At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team, creating delicious dishes and catering for events.
- Company: Join a community-focused organisation at Greenhouse Business Centre.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, and the chance to design exciting menus.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and to foster a positive kitchen culture.
- Why this job: Make an impact with your culinary skills in a vibrant café environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Lead Chef or Senior Chef with strong culinary and leadership skills.
Location: Annfield Plain
Working pattern: 35 hours per week, with flexibility to work additional hours as required
Salary: £25,480 per annum
About the role
We're looking for an experienced Lead Chef to oversee all aspects of our café kitchen and catering operations at Greenhouse Business Centre. This is a hands-on role where you'll lead by example, preparing fresh, high-quality food for daily café trade and conference or meeting catering. You'll manage kitchen operations, ensure full compliance with food safety regulations, and lead a small team to deliver excellent food and service standards.
What you'll be doing
- Lead all kitchen operations for the café and catering services
- Prepare and cook a variety of dishes including sandwiches, soups, bakes, and hot lunches
- Design, plan, and cost seasonal menus for the café and catering events
- Ensure all food is prepared to high quality, taste, and presentation standards
- Maintain consistency, efficiency, and attention to detail during service
- Plan and deliver catering for on-site conferences, meetings, and special events
- Liaise with business centre staff to meet client requirements and event timelines
- Ensure catering deliveries are accurate, on time, and professionally presented
- Take full responsibility for kitchen hygiene, cleanliness, and safety
- Implement and maintain HACCP procedures and food hygiene records
- Conduct and document all required daily, weekly, and monthly checks
- Ensure all staff follow food safety, allergen, and cleaning protocols
- Manage ordering, delivery, and storage of food and supplies
- Monitor stock levels, control wastage, and operate within agreed budgets
- Supervise and support Catering Assistant(s) and any temporary staff
- Provide on-the-job training, guidance, coaching and feedback
- Foster a positive, efficient and customer-focused kitchen culture
- Conduct regular one-to-one meetings and performance reviews for team members
- Take ownership of operational issues, complaints and service challenges
- Communicate issues, risks and proposed solutions to management
What you'll bring
- Proven experience as a Lead Chef or Senior Chef in a café, hospitality or catering environment
- Strong culinary skills with the ability to design, cost and deliver varied menus
- Excellent understanding of food hygiene, allergen control and HACCP systems
- Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent planning, organisation and time management skills
- Ability to balance café service, catering orders, administration, stock management and staff supervision
- Strong administrative and record-keeping skills with attention to detail
- Competence in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Outlook, Word and Excel
- Food Hygiene Level 3 (minimum)
- A proactive, solution-focused approach with the ability to work independently and take ownership
What's on offer
- 35 hours per week with flexibility to work additional hours as required
- A hands-on role leading a small catering team
- Opportunity to design and deliver varied menus for café and catering clients
- Work within a community-focused organisation
Additional information
You'll comply with all organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding responsibilities for children, young people and vulnerable adults. You may be required to work outside normal office hours.
Lead Chef – Café and Catering in Annfield Plain employer: Groundwork
As a Maintenance Officer, you will be part of a dynamic Facilities and Maintenance team that values your independence and problem-solving skills while ensuring our sites across the North East run smoothly. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that encourages personal growth and offers diverse opportunities for development, all while providing a company van for your travels between our various locations. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community, where your contributions are recognised and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Chef – Café and Catering in Annfield Plain
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Groundwork. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Groundwork
Don't be shy about reaching out to Groundwork directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Chef – Café and Catering in Annfield Plain
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Groundwork and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Groundwork
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
