Senior Head Chef

Senior Head Chef

Full-Time 35000 - 45000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Durham University

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team to create delicious meals for students and staff.
  • Company: Join the vibrant catering team at Durham University.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, rewards package, and ongoing development opportunities.
  • Other info: Flexible working across all catering areas with great career growth potential.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on food quality and service for a large community.
  • Qualifications: Experience in a high-volume kitchen and strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.

The Senior Head Chef will be responsible for supervising a large kitchen team which produces three meals per day for up to 600 students and staff. The post holder will be responsible for catering for high profile clientele, private dining external functions and banqueting. The Head Chef must be able to develop existing teams to ensure that consistently exceptional standard of food and service is delivered.

The post holder will also assist with day to day cleaning of kitchen and catering equipment, receipt and storage of goods, checking and signing for deliveries. Catering team members will be expected to adopt and promote a flexible approach to working, and to undertake any or all of the tasks outlined below regardless of their designated shift. The post holder will be required to work flexibly across all catering areas.

In addition to a highly competitive salary and rewards package, our strategic focus includes ongoing development opportunities for our people. Join us today and shape your career at Durham University!

Senior Head Chef employer: Durham University

Durham University is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values teamwork and creativity in the kitchen. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide ongoing development opportunities and a highly competitive salary package, making it an ideal place for culinary professionals to thrive while serving a diverse community of students and staff. Join us in shaping your career in a dynamic environment where your contributions truly matter.
Durham University

Contact Detail:

Durham University Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Head Chef

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs and industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. 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 culinary skills! If you get the chance, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demonstration. This is your chance to shine and show them what you're made of!

✨Tip Number 3

Be prepared for the interview! Research the institution and its catering needs. Bring ideas to the table about how you can elevate their food service and impress them with your vision.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Head Chef

Team Supervision
Culinary Skills
Menu Development
Food Safety Standards
High-Volume Cooking
Banqueting Experience
Private Dining Management
Kitchen Equipment Maintenance
Inventory Management
Delivery Coordination
Flexibility in Work Approach
Exceptional Customer Service
Staff Development
Cleaning and Hygiene Practices

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in managing a large kitchen team and any high-profile events you've catered for. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our kitchen!

Flexibility is Key: Since the role requires a flexible approach, mention any experiences where you've adapted to changing circumstances or taken on various tasks. This will show us that you're ready to jump in wherever needed!

Team Development Matters: Don’t forget to talk about how you've developed teams in the past. We’re keen to know how you’ve helped others grow and how you plan to maintain our exceptional standards of food and service.

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 don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Durham University

✨Know Your Kitchen

Familiarise yourself with the kitchen's layout and equipment before the interview. Being able to discuss how you would optimise workflow or improve efficiency will show your understanding of the role and impress the interviewers.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Discuss specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to deliver exceptional service, especially in high-pressure situations.

✨Highlight Your Flexibility

Since the role requires a flexible approach, be ready to share instances where you've adapted to changing circumstances in the kitchen. This could include adjusting menus for dietary needs or managing unexpected staff shortages.

✨Passion for Quality

Express your commitment to delivering high-quality food and service. Bring along ideas for menu innovations or improvements that align with the institution's values, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also invested in its success.

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