At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create exceptional culinary experiences.
- Company: Join White Oaks at Millway House, a top hospitality destination in Derby.
- Benefits: Earn £22.76 per hour with flexible shifts and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make your mark in the culinary world and inspire others with your creativity.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: White Oaks at Millway House, Derby (DE24 9BD)
Employment Type: Shifts offered on casual bases from Monday to Friday
About the Role
As Head Chef, you will take full responsibility for the day‑to‑day management of the kitchen operation, ensuring the delivery of exceptional food quality, service standards, and financial performance. You will lead menu development, manage food costs, maintain compliance standards, and inspire your team to consistently exceed customer expectations. The successful candidate will combine strong culinary skills with excellent leadership, organisational ability, and commercial awareness.
Key Responsibilities
- Kitchen Leadership & Management
- Lead, motivate, and develop the kitchen team.
- Recruit, train, mentor, and conduct performance reviews for kitchen staff.
- Create a positive, professional, and collaborative kitchen culture.
- Manage staff rotas and labour scheduling in line with business needs.
- Ensure effective communication between kitchen and front‑of‑house teams.
- Food Preparation & Service
- Oversee the preparation and presentation of all food served on site.
- Maintain consistently high culinary standards across breakfast, lunch, hospitality, events, and conference catering.
- Ensure timely service delivery during peak trading periods and events.
- Monitor portion control and food quality standards.
- Introduce innovative menu concepts that align with customer expectations and market trends.
- Menu Development
- Design seasonal menus and daily specials.
- Develop corporate hospitality and event catering menus.
- Cater for dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten‑free, allergen‑sensitive, and culturally diverse options.
- Drive creativity and innovation while maintaining operational efficiency.
- Financial Management
- Manage food purchasing and supplier relationships.
- Control food costs, wastage, and stock levels.
- Monitor gross profit margins and kitchen budgets.
- Conduct regular stock takes and inventory management.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability without compromising quality.
- Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with food hygiene legislation.
- Maintain HACCP procedures and food safety documentation.
- Ensure kitchen compliance with Health & Safety regulations.
- Lead environmental health inspections and audits.
- Monitor allergen management procedures and food labelling requirements.
- Operational Excellence
- Ensure kitchens, storage areas, and equipment are maintained to the highest standards.
- Coordinate catering requirements for meetings, conferences, training programmes, and corporate events.
- Manage equipment maintenance schedules and report repair requirements.
- Implement and monitor standard operating procedures.
- Customer Experience
- Deliver outstanding food experiences for clients, delegates, and visitors.
- Respond professionally to customer feedback.
- Work closely with management teams to support business growth.
- Help enhance White Oaks' reputation as a leading hospitality destination within Derby's engineering and industrial community.
Essential Requirements
- Previous experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef within a high‑volume hospitality, conference, hotel, corporate dining, or event environment.
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent culinary knowledge and food presentation standards.
- Proven experience managing food costs and kitchen budgets.
- Comprehensive understanding of food safety legislation and HACCP.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple service streams.
- Strong organisational and communication skills.
- Level 3 Food Safety qualification (or willingness to obtain).
Desirable
- Experience within conference centres, corporate hospitality, or business dining environments.
- Experience delivering catering for meetings, training events, and large‑scale functions.
- Knowledge of sustainable sourcing and waste reduction practices.
- First Aid qualification.
- Hospitality management qualifications.
Head Chefs Required in Derby NEW Constellation Posted today £22.76 per hour Derby Catering/Hosp[...] employer: Chartwells Independent
At Constellation, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration among our kitchen team. Located in Derby, our facility at White Oaks provides a unique opportunity for professional growth, with flexible shift patterns and a commitment to culinary excellence that empowers our chefs to innovate and excel. Join us to be part of a dynamic environment where your skills will be valued, and your contributions will directly enhance the dining experience for our diverse clientele.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chefs Required in Derby NEW Constellation Posted today £22.76 per hour Derby Catering/Hosp[...]
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and hospitality industry. Attend local events or join online groups where you can meet people who might know about job openings. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you have a portfolio of your best dishes or menu ideas, don’t hesitate to share it during interviews or networking events. A visual representation of your talent can really make you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Instead of waiting for job postings, reach out directly to restaurants or catering companies you admire. Express your interest in working with them and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities. You never know what might come up!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting opportunities, including the Head Chef position in Derby. Make sure to check it out and submit your application directly. It’s a great way to get noticed by employers looking for top talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chefs Required in Derby NEW Constellation Posted today £22.76 per hour Derby Catering/Hosp[...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your culinary expertise and any innovative menu ideas you've developed. We want to see how you can bring creativity to the kitchen and impress our guests!
Leadership is Key:Don’t forget to showcase your leadership experience! Talk about how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others and create a positive kitchen culture.
Be Financially Savvy:Since managing food costs and budgets is crucial, include examples of how you've successfully controlled expenses in past positions. We love candidates who can balance quality with profitability!
Apply Through Our Website:Finally, make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Brush up on your culinary skills and be ready to discuss your experience with high-volume kitchens. Be prepared to share specific examples of menu development and how you've managed food costs in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead a team. Think of examples where you've motivated and developed kitchen staff. Highlight your experience in training and mentoring, and be ready to discuss how you create a positive kitchen culture.
✨Understand Financial Management
Familiarise yourself with financial aspects like food purchasing and budget management. Be ready to talk about how you've controlled food costs and improved profitability in past positions without compromising quality.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Make sure you know the ins and outs of food safety legislation and HACCP procedures. Be prepared to discuss how you've maintained compliance in previous roles and how you handle allergen management and food labelling.
