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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create imaginative, nutritious menus for students.
- Company: Join Holroyd Howe, a top UK contract caterer focused on independent schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, free meals, and bespoke training opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative culinary culture in a stunning countryside setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in a Chef role with excellent management and communication skills required.
- Other info: Commitment to sustainability and nutrition is at the heart of our mission.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
Company Description
Location: Milton Abbey School, Blandford Forum
Salary: £40,000 per annum + amazing benefits, with the potential for a performance-related bonus based on agreed KPIs.
Benefits:
- 28 days holiday
- 3 volunteering days
- 3 days grandparent leave
- 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
- Bespoke training and development opportunities
- Pension and life insurance
- Discounts available on our Perkbox app; high street shops, holidays & cinema
- Wellbeing hub
- Access to employee assistance programme
- Free meals whilst at work
- Career development opportunities
- HIT Apprenticeships for all experience levels
Are you a seasoned inspirational and creative Head Chef with a passion for creating exceptional dining experiences? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for a passionate Head Chef to be the driving force behind this prestigious independent school's culinary program.
Join us at Milton Abbey School in Dorset, a co-ed independent school for ages 13-18 with day and boarding options. Enjoy a stunning countryside setting and a role offering breakfast, lunch, and supper services. You will work 5 out of 7 days with a well-organised schedule that promotes work-life balance.
Job Description
As a Head Chef your focus is to work closely with your teams to develop a great work relationship and together provide the best customer service. As well as having excellent presentation, organisational and communication skills, you will be able to demonstrate a real passion for food & service and possess bags of enthusiasm.
Responsibilities:
- Craft imaginative and nutritionally balanced menus that cater to diverse tastes, dietary preferences, and nutritional needs of our students.
- Lead a dynamic kitchen team by example, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and efficiency.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the kitchen, ensuring high standards of food quality and service.
- Maintain strict adherence to health and safety regulations, ensuring a clean and organised kitchen environment.
Qualifications
- Thrive on getting the best out of people and maximising commercial opportunities
- Excellent kitchen management skills
- Fresh ideas menus
- Draw satisfaction from managing, training and supporting a team
- Provide a professional catering service, ensuring that company standards are maintained and that Client expectations are met
- Previous experience in a Chef role ideally in Contract Catering, Events or Hotel / Conferencing
- Strong understanding of report writing and financial management.
- Excellent supervisory and communication skills
- Good delegation and influencing skills
- Ability to display a real passion for food and customer service
- Hands on approach
Additional Information
Holroyd Howe is one of the UK's leading contract caterers, providing fresh innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges. We are a team of experienced professionals who tailor our catering service provision specifically to suit children of all ages in order to meet the bespoke requirements of each school.
To provide our teams with the right skills to succeed in their jobs, we invest in their training and development. Our exceptional teams of seasoned specialists customise our catering services to fit children of all ages and satisfy the unique needs of our clients.
We pride ourselves on:
- Sustainability: Sustainability is at the heart of our thinking; always mindful of the ethics of our sourcing and how we prepare our meals.
- Nutrition: We take nutrition seriously and understand the impact a healthy diet has on the fundamental years of development. Meals are always freshly prepared from scratch and packed with nutritious ingredients.
- Food Innovation: We offer a wide portfolio of training opportunities and experiences, which attracts chefs who are passionate about culinary excellence and menu innovation to our team.
From tasting tables, theme days and food theatre, to chef demonstrations and supplier showcases, we create engaging and fun dining experiences for our students. We work together to make mealtimes exploratory, quirky, and fun for our pupils, helping them build strong and healthy relationships with food.
Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe are regarded as regulated activity and therefore we require an Enhanced DBS which includes a Barred List Check for all successful applicants. We will also require shortlisted applicants to provide appropriate information regarding their criminal offences.
This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.
Head Chef - Dorset employer: Holroyd Howe
Contact Detail:
Holroyd Howe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Dorset
✨Tip Number 1
Showcase your passion for food and service during any interactions with the hiring team. Share specific examples of how you've created exceptional dining experiences in previous roles, as this aligns perfectly with what they're looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in nutrition and sustainability, as these are key values for Holroyd Howe. Being able to discuss how you can incorporate these elements into your menu planning will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to demonstrate your leadership skills by discussing how you've successfully managed and inspired kitchen teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster a collaborative environment, which is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Milton Abbey School and its community to understand their unique needs and preferences. Tailoring your approach to show how you can meet these specific requirements will make a strong impression on the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Dorset
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in kitchen management, menu creation, and team leadership. Emphasise any previous roles in contract catering or similar environments to align with the job requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and service. Mention specific examples of how you've led teams, created innovative menus, and maintained high standards in previous roles.
Showcase Your Creativity: Include a section in your application that outlines your approach to menu development. Share ideas for imaginative and nutritionally balanced dishes that cater to diverse dietary needs, demonstrating your culinary creativity.
Highlight Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to lead and inspire a kitchen team. Provide examples of how you've fostered a collaborative environment and maximised team performance in past positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Holroyd Howe
✨Showcase Your Passion for Food
During the interview, make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for culinary arts. Share specific examples of how you've created innovative menus or improved dining experiences in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Highlight your experience in managing and training kitchen staff, and discuss how you foster a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and efficiency.
✨Emphasise Health and Safety Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of health and safety regulations in the kitchen. Provide examples of how you've maintained high standards of cleanliness and organisation in past positions.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle specific situations, such as dietary restrictions or menu planning for diverse tastes. Think through your responses in advance to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and adaptability.
