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- Tasks: Lead innovative food concepts and support school catering teams across the region.
- Company: Join Chartwells, a leader in education catering with a passion for food and nutrition.
- Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including discounts, wellness classes, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives through delicious and nutritious meals.
- Qualifications: Passion for food, strong culinary background, and excellent communication skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This role plays a pivotal part in supporting the Chartwells Operations Team to ensure our school catering teams fully understand their responsibilities and deliver against clear standards and expectations. You will drive a consistent, elevated and innovative food offer across all schools – from counter service to hospitality and event catering. The role ensures modular menus are implemented using The Source recipes, hospitality brochures are relevant and user-friendly, and the "Beyond the Kitchen" programme is embedded successfully across every site. You will lead the development of kitchen teams, champion new food concepts, and ensure our food offer remains fresh, inspiring, compliant, and commercially successful.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the delivery and presentation of food across schools, encouraging teams to showcase their offer and host tastings with clients.
- Engage clients in meaningful conversations around food quality, innovation, and school strategy.
- Create and implement new culinary ideas such as pop-ups, BBQ events, tasting events, and themed food activations.
- Develop innovative, School Food Standards-compliant regional dishes for inclusion on menus.
- Ensure modular menus are implemented correctly using approved recipes from The Source.
- Ensure every school has a relevant and accessible hospitality brochure.
Team Development & Training
- Train culinary teams across all craft levels, reviewing kitchen operations and developing capability at every level.
- Deliver bi-annual unit manager training to support new menu launches and updates.
- Support and coach teams through chef challenges and provide short-term relief support where required.
- Ensure "Tasting Kitchen" and "Recipe Clinics" are embedded across the estate.
Beyond the Kitchen Programme
- Support and guide schools in embedding the Beyond the Kitchen programme.
- Ensure activities are planned, diarised, and delivered consistently.
- Liaise with the Nutrition Team where required.
- Personally deliver selected Beyond the Kitchen activities throughout the year.
Operational & Strategic Support
- Support mobilisation of new contracts.
- Oversee planning of large-scale hospitality events within schools.
- Review and update school strategies during each visit.
- Maintain a strong understanding of purchasing compliance, sourcing, and commercial performance.
Key Relationships
- Chartwells Culinary Director
- Managing Director
- Senior Leadership Team
- Head of Operations
- Regional Managers
- Compass Group UK Food Service Team
- School Clients
- Kitchen Teams
- Catering Managers / General Managers
- Unit Managers
About You
- Genuine passion for food and education catering
- Strong knowledge of food trends and culinary development
- Creative foodservice background
- Experience with purchasing, sourcing, modular menus and recipe systems
- Proven track record of developing and implementing food concepts
- Experience working in fast-paced, forward-thinking environments
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Strong coaching and leadership ability
- Ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholder groups
- Strong project management skills
- Knowledge of varied food production methods
- Passion-led approach to school visits, always showcasing the very best food
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:
- 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
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.
Regional Development Chef employer: Chartwells
Contact Detail:
Chartwells Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Development Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the education catering scene. Attend industry events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary creativity! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, bring your ideas to the table. Share innovative food concepts or successful projects you've led. This will not only showcase your passion but also demonstrate your fit for the Regional Development Chef role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Before any interviews, do some mock sessions with friends or family. Focus on articulating your experience with modular menus and team development. The more comfortable you are discussing your skills, the more confident you'll feel when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Chartwells. Plus, it gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm right from the start!
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Development Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and education shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your culinary creativity and how you’ve engaged with food trends. We want to see your enthusiasm!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the key responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience with modular menus and team development, as these are crucial for the role. We appreciate a personal touch!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to our team at Chartwells.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details 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 Trends
Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest food trends and culinary developments. Research popular dishes, innovative concepts, and how they can be applied in an educational setting. This will show your genuine passion for food and education catering during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led kitchen teams or developed culinary talent in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific training methods you've used and how you’ve fostered a collaborative environment. This will highlight your strong coaching and leadership abilities.
✨Engage with the 'Beyond the Kitchen' Programme
Familiarise yourself with the 'Beyond the Kitchen' programme and think of ways you could enhance it. Bring ideas to the table about how to embed this initiative effectively across schools. This shows your proactive approach and understanding of the role's responsibilities.
✨Prepare for Client Engagement Scenarios
Think about how you would engage clients in meaningful conversations around food quality and innovation. Prepare to discuss past experiences where you’ve successfully communicated with stakeholders and how you ensured their needs were met. This will demonstrate your excellent communication and influencing skills.