At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create amazing food experiences for students.
- Company: Aspens Services, a top contract caterer in school food.
- Benefits: Great work-life balance with no late nights or weekends.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and skill development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young minds through exceptional food.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for quality food.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 35000 £ per year.
Aspens Services is a market-leading contract caterer specialising in school food. We don't just serve meals—we create fantastic food experiences that fuel young minds! By blending deep knowledge of the education sector with the latest food trends, we encourage creativity and excitement in every kitchen.
Our commitment to quality care for both clients and children has fueled rapid growth, and we are looking for passionate people like you to join our journey.
The role:
We’re seeking an ambitious Chef Manager, ready to take full operational and financial responsibility for your school's catering facility! This role goes beyond the kitchen - it requires a visionary leader with the flair and originality to consistently deliver the highest quality food and service, elevating the dining experience and establishing this as one of the best school catering offers in the region!
Your responsibilities will include:
- Financial Control: Managing and improving all controllable costs, including stock, food and labour.
- Team Leadership: Lead, coach, train and inspire your kitchen team to deliver excellence every day.
- Culinary Innovation: Oversee menu development and drive sales through exciting monthly promotions and added-value events.
- Quality Assurance: Guarantee all standards, systems and essential legislation are met through regular audits and proactive management.
About you:
We’re looking for a passionate leader who is ready to drive excellence and profitability. If you’re hungry for a role where you can fully own the operation, you’ll need:
- A strong understanding of Gross Profit (GP) management and the strategic know-how to smash sales targets.
- Fantastic craft skills with a genuine commitment to using fresh ingredients to deliver exceptional quality food.
- Proven experience in line management—you know how to coach, motivate, and inspire to develop a high-performing team.
- Excellent knowledge of health and safety practices.
- A qualification like OND/HND is a bonus, but your on-the-job experience is what we’re truly after.
Why Join the Aspens Family?
- Great Work-Life Balance: You’ll work Monday to Friday during school term time - that means no late nights, no weekends and no working at Christmas!
- 27.5 hours per week, 38 weeks per year – what will you do with all that time off?
- £14 per hour
- Career Growth and Development: Join a fast-growing, ambitious company. We have no ceiling in terms of where you can take your career in catering.
- Benefit from a dedicated Learning & Development team offering apprenticeship and training courses to help you constantly develop your skills.
Ready to start a rewarding career with amazing hours? Apply today!
Please note: All staff must share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people. The company will seek an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Chef Manager in Cambridge employer: Miquill
Aspens Services is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for a Chef Manager to thrive in a supportive and innovative environment. With a strong focus on work-life balance, you will enjoy Monday to Friday hours during school term time, allowing for personal time and growth. Our commitment to employee development ensures that you can advance your career while creating fantastic food experiences that inspire young minds.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, industry contacts, or even friends who might know someone at Aspens Services. A personal connection can make all the difference in landing that Chef Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary flair! When you get the chance for an interview, bring along a portfolio of your best dishes or menu ideas. This will not only showcase your skills but also demonstrate your passion for creating fantastic food experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you would handle financial control and team leadership scenarios. Being ready with examples from your past experience will show that you're the visionary leader they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Aspens family and ready to take on the challenge of managing a school catering facility.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through! Share your culinary experiences and how they align with our mission to create fantastic food experiences for young minds.
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 inspired and developed teams in the past—this is your chance to show us you're the visionary leader we're looking for!
Demonstrate Financial Savvy:We want to see that you understand financial control and can manage costs effectively. Include examples of how you've successfully managed budgets or improved profitability in previous roles—numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your Application:Make your application stand out by tailoring it to the role. Use keywords from the job description and show us how your skills and experiences make you the perfect fit for our school catering team. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Miquill
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Chef Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of Gross Profit management. Brush up on your financial knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed costs in previous roles. This will show that you can handle the operational side of the job.
✨Showcase Your Culinary Creativity
Prepare to talk about your experience with menu development and culinary innovation. Bring examples of exciting promotions or events you've implemented in the past. This will highlight your ability to elevate the dining experience and keep things fresh and engaging.
✨Leadership is Key
Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led and inspired a kitchen team. Discuss your coaching techniques and how you've motivated staff to achieve excellence. This will demonstrate that you're not just a great cook, but also a strong leader who can build a high-performing team.
✨Health and Safety Know-How
Make sure you’re familiar with health and safety practices relevant to catering. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles. This shows that you take quality assurance seriously and can maintain high standards in the kitchen.
