At a Glance
- Tasks: Cover chef absences and support teams across multiple locations, ensuring kitchen efficiency.
- Company: Caterplus, a leader in catering for over-55 communities.
- Benefits: Car allowance, mileage reimbursement, and no late evenings.
- Other info: Fast-track your skills and visibility with senior leaders in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Enjoy variety, responsibility, and the chance to make a real impact in kitchens.
- Qualifications: Senior chef experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 ÂŁ per year.
What you’ll be doing…
- Cover planned and unplanned absence across multiple Caterplus locations
- Support teams during busy periods or transition
- Bring consistency, standards and leadership wherever you go
- Keep kitchens running safely, efficiently and to Caterplus standards
- Act as the regional specialist for Textured Modified Foods (TMF), delivering training and best practice
- Build strong relationships with managers and operations teams across the region
- Role model high standards in H&S, food safety and compliance
No two weeks will look the same – you’ll work with different teams, strengthen different kitchens and make a visible impact everywhere you go.
What can you bring?
- Senior chef experience
- Calm, organised and confident under pressure
- A genuine passion for customer service
- Strong kitchen management and people leadership
- A positive, solutions-focused approach
- TMF experience helpful, though training provided
Hours & Region
- 5 out of 7 days
- 37.5 hours per week (no late evenings)
- Covering sites across the South East within our over-55 catering communities
- Car allowance
- Mileage (33p per mile petrol, 26p per mile electric)
Being a Relief Chef Manager at Caterplus gives you:
- Variety instead of routine
- More responsibility and autonomy
- Faster skills development across different sites
- Wider visibility with senior leaders (accelerates progression)
- A role where you’re the person people rely on when it counts
If you enjoy being the chef who can “walk into any kitchen and make it work”, you’ll thrive here.
Relief Chef Manager in Watford employer: Elior
Contact Detail:
Elior Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Relief Chef Manager in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a Relief Chef Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opening or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demo at a potential employer's kitchen. This is a great way to showcase your calmness under pressure and your ability to lead a team while keeping standards high.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to Caterplus locations and express your interest in working with them. A friendly email or call can go a long way in making you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Brush up on your knowledge of Textured Modified Foods (TMF) and any other relevant skills. Showing that you're eager to learn and adapt will make you a more attractive candidate when you apply through our website.
We think you need these skills to ace Relief Chef Manager in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your senior chef experience in your application. We want to see how you've handled busy kitchens and led teams, so share specific examples that showcase your skills and achievements.
Be Yourself: Let your personality shine through in your written application. We’re looking for someone who’s calm, organised, and confident under pressure, so don’t be afraid to show us your genuine passion for customer service and kitchen management.
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to tailor your application to the Relief Chef Manager role. Mention your experience with Textured Modified Foods (TMF) if you have it, and express your willingness to learn if you don’t. We appreciate a positive, solutions-focused approach!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elior
✨Know Your Kitchens
Before the interview, research the different Caterplus locations and their specific needs. Familiarise yourself with their menus and any unique challenges they face. This will show your genuine interest and help you discuss how you can bring consistency and leadership to each kitchen.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in high-pressure situations. Highlight your calm and organised approach, and be ready to discuss how you’ve built strong relationships with colleagues in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to lead effectively across various kitchens.
✨Emphasise Your Customer Service Passion
Caterplus values a strong customer service ethos, so be sure to share stories that illustrate your commitment to delivering excellent service. Discuss how you’ve gone above and beyond for customers in the past, and how you plan to maintain high standards in this role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss TMF
While TMF experience is helpful, it’s not a deal-breaker. If you have any knowledge or training in Textured Modified Foods, be prepared to discuss it. If not, express your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly. Showing a positive, solutions-focused attitude will resonate well with the interviewers.