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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 a comprehensive benefits package including discounts, wellness classes, and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives through exceptional food and hospitality.
- Qualifications: Proven culinary experience, strong leadership skills, and a passion for great food.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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:
- 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, 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
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 Surrey employer: Compass Group
Contact Detail:
Compass Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Chef in Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, especially those who have experience in education settings. They might know about openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, organise a tasting session or a demo of your culinary creations. This is a great way to demonstrate your passion for food and exceptional service delivery.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of food safety and HSE compliance. You want to show that you’re not just a great chef but also someone who takes these responsibilities seriously.
✨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 Executive Chef in Surrey
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 key responsibilities and skills 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 getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨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 experience and how you've motivated others 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. Share specific strategies you've implemented to maintain profitability while ensuring quality, as this will show your understanding of the business side of culinary operations.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've built relationships with various stakeholders in past roles. Be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with teams, clients, and suppliers to enhance service delivery and drive sales through effective menu planning.
