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: Monday to Friday hours, £14 per hour, and loads of time off!
- Other info: Join a fast-growing company with endless career opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young minds through delicious food.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for quality food.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 30000 £ 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 involves taking 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! 35 hours per week 39 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.
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 Eastleigh employer: Miquill
Aspens Services is an exceptional employer that prioritises work-life balance, offering a Monday to Friday schedule during school term time, allowing you to enjoy your evenings and weekends free. With a strong focus on career growth and development, employees benefit from a dedicated Learning & Development team that provides training and apprenticeship opportunities, ensuring you can continually enhance your skills in a supportive and innovative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Eastleigh
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Aspens Services and their approach to school food. When you understand their values and mission, you can tailor your conversations to show how you fit right in.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral—always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to team leadership and culinary innovation. Think of examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills and passion for quality food.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining the Aspens family.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Eastleigh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for food and leadership shine through! We want to see how excited you are about creating fantastic food experiences for young minds.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in managing kitchens and leading teams. Use specific examples that demonstrate your culinary skills and financial acumen—this is your chance to show us what you've got!
Be Authentic:Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can inspire their team, so share your unique approach to leadership and innovation in the kitchen.
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 from our team!
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 take full operational responsibility.
✨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 led in the past. This will highlight your ability to elevate the dining experience and keep things fresh and engaging.
✨Lead with Passion
Team leadership is key for this role. Think about specific instances where you've coached or inspired your team to achieve excellence. Be ready to share your leadership style and how you motivate others to deliver high-quality service every day.
✨Safety First!
Make sure you're well-versed in health and safety practices. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in your previous kitchens. This will reassure them that you can maintain quality assurance and meet essential legislation standards.
