At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Academy's operations and create delicious chocolate solutions for customers.
- Company: Join the UK Chocolate Academy, a hub of creativity and excellence in chocolate.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, work in a fun environment, and develop your culinary skills.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: If you love chocolate and want to make an impact, this is the perfect role for you!
- Qualifications: Passion for chocolate, Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate, and NVQ Level 3 in Cookery or Patisserie.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
About The Role
The UK Chocolate Academy is a centre of excellence where customers come to be inspired, educated, and immersed in the world of chocolate. We are a small, dedicated, and hard‑working team looking for a passionate Junior Academy Chef to support us in delivering exceptional experiences. In this role, you’ll help us create chocolate solutions for a wide range of customers, assist with Academy operations, and contribute to the smooth running of courses, events, and day‑to‑day activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the day‑to‑day running of the Academy, including courses, customer visits, virtual events, filming, and sales team requests.
- Prepare the Academy ahead of customer visits, ensuring all spaces are fully set up and presentation‑ready.
- Deliver a high standard of customer service during courses and customer days, both front of house and behind the scenes.
- Assist in creating products for application testing, customer briefs, and project work.
- Prepare ingredients and equipment for courses, supporting in‑house chefs, guest chefs, customer days, offsite visits, and filming.
- Maintain a clean, organised Academy environment, ensuring equipment is safe and in good working order.
- Welcome and host visitors with professionalism, creating a positive and engaging experience.
- Prepare light lunches for customers.
- Conduct stock checks and place orders to maintain adequate supplies.
- Work independently, using initiative to manage tasks effectively.
- Support product testing activities, including chocolate and patisserie‑based applications.
About You
- Passionate about chocolate, pastry and bakery, with curiosity for industry trends.
- Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery or Patisserie (or equivalent).
- Strong communication skills and confident in customer‑facing environments.
- Organised, proactive, and able to manage time and priorities effectively.
- Calm under pressure, adaptable to changing schedules, and comfortable working independently.
- Positive, flexible team player with a willingness to support a wide range of tasks.
- Comfortable with manual handling and being on your feet for most of the day.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; hospitality experience is a bonus.
Diversity & Inclusion
At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong.
Junior Academy Chef in Banbury employer: Barry Callebaut Group
Contact Detail:
Barry Callebaut Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Academy Chef in Banbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Academy! Before your interview, dive into the world of chocolate and understand what makes the UK Chocolate Academy special. This will help you connect with the team and show your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since you'll be interacting with customers during courses and events, think of examples where you've delivered great service. This will help you shine in interviews and demonstrate your fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your organisational skills! Be ready to discuss how you manage your time and priorities, especially when things get busy. We love a proactive team player who can keep everything running smoothly.
✨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 our dedicated team at the Academy.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Academy Chef in Banbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Chocolate: When writing your application, let your love for chocolate and pastry shine through! Share any experiences or projects that highlight your enthusiasm and creativity in the kitchen. We want to see your personality and passion come alive on the page!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the Junior Academy Chef role. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with our key responsibilities, like customer service and organisation. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in joining our team.
Keep It Professional Yet Friendly: While we love a casual vibe, remember to maintain a professional tone in your written application. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well. A friendly yet polished approach will help us see you as a great fit for our dedicated team!
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 gives you a chance to explore more about who we are and what we do at the UK Chocolate Academy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barry Callebaut Group
✨Know Your Chocolate
Make sure you brush up on your chocolate knowledge before the interview. Familiarise yourself with different types of chocolate, trends in the industry, and any recent innovations. This will not only show your passion but also help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss your culinary skills and experiences in detail. Bring along a portfolio or photos of your previous work, especially any chocolate creations or pastries you've made. This visual evidence can really impress the interviewers and demonstrate your capabilities.
✨Practice Customer Interaction
Since this role involves a lot of customer-facing activities, practice how you would interact with customers. Think about how you would welcome visitors or handle questions during courses. Role-playing these scenarios can help you feel more confident and prepared.
✨Be Organised and Proactive
During the interview, highlight your organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks. Share examples of how you've successfully juggled responsibilities in the past. This will reassure the interviewers that you can handle the dynamic environment of the Academy.