Head Chef

Head Chef

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Caravan

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team and create delicious, globally inspired dishes.
  • Company: Join Caravan, an award-winning restaurant group with a focus on community and sustainability.
  • Benefits: Enjoy free meals, discounts, mental health support, and career development opportunities.
  • Other info: Embrace a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Be part of an exciting expansion and share your culinary passion with a vibrant team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in cooking fresh ingredients and managing a kitchen is essential.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

At Caravan, we share a love of mighty fine coffee, hand crafted good food and friendly vibes. Since 2010, we have built our award-winning restaurants and roastery as well as investing time, money and resources into initiatives that have a positive impact on the world around us. We believe in pushing boundaries and challenging perceptions, championing people, community, diversity, inclusion and sustainability.

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to invite a fun, talented, prolific Head Chef who knows how to lead, support & inspire a team, and who's passionate about cuisine and wants to share that passion with their team & guests. We would love to hear from you if you’ve got experience cooking fresh ingredients, managing a kitchen and you’re up for a new venture. It’s an exciting time to join us as we’re looking forward to expanding in the coming years, with new openings on the horizon.

To say thanks for choosing us, we also offer our Head Chef and all teams:

  • Free meals & drinks when working
  • Free dining when visiting with family & friends
  • Coffee discount
  • Bike to work scheme
  • Mental health and well-being support
  • Financial health education and support
  • Leadership training and development
  • Birthday & Anniversary Treat - on your birthday and on your work anniversary, you'll receive a Caravan voucher to spend in any of our restaurants.
  • Development and career progression, 80% of all our management roles are filled internally.

What you'll be doing as a Caravan Head Chef:

  • You’ll be serving up our ‘well-travelled’ food, which is inspired by flavours from our founders’ native New Zealand, as well as their global travels.
  • Support the restaurant team with our ‘Caravan of Love’ customer experience.
  • You will work with your General Manager to nurture and develop your team leading them from the front in every service.
  • You will be open to learning in order to develop your knowledge and skills and you’ll take ownership of your role and your kitchen.
  • We work with Fourth, FnB and Harri so it would be great if you have experience with these systems, although we can always show you the ropes if you haven’t.

Caravan Values:

  • We live by 4 core values. We expect our Head Chef and all our teams to live, promote and role model these values at all times;
  • Caravan of Love
  • No boundaries
  • Well-travelled
  • All welcome

Sustainability:

We expect our teams to support environmental stewardship targets and efficiency goals by following departmental environmental policies and monitoring own usage of vital resources such as energy, disposable goods, and food waste, to name a few.

Diversity & Inclusion:

All our teams must respect individual differences with regards to identity, national and cultural background, and level of experience in all interactions while at work, including with members of the public.

Compensation to be discussed.

Head Chef employer: Caravan

At Caravan, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant work culture centred around community, diversity, and sustainability. As a Head Chef, you will not only lead a passionate team in crafting exquisite dishes inspired by global flavours but also benefit from our commitment to employee growth through leadership training, internal promotions, and a range of perks including free meals, mental health support, and a bike-to-work scheme. Join us in our exciting journey of expansion and make a meaningful impact while enjoying a rewarding career in the heart of our award-winning restaurants.
Caravan

Contact Detail:

Caravan Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Chef

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, attend food festivals, or join local chef groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Head Chef position at a fab restaurant like Caravan.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or pop-up dinner to showcase your cooking style and creativity. This not only highlights your passion for cuisine but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to restaurants you admire, like Caravan. Express your interest in joining their team and share how you align with their values of sustainability and community.

✨Tip Number 4

Keep learning! Stay updated on culinary trends and techniques. Consider taking a short course or workshop to enhance your skills. This shows your commitment to growth and can make you stand out as a candidate ready to lead and inspire a kitchen team.

We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef

Culinary Skills
Team Leadership
Kitchen Management
Customer Service
Adaptability
Passion for Cuisine
Experience with Fresh Ingredients
Knowledge of Environmental Stewardship
Diversity and Inclusion Awareness
Experience with Fourth, FnB, and Harri Systems
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Training and Development
Creativity in Menu Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for cuisine shine through! Share your experiences with fresh ingredients and how you’ve inspired your team in the kitchen. We want to see that spark of creativity and passion that makes you a perfect fit for our Caravan family.

Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you’ll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've supported and developed your team in previous roles. We’re looking for someone who can motivate and inspire, so don’t hold back on those examples!

Embrace Our Values: Familiarise yourself with our core values: Caravan of Love, No Boundaries, Well-travelled, and Sustainability. In your application, reflect on how you embody these values in your work. We want to know how you can contribute to our friendly vibes and commitment to community and diversity.

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. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our Caravan team right from the start!

How to prepare for a job interview at Caravan

✨Know Your Flavours

Familiarise yourself with the culinary inspirations behind Caravan's menu. Be ready to discuss how you can incorporate fresh, well-travelled flavours into your dishes. Show your passion for cuisine and how it aligns with their ethos.

✨Team Leadership is Key

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire and support your team, as well as how you handle challenges during service. They want someone who can lead from the front!

✨Embrace Sustainability

Understand Caravan's commitment to sustainability and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their environmental goals. Share any previous experiences where you've implemented sustainable practices in the kitchen.

✨Get Familiar with the Tools

If you have experience with Fourth, FnB, or Harri, mention it! If not, express your willingness to learn. Showing that you're adaptable and eager to pick up new skills will impress them.

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