At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a culinary team to create exceptional food experiences in a vibrant educational setting.
- Company: Join Chartwells, a top provider of catering services in the education sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, pension scheme, wellness classes, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Flexible hours, term-time only, with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives through delicious, nutritious meals.
- Qualifications: Catering experience, team management skills, and relevant food hygiene certifications required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Monday to Friday
- Term Time Only - 42.6 weeks per year
- 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, 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 42.6 weeks per year.
We're recruiting an experienced Chef Manager who is passionate about exceptional food and world-class customer service, and who can confidently oversee all Compass Group UK&I catering and service operations for Chartwells on a full time basis, contracted to 35 hours per week.
As a Chef Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring our kitchens and service counters run smoothly and helping to deliver truly incredible food experiences. In return, you'll have the opportunity to progress your catering career with a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Preparing delicious food to the highest standards
- Supervising our culinary and catering teams to ensure we continue to deliver impeccable food and customer service
- Overseeing the efficiency of all in-unit catering operations, including managing inventories, monitoring budgets, and implementing action plans
- Communicating regularly with your line manager to monitor KPIs and targets
- Representing Compass Group UK&I and maintaining a positive brand image
- Identifying opportunities for new food or service concepts to drive sales
- Liaising between customers and our culinary and service teams to ensure we continue to exceed expectations
- Supporting and training our teams, leading from the front to make sure everyone can excel in their role
- Implementing and reviewing Health & Safety standards to ensure compliance across all catering and service teams.
Our ideal Chef Manager will:
- Be passionate about great-tasting food and exceptional customer service
- Have a minimum of two years of catering experience
- Have experience managing teams in a similar role
- Hold an NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 and 2
- Hold a Basic Food Hygiene certificate
- Demonstrate brilliant financial acumen
- Have excellent communication and organisational skills
- Be an ambitious and motivated individual who is always looking to upskill.
About Us: Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all employees to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children's Barred List check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
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!
Chef Manager - London in Catford employer: Chartwells
As a Chef Manager with Chartwells in London, you'll be part of a dynamic team that values exceptional food and outstanding customer service. Our comprehensive benefits package, including a contributory pension scheme, exclusive travel discounts, and wellness classes, reflects our commitment to employee well-being and growth. With opportunities for career advancement through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes, you will thrive in a supportive work culture that celebrates individuality and rewards hard work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager - London in Catford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, attend local food events, or join culinary groups online. 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 of your best dishes or even host a tasting event. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table—literally!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around exceptional food and customer service. We want to see your passion shine through!
✨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 Chef Manager - London in Catford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for great-tasting food shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your culinary skills and how you’ve gone above and beyond to create exceptional dining experiences.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your management experience. Talk about how you've successfully supervised teams in the past and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to inspire and motivate others.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key skills and experiences. Remember, we want to get to know you quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Chartwells!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your culinary knowledge and be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and cooking techniques. This shows your passion for food and helps you connect with the interviewers who are looking for someone who truly loves what they do.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chef Manager, you'll be overseeing teams, so prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen or catering team in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate others and ensure high standards of service, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Understand the Brand
Familiarise yourself with Chartwells and Compass Group UK&I's values and mission. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goal of providing exceptional food experiences in the education sector.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street, so think of insightful questions to ask about the role, team dynamics, and future opportunities within the company. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
