Chef Manager - Daventry in London

Location: Henry Food Academy, Daventry. Salary: Up to £32,500 per annum (DOE). Working Pattern: Monday to Friday.

We are looking for a Chef Manager who can do more than cook to join our Eurest team at Henry Food Academy in Daventry. This is a role for a hands-on leader who is as confident at the stove as they are in a client meeting, someone who understands how to run a business, manage a team, and deliver a world-class guest experience.

The Henry Ford Academy is not just a training centre; it is a prestigious, state-of-the-art flagship venue. As Chef Manager, you will lead the culinary journey for delegates, executives and global partners. Delivering high-quality catering for an on-site restaurant of up to 200 covers, you will oversee every aspect of the catering operation, from menu planning and team leadership to client relationships, budgets, compliance, and service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the culinary offer, ensuring that every delegate feels like a VIP, from their morning coffee to their final event meal.
• Oversee the full catering operation from food to finance to front of house.
• Bring fresh, modern ideas to the table, creating menus that reflect the state-of-the-art nature of the academy.
• Work in a close, established partnership with Clients to ensure their food service aligns perfectly with their corporate goals, training, and event schedules.
• Lead, develop and motivate your team to deliver excellent service every day.
• Manage food costs, margins, waste and labour with commercial precision.
• Build strong relationships with our clients and guests, understanding their needs, exceeding expectations and delivering service with an impact.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety and company standards at all times.
• Drive consistency and quality across the kitchen and wider catering operation.

What you’ll bring to the table

• Proven experience as Chef Manager or Catering Manager with strong operational and culinary experience.
• A passion for fresh food, seasonal ingredients, and high-quality service delivery.
• Great communication and leadership skills, inspiring others with your energy.
• A strong sense of ownership and ability to manage client relationships.
• Strong financial acumen, understanding P&L, cost control, and business KPIs.
• Excellent communication and people management skills, building trust and leading by example.

If you are ready to lead a kitchen that mirrors the innovation and excellence of the Ford brand, we want to hear from you.

At Eurest, we are the experts in workplace catering, operating in over 700 workspaces every day. We know that fueling employees throughout the day can help to sharpen their thinking, nourish their bodies and minds and ultimately, motivate them to perform at their best. Our workplace food experiences are driven by our promise to live more sustainably and responsibly, working towards our goal of net zero by 2030.