At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create nutritious meals in a supportive care environment.
- Company: Join Compass Group, a leader in the food service industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and great perks.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and a positive, inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact through food while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Chef Manager with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 32900 - 32900 £ per year.
Salary: £32,900 per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week (mostly Monday-Friday)
Shift Pattern: Typically 07:00 - 15:00 (flexibility available depending on business needs)
We’re looking for a passionate and experienced Chef Manager to lead the kitchen team at Meadow View in Maidstone. This is a fantastic opportunity for a chef who enjoys a great work-life balance, with mainly Monday to Friday daytime hours, while still making a real difference through food.
You’ll play a key role in delivering high-quality, nutritious, and comforting meals to residents, creating a dining experience that truly enhances their day.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading the day-to-day running of the kitchen and setting high standards
- Planning, preparing, and delivering fresh, nutritious meals tailored to residents’ needs
- Managing and developing your kitchen team, creating a positive, supportive culture
- Overseeing stock control, ordering, and budget management
- Ensuring full compliance with Food Safety, Hygiene, and Health & Safety regulations
- Designing menus that are both appealing and suitable for a variety of dietary requirements
- Maintaining excellent presentation and consistency across all meals
What we’re looking for:
- Experience as a Head Chef or Chef Manager, ideally within care, healthcare, or hospitality
- A strong leader who can motivate and develop a team
- Passion for delivering high-quality food with a focus on nutrition and care
- Good organisational and financial management skills (stock, budgeting, ordering)
- Knowledge of food safety and compliance standards
- Flexible, reliable, and hands-on approach
What’s in it for you:
- £32,900 salary
- Predominantly Monday-Friday, daytime hours for great work-life balance
- Flexibility on shift patterns to support your lifestyle
- A rewarding role in a caring, people-focused environment
- Opportunity to lead your own kitchen and make a real impact
- Ongoing support and career development
This role is perfect for a Chef Manager looking to step into a stable, rewarding environment where you can combine leadership, creativity, and purpose—while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
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, 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
As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
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 in Maidstone employer: Compass Group UK
At Compass Group UK&I, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and people-focused work environment at Meadow View in Maidstone. With a competitive salary of £32,900 and predominantly Monday to Friday daytime hours, our Chef Manager role allows for a great work-life balance while making a meaningful impact through high-quality meals. We provide ongoing career development opportunities, a comprehensive benefits package, and a culture that values diversity and empowers our team members to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, whether it's through social media or local 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! Consider hosting a pop-up event or cooking demonstration to showcase your culinary talents. This not only gets your name out there but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When reaching out to potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience and passion for creating nutritious meals. Let them know how you can lead their kitchen team to success while maintaining high standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can give you a better chance of standing out. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate and find the perfect role that fits your skills and lifestyle.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and creating delicious meals shine through. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in a care or hospitality setting.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your experience in managing and developing kitchen staff. Talk about how you've fostered a positive culture and motivated your team to deliver high-quality meals.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:Mention your skills in stock control, budgeting, and compliance with food safety regulations. We want to see that you can handle the nitty-gritty details while still keeping the kitchen running smoothly.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. Make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job description.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, take some time to think about the types of meals you would prepare for the residents. Familiarise yourself with dietary requirements and how to create appealing menus that cater to those needs. This will show your passion for delivering high-quality food and your understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chef Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and developed your kitchen team in the past. Think about specific situations where you created a positive culture or resolved conflicts, as this will demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on your knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen. This not only shows your expertise but also highlights your commitment to maintaining high standards in food preparation.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect practical questions about stock control, budgeting, and ordering. Prepare to discuss your experience managing these aspects in previous roles. You might even be asked to solve a hypothetical scenario, so think through how you would handle various kitchen challenges.
