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- Tasks: Lead a culinary team to create exceptional dining experiences and ensure food safety standards.
- Company: Join MACK, a leader in providing inclusive and sustainable accommodation and catering services.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, free food, and parking, plus a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Elevate your culinary skills while making a positive impact on diverse communities.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery and strong leadership experience required.
- Other info: Fast-paced role with opportunities for growth and a commitment to sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 32240 - 32240 £ per year.
MACK is a property management company that has the vision to be the leading force in providing a diverse range of safe, inclusive, and sustainable accommodation for all. To support our accommodation services, we also operate nationwide, delivering high quality catering and laundry services. Our catering provision is built around delivering fresh, nutritious, and high-quality food services across a diverse range of sites. We pride ourselves on operational excellence, strong client partnerships, and a commitment to compliance and sustainability.
As the Head Chef, you will lead our culinary team in delivering exceptional dining experiences while ensuring the highest standards of food safety and quality. Reporting to the Restaurant Manager, with a Level 3 in Professional Cookery and strong leadership skills, you will foster a collaborative environment, oversee food production, and implement HACCP protocols. Join us to elevate our culinary offerings and drive the success of our restaurant through innovative cuisine and effective team leadership.
- Oversee the preparation and cooking of large volumes of food while maintaining consistency, portion control, and quality standards.
- Lead, motivate, and manage a team of chefs, kitchen assistants, and porters.
- Provide on-the-job training to ensure staff follow procedures and maintain high standards of food safety and hygiene.
- Monitor stock levels, forecast usage, and manage ordering to reduce waste and control costs.
- Ensure full compliance with food safety legislation, HACCP protocols, and company policies.
- Conduct regular kitchen audits and risk assessments.
- Ensure all allergen information is up to date and that special diets (e.g. gluten-free, halal, vegan) are catered for safely.
- Liaise with catering managers, clients, and service staff to coordinate service delivery.
- Ensure kitchen equipment is maintained and serviced.
- Report faults and oversee cleanliness and organisation of the kitchen.
Qualifications:
- NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery (or equivalent)
- Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene Certification (essential); refresher training will be given.
- Allergen Awareness Training
- Relevant Health & Safety training (e.g. COSHH, manual handling)
- Culinary or hospitality management qualification (desirable)
- Sound knowledge of stock control, portioning, and waste reduction
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a bulk or volume catering environment (e.g. hospitals, schools, prisons, large-scale events, care homes, or contract catering)
- Strong background in high-volume food production and multi-site or central kitchen operations
- Demonstrable experience in menu planning, cost control, stock management, and team leadership
- Experience managing and training kitchen brigades
- Track record of maintaining food safety standards and achieving high inspection results
This role is working 40 hours per week, over 5 days including weekends. The position requires standing for long periods, bending, lifting, and maintaining a fast-paced environment while ensuring that food safety and cleanliness are upheld at all times.
Due to legal working hour restrictions, we are unable to consider applicants who are not permitted to work these hours under UK immigration rules.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £15.50 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Discounted or free food
Free parking
Head Chef - Education Catering in Leeds employer: Employer near you
Contact Detail:
Employer near you Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Education Catering in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the catering industry, attend local food events, and join relevant online groups. 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! Consider hosting a pop-up event or cooking demonstration to showcase your talent. This not only gets your name out there but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When reaching out to companies like MACK, highlight your experience in high-volume food production and your commitment to food safety. Make it clear how your values align with theirs, especially around sustainability and community service.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Education Catering in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in high-volume food production and any innovative dishes you've created. We want to see how you can elevate our culinary offerings!
Be Clear About Your Leadership Style: As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so let us know about your leadership approach. Share examples of how you've motivated and trained your kitchen staff in the past – we love a collaborative environment!
Demonstrate Your Commitment to Food Safety: Food safety is crucial for us, so make sure to mention your qualifications like Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene Certification. Talk about your experience with HACCP protocols and how you've maintained high standards in previous roles.
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 our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Employer near you
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your culinary knowledge, especially around food safety and HACCP protocols. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past roles, as this will show your expertise and commitment to high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so prepare examples of how you've motivated and trained kitchen staff in the past. Think about specific situations where you fostered collaboration or improved team performance.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with stock control, portioning, and waste reduction strategies. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed costs and forecasted usage in previous roles, as this is crucial for maintaining operational excellence.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life kitchen scenarios, like handling dietary restrictions or managing a busy service. Practise your responses to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to maintain quality under pressure.