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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant café, creating fresh dishes and managing a close-knit team.
- Company: Award-winning independent caterer with a passion for quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: £41,000 salary, free meals, pension, and a day off on your birthday.
- Other info: Join a top-rated company with excellent training and progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Enjoy a creative role with a great work-life balance in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in café management and a passion for fresh food and customer service.
The predicted salary is between 41000 - 41000 £ per year.
Houston & Hawkes is seeking a hands-on Chef Manager to lead a small, high-quality café operation in Stevenage. Based within a professional client environment, this site offers freshly made sandwiches, daily bistro-style dishes, hospitality catering, baking and barista coffee. The role emphasises quality, consistency and a personal touch, with involvement from food preparation and service to leading a small team and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. This position provides 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 & Hawkes
Contact Detail:
Houston & Hawkes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Stevenage
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food industry, attend local events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Chef Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your culinary creations or even a video of you in action. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their café and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Houston & Hawkes is all about quality and sustainability, so think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Bring your passion for fresh food and customer service to the forefront!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s get you that Chef Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for fresh food and coffee shine through. Share any experiences that highlight your culinary skills and how you’ve created memorable dining experiences.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you’ve successfully led a team in the past. Mention specific examples of how you’ve motivated your team and ensured smooth operations in a café or kitchen environment.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented: Make sure to showcase your organisational skills in your application. Talk about your experience with stock control, budgeting, and maintaining hygiene standards — these details matter to us!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get to know you better. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Houston & Hawkes
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of dishes and ingredients that Houston & Hawkes focuses on. Be ready to discuss your favourite recipes or how you would approach creating a new dish for their café. This shows your passion for fresh food and creativity.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a small team. Think about examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed a team or resolved conflicts. Be prepared to share how you motivate and support your team while maintaining high standards in the kitchen.
✨Demonstrate Your Customer Focus
Since this role involves a strong customer experience element, come prepared with examples of how you've gone above and beyond for customers in previous roles. Discuss how you would ensure that every dish served meets the quality and presentation standards expected by clients.
✨Prepare Questions About Operations
Show your interest in the day-to-day operations by preparing thoughtful questions. Ask about their stock control processes or how they maintain hygiene standards. This not only demonstrates your knowledge but also your proactive approach to managing a successful café operation.