Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire kitchen teams to deliver exceptional food experiences in schools.
- Company: Aspens Services Ltd, a leader in school catering with a focus on creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy Monday to Friday hours, no late nights, and generous time off during school holidays.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through fantastic food and service.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering, a driving licence, and a passion for fresh ingredients.
- Other info: Join a fast-growing company with endless career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Aspens Services Ltd is a market-leading contract catering company specialising in school food. By combining our understanding of the education sector with our knowledge of what's on trend in the food world, we encourage creativity and excitement in our kitchens. This allows 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 a Relief Chef Manager to join the team.
The role
As the Relief Chef Manager, you will support the catering facility for schools within your region, assisting with operational and financial performance. You will focus 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 teams in your kitchens
- Supporting 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)
- Driving licence
- 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, we offer 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 37.5 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?
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 so an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company.
Relief Chef Manager in Southampton employer: Aspens Services
Contact Detail:
Aspens Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Relief Chef Manager in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in school food services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary flair! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, bring along some examples of your work or even a portfolio of your best dishes. It’s all about making a memorable impression!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to Aspens Services Ltd and express your interest in the Relief Chef Manager role. Sometimes, a little initiative goes a long way.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep it casual but professional during interviews. Show your passion for delivering exceptional food and service, and don’t forget to highlight your experience with fresh ingredients and financial management. We want to see the real you!
We think you need these skills to ace Relief Chef Manager in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through! We want to see how you can bring creativity and excitement to our kitchens, so share any relevant experiences or ideas that showcase your flair.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the Relief Chef Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing teams, controlling costs, and delivering high-quality service. We appreciate when candidates take the time to align their skills with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We want to understand your qualifications and experiences without having to sift through unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspens Services
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in school catering and be ready to discuss how you can incorporate fresh ingredients into your menus. Show that you understand the importance of nutrition and creativity in food preparation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led and motivated teams in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your coaching style and how you can develop others in a kitchen environment, as this is key for the Relief Chef Manager position.
✨Understand Financials
Brush up on your knowledge of gross profit management and cost control. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets or driven sales through promotions in past roles, as financial understanding is crucial for this job.
✨Commitment to Safety
Demonstrate your knowledge of health and safety practices in the kitchen. Be ready to talk about how you ensure compliance with legislation and maintain high standards, as safeguarding children’s welfare is a top priority for the company.