At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a culinary team to create innovative, nutritious menus for students.
- Company: Caterlink, a top UK school caterer focused on fresh food services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive hourly rate, term-time contract, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a people-first company that values fresh thinking and food education.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' dining experiences while enjoying work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef, strong leadership skills, and culinary qualifications preferred.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Belfast
Contract Type: Term Time
Salary: £18.00 per hour
Company: Caterlink
About Us
Caterlink is one of the UK’s leading school caterers, providing fresh, innovative food services exclusively to schools and colleges. We are a team of experienced professionals who tailor our catering provision to suit children of all ages and meet the bespoke requirements of each school. The safety and wellbeing of the pupils we serve is at the heart of everything we do. Through rigorous training, clear communication, and exceptional care, we ensure robust allergen management so that every mealtime is a safe and enjoyable experience.
The Role
We are seeking a passionate, hands-on Executive Chef / Head Chef to lead our culinary team at St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School. In this role, you will take full ownership of the kitchen, driving food standards, managing operations, and delivering outstanding, nutritious food experiences to pupils, staff, and visitors.
Key Responsibilities
- Culinary Leadership: Design and deliver fresh, innovative, and compliant menus that appeal to students while meeting nutritional guidelines.
- Kitchen Operations: Oversee daily food preparation, production, and service, ensuring the highest standards of presentation and quality.
- Team Management: Lead, motivate, and develop the kitchen team, managing rotas and fostering a positive working environment.
- Safety & Compliance: Maintain strict health and safety, food hygiene (HACCP), and impeccable allergen management protocols.
- Financial Control: Manage food costs, stock control, and wastage to ensure the catering service operates within budget.
What We Are Looking For
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef, ideally within a high-volume education, contract catering, or commercial environment.
- Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing and developing a kitchen team.
- Passion for fresh food and a strong understanding of current food trends and nutrition for young people.
- Excellent knowledge of Food Safety, Health & Safety, and Allergen legislation.
- Relevant culinary qualifications (e.g., NVQ Level 3 or equivalent) and Food Hygiene Level 3/4 is highly desirable.
Benefits
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the benefits of a Term-Time contract, offering excellent work-life balance around school holidays.
- Competitive hourly rate of £18.00.
- Ongoing training, career development, and progression opportunities within Caterlink.
Candidate Profile:
- Ideally, you will have experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef within a contract catering environment, preferably in independent education, or a high-profile business and industry setting.
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Passionate about fresh, quality ingredients and innovative menus.
- Excellent organisational, communication, and financial management skills.
- Knowledge of current food trends, sustainability, and allergen control.
Additional Information
We pride ourselves on:
- People first: We’re a company of individuals, united in doing our best for our clients.
- Great food, always: Using only the best ingredients, our food is fresh, authentic and tailored to each school, age group, and specific needs and preferences.
- Food education: We educate pupils through food, encouraging them to understand and develop their own personal tastes and make informed food choices.
- Respect in everything we do: Our respectful codes of conduct inform how we behave towards our clients and customers, suppliers and business partners, and each other.
- Fresh thinking: New ideas for food, service and ways of working help us maintain our position as creative leaders in school catering.
In order to be considered for this role you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity. It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for such roles. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check will be required for all successful applicants. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information. This search helps identify any issues that may affect suitability to work with children. This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.
Executive Chef / Head Chef in Belfast employer: Caterlink
Caterlink is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of both employees and the pupils we serve. With a term-time contract, you can enjoy a fantastic work-life balance while being part of a team that values fresh, innovative food and continuous professional development. Join us at St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School in Belfast, where your culinary expertise will not only shine but also contribute to the education and health of young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Chef / Head Chef in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in school catering. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, organise a tasting session or a demo of your cooking style. This is a great way to showcase your passion for fresh food and innovative menus directly to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s values and current menu offerings. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with their mission of providing nutritious meals and fostering a positive dining experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our company.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Chef / Head Chef in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for fresh, innovative food shine through. Share your culinary journey and how it aligns with our mission to provide nutritious meals for students.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you’ve led and developed kitchen teams in the past. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to motivate and manage a team effectively.
Be Compliant and Safety-Conscious:Make sure to mention your knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and allergen management. This is crucial for us, so show that you take these responsibilities seriously.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Caterlink
✨Know Your Menus
Before the interview, take some time to research and even draft a few innovative menu ideas that align with the nutritional guidelines for schools. This shows your passion for fresh food and your understanding of what appeals to young people.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your strong leadership skills and ability to foster a positive working environment.
✨Understand Food Safety Protocols
Brush up on your knowledge of food safety, health and safety regulations, and allergen management. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented these protocols in previous roles, as this is crucial for ensuring the wellbeing of the pupils.
✨Financial Savvy
Be prepared to talk about your experience with managing food costs and stock control. Have a few strategies in mind that you've used to minimise wastage and keep the catering service within budget, as financial control is key in this role.
