At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a mobile catering team to deliver high-quality food across schools.
- Company: Join HCL, a leading contract caterer focused on school feeding.
- Benefits: Earn £17.55 per hour with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across multiple locations and a focus on teamwork.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through nutritious food experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Chef or Kitchen Manager with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 27023 - 27023 £ per year.
Location: Field-based across Chef West Sussex South London Reading Surrey (Head Office: Mundells, Welwyn Garden City)
Salary: £17.55 per hour (£27,023 per annum)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Schedule: Term Time Only plus 3 inset days (38.6 weeks)
Reports to: Group Chef
HCL are leading contract caterers with a focus on school feeding. We have a commitment to deliver high-quality, nutritious, and engaging food experiences for children and staff across our primary schools, secondary schools, and commercial sites. We pride ourselves on our dynamic culture and our commitment to excellence.
The Deputy Group Chef plays a critical role in ensuring kitchens remain fully staffed, operational, and deliver high-quality food and service safely across multiple education sites. This position supports the Group Chef by managing the mobile workforce, supporting compliance with food safety and operational standards, and assisting with kitchen mobilisations and community engagement activities.
Key Responsibilities for Deputy Group Chef
- Workforce Planning Deployment: Assist with the deployment of a mobile catering team, to ensure kitchens remain fully staffed. Help plan rotas, coordinate cover, and work alongside with Group Chef to anticipate staffing needs.
- People Management: Work in partnership with the Group Chef to support and develop a mobile workforce, including line management responsibilities. Assist with training, performance, and absence management, ensuring HR compliance.
- Operational Support: Provide hands-on kitchen support when needed, maintain food quality standards, and monitor performance (food cost, labour, waste). Support site engagement activities and digital systems.
- Compliance Safety: Ensure high standards in Food Safety, Health Safety, and allergen management across all sites.
- Recruitment Retention: Assist with the recruitment and retention of mobile team members, contributing to wider site recruitment and engagement initiatives.
- Mobilisation Support: Assist with new site set-ups and transitions, including equipment, onboarding, and systems implementation.
About You as a Deputy Group Chef
- Experienced Chef or Kitchen Manager (multi-site/mobile preferred)
- Strong leadership and team management skills
- Solid knowledge of food safety, H S, and allergens
- Organised, adaptable, and able to work across multiple locations
- Passionate about food quality and customer service
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel
If you’re a proactive Deputy Group Chef who enjoys working alongside senior leadership, supporting teams, and upholding high standards while delivering great food and customer experiences, we’d love to hear from you.
Deputy Group Chef employer: Hertfordshire Catering Limited T/A HCL
HCL is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a dynamic work culture focused on excellence in school catering. With opportunities for professional growth, a commitment to high-quality food experiences, and a supportive environment for team management, HCL ensures that its employees thrive while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and communities across West Sussex, South London, Reading, and Surrey.
Contact Details:
Hertfordshire Catering Limited T/A HCL Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Group Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, especially those who might know about opportunities at HCL. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, bring some of your culinary creations to an informal meet-up or networking event. Nothing speaks louder than a delicious dish that showcases your talent.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to HCL and express your interest in the Deputy Group Chef role. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Stay engaged with the community! Participate in local food events or workshops. This not only boosts your visibility but also shows your passion for food quality and customer service, which is right up HCL's alley.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Group Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you to create high-quality meals. We want to see your enthusiasm for delivering great food experiences.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Deputy Group Chef, you'll be managing a mobile workforce. Make sure to showcase your leadership experience in your application. Talk about how you've supported and developed teams in the past – we’re all about teamwork!
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; dive into the details! Explain how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of this role, especially in multi-site or mobile settings. We love seeing how you can bring your skills to our dynamic culture.
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 any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire Catering Limited T/A HCL
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your culinary knowledge, especially around food safety and allergen management. Be ready to discuss how you've maintained high standards in previous roles and share specific examples of how you've handled food quality and safety.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Deputy Group Chef, you'll need strong leadership abilities. Prepare to talk about your experience managing teams, planning rotas, and supporting staff development. Think of situations where you've successfully motivated your team or resolved conflicts.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life scenarios, like how you'd handle staffing shortages or ensure compliance across multiple sites. Practise your responses to these types of questions so you can demonstrate your problem-solving skills and adaptability.
✨Engage with Their Mission
HCL is all about delivering high-quality food experiences for children. Show your passion for this mission during the interview. Share your thoughts on nutritious meals for schools and how you can contribute to their commitment to excellence.
