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- Tasks: Lead a vibrant café, creating fresh dishes and managing a close-knit team.
- Company: Award-winning independent caterer with a focus on quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: £41,000 salary, free meals, pension, and birthday off.
- Why this job: Enjoy autonomy, creativity, and a fantastic work-life balance from Monday to Friday.
- Qualifications: Experience in café management and a passion for fresh food and customer service.
- Other info: Join a top-rated company that values its people and offers growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 41000 - 41000 £ per year.
A fantastic opportunity for a hands-on Chef Manager to lead a small, high-quality café operation in Stevenage. Based within a professional client environment, this is a beautifully run site offering freshly made sandwiches, daily bistro-style dishes, hospitality catering, baking and barista coffee. It's a role where quality, consistency and a personal touch make all the difference. Houston & Hawkes are looking for someone who enjoys being fully involved - from preparing food and supporting service to leading a small team and ensuring the site runs smoothly day to day. This is an ideal opportunity for a chef who values autonomy, creativity and a strong work-life balance within a Monday to Friday structure.
THE ROLE
- Leading a small café and hospitality operation with full ownership of standards
- Preparing fresh, high-quality food including sandwiches, daily bistro dishes and baking
- Supporting hospitality requests and client catering needs
- Overseeing barista service and supporting the coffee bar when required
- Managing stock, ordering and day-to-day kitchen operations
- Monitoring food quality, consistency and presentation
- Maintaining excellent hygiene, food safety and compliance standards
- Supporting and developing a small, close-knit team
ABOUT YOU
- Experience managing a café, kitchen or small food operation
- Confident leading a small team in a hands-on environment
- Passion for fresh food, coffee and customer experience
- Flexible and willing to support all areas of the operation, including barista service
- Organised, reliable and proactive in approach
- Experience with stock control, purchasing and budgeting preferred
- Level 3 Food Safety desirable (training can be provided)
WHAT WE OFFER
- £41,000 per annum
- Monday to Friday excellent work-life balance
- 40 hours per week
- Free meals at work
- Contributory pension and life assurance (2 salary)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Day off on your birthday
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Training, development and progression opportunities
- Membership of CODE Hospitality
ABOUT HOUSTON & HAWKES
Houston & Hawkes is an award-winning independent caterer, ranked among the Top 30 Best Companies to Work for in Hospitality and a certified B Corp. We are passionate about delivering vibrant, creative and sustainable food and we invest in the talented people who make it happen. A perfect role for a Chef Manager who enjoys quality food, a close-knit team and a well-balanced working week.
Chef Manager in Stevenage employer: Houston and Hawkes
Contact Detail:
Houston and Hawkes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Stevenage
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Houston & Hawkes and their values. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their mission and the quality of food they serve.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Be ready to showcase your culinary talents during the interview. Maybe even bring a sample of your signature dish to impress them. It’s all about showing you can deliver the high-quality food they’re after.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership style! Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully managed a team in the past. They want to see that you can lead with confidence while keeping the atmosphere positive and collaborative.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! This isn’t just about them interviewing you; it’s your chance to find out if this role is right for you too. Ask about their approach to sustainability or how they support their staff’s development. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for fresh food and quality service shine through. Share any experiences that highlight your culinary skills and your commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a small team, so make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Talk about how you've successfully managed a team in the past and how you foster a positive working environment.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Tailor your application by including specific examples of your previous roles in café or kitchen management. Mention any relevant experience with stock control, budgeting, or food safety standards to show you're the right fit for us.
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 regarding your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Houston and Hawkes
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of dishes and ingredients that Houston & Hawkes typically use. Being able to discuss your favourite recipes or suggest improvements shows your passion for fresh food and creativity.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a small team in the past. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you’ve motivated your team to maintain high standards in food quality and customer service.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Be ready to talk about your experience with stock control, ordering, and budgeting. Share specific instances where your organisational skills have helped streamline kitchen operations or improve efficiency.
✨Emphasise Your Customer Focus
Since this role involves a lot of customer interaction, think of examples where you’ve gone above and beyond to enhance the customer experience. Discuss how you ensure quality and consistency in every dish served.