At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team in delivering fresh, seasonal food and exceptional customer service.
- Company: Join Houston & Hawkes, an award-winning independent caterer with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, free meals, and excellent work-life balance.
- Other info: Opportunities for training, development, and genuine career progression await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a stunning environment while developing your culinary leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Previous Chef Manager experience and a passion for fresh food and customer service.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 46000 £ per year.
An exceptional opportunity for an experienced Chef Manager to lead one of Houston & Hawkes' most established sites in Bristol. Set within a stunning modern corporate environment, this site has an excellent client relationship, a passionate team, and a fresh food culture at its heart. It's the kind of operation where quality is genuinely valued, people are supported to succeed, and hospitality professionals can take real pride in what they deliver every day.
Houston & Hawkes are seeking a passionate and commercially minded Chef Manager to take ownership of both the kitchen and front of house operation. Leading a dedicated team, you will be responsible for maintaining outstanding standards, developing your people, and ensuring every guest experience reflects the quality and professionalism that Houston & Hawkes is known for. With fresh food prepared daily, hospitality and events, and a client that genuinely values quality catering, this role offers the perfect balance of leadership, creativity, and work-life balance.
THE ROLE- Leading and inspiring both the kitchen and front of house teams
- Managing the day-to-day operation of a successful workplace restaurant and hospitality service
- Delivering fresh, seasonal food to the highest standards
- Overseeing hospitality and event catering requirements
- Driving food quality, presentation, and customer experience across all services
- Building and maintaining excellent client relationships
- Managing budgets, stock control, purchasing, and financial performance
- Completing bookwork, reporting, and administrative responsibilities
- Ensuring exceptional food safety, allergen management, and compliance standards
- Creating a positive, engaged, and high-performing team culture
- Previous Chef Manager experience within contract catering, hospitality, or workplace dining
- Experience managing both kitchen and front of house teams
- A genuine passion for fresh food and exceptional customer service
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities
- Confident managing budgets, purchasing, and stock control
- Strong allergen management and food safety knowledge
- Computer literate and comfortable with reporting, ordering, and administration systems
- Organised, professional, and able to lead by example
- A proactive, hands-on approach with a desire to continuously improve standards
- £46,000 per annum
- Monday to Friday working pattern
- Excellent work-life balance
- Free meals at work
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance at two times salary
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Day off on your birthday
- Membership of CODE Hospitality
- Summer & Christmas parties
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Enhanced family-friendly benefits
- Training, development, and genuine career progression opportunities
Houston & Hawkes is an award-winning independent caterer and certified B Corp, recently ranked No. 14 in the Top 30 Best Companies to Work for in Hospitality. We are passionate about exceptional food, outstanding service, and creating workplaces where talented people can build rewarding careers. Our teams operate within some of the UK's most prestigious corporate environments, delivering vibrant, creative, and sustainable hospitality experiences every day.
If you're looking for a Chef Manager role that combines a fantastic client, a great team, fresh food, and genuine work-life balance, this could be the perfect next step in your career.
Chef Manager in Slough employer: Houston and Hawkes
Houston & Hawkes is an exceptional employer that prioritises both quality food and a supportive work environment, making it an ideal place for a Chef Manager to thrive. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, excellent work-life balance, and a vibrant corporate culture, team members are encouraged to take pride in their contributions while enjoying benefits such as free meals, enhanced family-friendly policies, and opportunities for professional development. Join a passionate team in Bristol where your culinary skills and leadership can shine in a setting that values both people and food.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, attend local events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Chef Manager role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demonstration. This is your chance to shine and show potential employers what you're made of in a real kitchen environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to Houston & Hawkes or similar companies. Express your interest in working with them and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities for a Chef Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your online presence sharp! Update your LinkedIn profile and showcase your achievements in the kitchen and front of house. Make sure it reflects your passion for fresh food and exceptional service, so when employers check you out, they see the perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for fresh food and exceptional service shine through. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who genuinely cares about the quality of what you serve and the experience of every guest.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated teams in the past and how you plan to inspire our kitchen and front of house staff at Houston & Hawkes.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; give us the juicy details! Share specific examples of how you've managed budgets, maintained food safety standards, or improved customer experiences. This will help us see how you can bring your expertise to our team.
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 out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Houston and Hawkes
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
As a Chef Manager, you'll need to showcase your passion for fresh food. Familiarise yourself with seasonal ingredients and be ready to discuss how you would create dishes that reflect quality and creativity. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role and your understanding of what Houston & Hawkes values.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your experience in leading both kitchen and front of house teams. Think of specific examples where you've motivated your team or improved service standards. This will help the interviewers see how you can inspire and develop their passionate team.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since managing budgets and stock control is key, be ready to discuss your experience with financial performance. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed costs while maintaining quality. This will show that you're commercially minded and can handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Build Rapport with the Interviewers
Houston & Hawkes values excellent client relationships, so practice building rapport during your interview. Be personable, engage with your interviewers, and ask insightful questions about their operations. This will highlight your strong communication skills and your ability to connect with others.
