At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team to create seasonal menus and memorable dining experiences.
- Company: Join an award-winning team at Gather & Gather, where food brings people together.
- Benefits: Enjoy personal development, health support, holiday allowance, and great social events.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with predominantly Monday to Friday shifts and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workplace culture through delicious food and inspiring environments.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for high-quality food production.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
Great food in the workplace isn’t simply about fuel. It’s about increasing productivity and improving performance; it’s about happy motivated people and inspiring environments. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do - we live to bring food and people together. We are brave, bold and curious adventurers in food and drink. Never shy of being different, always challenging the conventional. Our passionate team of chefs, baristas, servers, nutritionists and much more, love nothing more than creating memorable moments that enrich the everyday. Come and join our award winning teams - we are currently recruiting for a Head Chef to join our team at Oxford Brookes University.
Location: Oxford Brookes University, Headington Rd, Oxford OX3 0BP
Working Pattern: Predominantly Monday-Friday, 7:30am - 16:00pm but weekends and evening work required when needed, Christmas through to New Years off
Rate of Pay: £45,000 per annum
Key Responsibilities:
- Food Production
- To fully understand and interpret the Gather & Gather brand in terms of food and food service.
- To develop and plan menus that are in line with client and customer expectations at the relevant Gather & Gather site.
- To prepare and oversee all preparation of food to the highest standard and in line with the Gather & Gather style.
- To ensure food is seasonal, of known provenance and where possible sourced locally.
- To produce food in a timely fashion to ensure smooth service to the customers.
- To ensure that all appropriate ingredients are available for the menus being prepared and where necessary identify shortages and instigate action to source ingredients and producing new service styles and food concepts.
- Raise all supplier quality issues with the Procurement Department at Gather & Gather.
- To communicate with the relevant parties’ requirements for planned menus and order necessary ingredients.
- To coordinate stock ordering and stocktaking for the entire operation.
- Kitchen Finance
- Plan menus and prepare food in order to minimise wastage.
- Control costs through efficient purchasing and use of existing stock whilst ensuring that standards and style is maintained.
- Responsible for ensuring weekly and monthly stock takes.
- To administer unit controls and keep records using the appropriate systems.
- Managing / Developing a Team
- Depending on site structure either overall responsibility for managing the kitchen team ensuring that they are all aware of Gather & Gather standards and carry out their jobs in line with those standards or in partnership with the Exec Chef.
- Responsible for leading the kitchen team in producing high quality seasonal food in a timely fashion.
- Conduct daily briefings before service ensuring all Chefs understand the day’s menus and are aware of their responsibilities for the day.
- Provide feedback and coaching on performance.
- To provide any necessary on-job training whereby increasing the team’s understanding and knowledge of produce.
- To carry out performance appraisals as and when directed by the company.
- To manage poor performance in line with the Gather & Gather process, where relevant reporting performance issues and actions to Exec Chef / site General Manager.
- To induct new staff into their position.
- To monitor the attendance of the kitchen brigade.
What’s in it for you?
Working with Gather and Gather has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we’ve developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Life assurance scheme
- Pension scheme
- Holiday allowance
- Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Family friendly support
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- A holiday purchase scheme
- Volunteering days
- Professional subscriptions
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers
Head Chef – Oxford Campus, Seasonal Menus & Benefits employer: Gather & Gather UK
Contact Detail:
Gather & Gather UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef – Oxford Campus, Seasonal Menus & Benefits
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, dive into Gather & Gather's values and mission. This way, you can show how your passion for food and people aligns perfectly with their adventurous spirit.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to kitchen management and menu planning. We want you to feel confident when discussing your experience and how you can elevate the dining experience at Oxford Brookes University.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! Prepare a few ideas for seasonal menus that reflect local produce. This will not only impress the interviewers but also demonstrate your commitment to quality and innovation in food service.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our award-winning team and contributing to memorable moments in food.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef – Oxford Campus, Seasonal Menus & Benefits
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! We want to see how you can bring creativity and excitement to our menus. Share any unique ideas or experiences that highlight your adventurous spirit in the kitchen.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the Gather & Gather brand. Highlight your experience with seasonal ingredients and local sourcing, as these are key to what we do. Show us how your values align with ours!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to read. Use bullet points if it helps to break down your achievements and responsibilities.
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Gather & Gather!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gather & Gather UK
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in seasonal ingredients and local sourcing. Research what’s currently in season and how it can be incorporated into menus. This shows your passion for food and aligns with the company’s commitment to quality.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to discuss your unique approach to menu planning and food presentation. Bring examples of past menus or dishes you've created that reflect your adventurous spirit in food. This will demonstrate your ability to think outside the box and challenge conventional norms.
✨Team Leadership Skills
Be ready to talk about your experience managing a kitchen team. Highlight specific instances where you’ve successfully led a team, provided training, or improved performance. This is crucial as the role involves developing and managing a passionate team of chefs.
✨Understand the Brand
Familiarise yourself with the Gather & Gather brand and its values. Be prepared to explain how you would embody these values in your role as Head Chef. This shows that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely want to contribute to their mission of bringing food and people together.