At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team, creating nutritious meals for Service Personnel.
- Company: Join a supportive team at Cawdor Barracks with a focus on quality and safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, gym access, discounts, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and thrive in a culture that values your unique talents.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a structured environment while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef, with strong team management skills.
The predicted salary is between 33909 - 33909 € per year.
We’re recruiting a Head Chef for a new role at Cawdor Barracks, leading a catering operation serving up to 60 Service Personnel. This position is ideal for an experienced contract catering chef who enjoys being hands-on, developing their team, and managing a well-structured kitchen in a military environment. You’ll take full responsibility for the kitchen operation, leading a team of six and ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, and service delivery.
What you’ll be doing:
- Preparing and delivering high-quality, nutritious meals for Service Personnel
- Leading a hands-on kitchen operation, setting the standard from the front
- Managing daily feeding activities in line with contract requirements
- Line managing and developing a team of 6
- Training, coaching, and supporting team members to build capability and confidence
- Managing food ordering, stock control, audits, and minimising waste
- Ensuring excellent food presentation, consistency, and service standards
- Maintaining full compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations
- Taking ownership of kitchen audits, paperwork, and compliance checks
What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef, ideally within contract catering
- Experience managing and developing kitchen teams
- Strong knowledge of stock management, ordering, and auditing processes
- Confident trainer with experience developing others
- Calm, organised, and comfortable working in a structured catering environment
- Reliable, flexible, and able to adapt to changing business needs
- Able to travel to site reliably
Benefits:
- Free meals
- Free on-site gym
- Onsite free car parking
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
Please note: This role is contracted to weeks per year. Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Head Chef in Haverfordwest employer: Chartwells Independent
At Compass Group UK&I, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for our Head Chef role at Cawdor Barracks. With a strong focus on employee development through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes, we offer a supportive work culture that values diversity and empowers our team members to thrive. Enjoy a range of benefits including free meals, access to a gym, and exclusive discounts, all while leading a dedicated kitchen team in a structured military environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Haverfordwest
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs and industry contacts on LinkedIn or at local culinary events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your best dishes and kitchen management experiences. A visual representation of your work can really make you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching the company and its values. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their mission, especially in a military catering environment like Cawdor Barracks.
✨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 about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Haverfordwest
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef. We want to see how you've managed kitchen teams and delivered high-quality meals in a structured environment.
Be Hands-On:Since this role is all about leading from the front, let us know about your hands-on approach in the kitchen. Share examples of how you've set standards and trained your team to ensure top-notch service delivery.
Keep It Relevant:Tailor your application to match the job description. Mention your knowledge of stock management, food safety, and compliance checks. We love seeing candidates who understand the ins and outs of contract catering!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team at Cawdor Barracks.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Know Your Kitchen Inside Out
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of kitchen operations, especially in a contract catering environment. Be ready to discuss how you manage food ordering, stock control, and audits, as these are crucial for the Head Chef role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and developed kitchen teams in the past. Highlight your experience in training and coaching others, as this will demonstrate your ability to build capability and confidence within your team.
✨Emphasise Food Safety and Compliance
Familiarise yourself with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen, including managing audits and paperwork, as this is vital for maintaining high standards.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a structured catering environment. Think about how you would handle challenges like minimising waste or ensuring excellent food presentation under pressure.
