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- Tasks: Lead culinary excellence and deliver high-quality food in an educational setting.
- Company: Join Chartwells, a leader in catering for the education sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts on travel, groceries, cinema tickets, and wellness classes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives through exceptional food and hospitality.
- Qualifications: Proven culinary experience and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We ensure you are rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Car or Car Allowance
- 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
- Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
Role Purpose
To plan, organise and lead the preparation and delivery of high-quality food, ensuring the company’s reputation for excellence is consistently upheld in line with contractual and brand standards. The role will drive culinary quality, develop teams, deliver outstanding hospitality and ensure full compliance with food safety, HSE and financial controls.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the preparation and cooking of food to agreed quality, brand and contractual standards
- Deliver first-class culinary training to enhance skills, consistency and food quality across onsite teams
- Plan and deliver exceptional hospitality and event catering
- Drive sales through centrally developed menus, promotions and preferred supplier usage
- Take full responsibility for food safety, HSE and COSHH compliance
- Implement and maintain food monitoring and cost-control procedures, ensuring delivery within agreed budgets
- Work collaboratively with the wider culinary team to support skills development and central initiatives
- Support the day-to-day operational requirements of the business, adapting to changing priorities
Key Relationships
- Executive Chef
- Business Director and Operations Teams
- Regional Culinary Team
- Ingredient and Recipe Manager
- Onsite Catering Teams
- Chartwells Marketing and Nutrition Teams
- Clients, Schools and Senior Leadership Teams
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
- Proven culinary background within a similar foodservice or catering environment
- Experience working in an education setting (schools or colleges)
- Strong leadership and coaching skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams
- Passion for great food and exceptional service delivery
- Confident communicator with excellent presentation skills across diverse audiences
- Financially astute, with experience managing food costs, margins and budgets
- Experience delivering culinary skills training
- Ability to analyse information and drive consistent results through planning and process
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build credibility quickly
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Flexible approach with the ability to work independently and travel when required
Essential Requirements
- Operational catering experience
- Knowledge and understanding of the School Food Standards
- High standards of personal presentation, professionalism and integrity
- Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to deliver in varied environments
- Creative and imaginative approach to food presentation for audiences including children, parents, headteachers and governors
- Ability to perform under pressure and adapt to change
- Full UK driving licence
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!
Executive Chef in Northampton employer: Chartwells
Contact Detail:
Chartwells Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Chef in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, attend industry events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Executive Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your best dishes and culinary achievements. A visual representation of your talent can really make you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching the company’s culinary style and values. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their mission, especially in education settings. This shows you’re genuinely interested!
✨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 take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Chef in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your culinary background and any relevant experience in foodservice or catering. We want to see your passion for great food and exceptional service delivery shine through!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells
✨Know Your Culinary Standards
Familiarise yourself with the School Food Standards and the specific culinary expectations of the role. Be ready to discuss how you can uphold these standards while delivering high-quality food that meets both brand and contractual requirements.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and developed teams in previous roles. Highlight your coaching techniques and how you've motivated staff to achieve culinary excellence, as this is crucial for the Executive Chef position.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience managing food costs, budgets, and financial controls. Bring examples of how you've implemented cost-control procedures and driven sales through effective menu planning and promotions.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would build relationships with various stakeholders, including clients, schools, and senior leadership teams. Prepare to share your strategies for effective communication and collaboration, as this will be key in ensuring culinary quality and operational success.
