chefs or improved kitchen operations. Being able to demonstrate your leadership style and how it aligns with Aspens Services’ values will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Understand Financials
Brush up on your budgeting and cost management skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed food costs in previous roles and how you plan to ensure profitability while maintaining high culinary standards. This is crucial for the Executive Chef position, so show them you’ve got it covered!
✨Emphasise Compliance Knowledge
Since the role requires strict adherence to health and safety regulations, prepare to talk about your experience in compliance-led environments. Highlight any specific policies you’ve implemented or followed, and how you ensure your team understands and adheres to these standards.
