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- Tasks: Lead culinary innovation and develop nutritious menus for schools across the North and Midlands.
- Company: A leading player in UK education catering, focused on quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, generous holiday, and performance bonuses.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' meals while driving food trends in schools.
- Qualifications: Strong culinary skills, experience in P&L management, and a passion for food innovation.
- Other info: Supportive environment with clear pathways for professional growth and team mentoring.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Our client is a dominant force in the UK education catering sector, managing large-scale food service contracts for primary and secondary schools. Their operation is defined by a dual focus: maintaining strict adherence to nutritional standards while implementing modern, trend-led menu innovations. Following a period of significant market expansion, they are looking for a Culinary Director to oversee the continued growth and operational quality in the North and Midlands regions.
Our client is seeking a dynamic and commercially minded Culinary Director to lead the delivery and evolution of their food proposition across their primary and secondary school portfolio. This is a pivotal leadership role focused on bringing food innovation to life, ensuring their menus are nutritious, sustainable, and—most importantly—loved by students.
The Culinary Director will be the culinary engine of the business, responsible for translating food trends into scalable school menus, driving operational efficiency, and hitting financial targets. You will be a key player in protecting gross profit margins through smart kitchen management, waste reduction, and maximising our clients' procurement partnerships, all while maintaining the high standards of food safety that the company is known for.
What our client offers:
- Highly Competitive Salary + Car Allowance
- 28 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays + A day off for your birthday!
- 10% performance-based bonus
- Generous pension scheme and private healthcare, as well as a high street discount & rewards, a wellbeing platform, enhanced family-friendly leave and a buy and sell holiday scheme
- A supportive environment with clear pathways for professional growth
Core Responsibilities:
- Menu & Innovation: Develop on-trend, nutritionally compliant menus for primary and secondary schools, ensuring 100% adherence to School Food Standards, allergen legislation (Natasha’s Law) and dietary requirements.
- Commercial Performance: Protect Gross Profit through strict cost control, waste reduction, ensuring site-level compliance and utilising core suppliers.
- Operational Excellence: Standardise recipes and presentation guides to guarantee consistent food quality across all Aspens contracts.
- Sales & Growth: Lead the culinary delivery of sales presentations, food tastings, and the smooth mobilisation of new school contracts.
- Team Coaching: Mentoring and upskilling kitchen teams through hands-on training and clear, practical guidance.
- Safety & Compliance: Ensure all sites operate to the highest HACCP and food safety standards.
Essential Skills and Qualifications:
- Strong GP and P&L management skills to drive kitchen performance
- Comfortable and confident in front-of-house delivery, with a track record of winning bids through engaging food tastings and pitches.
- Passionate, innovative foodie who can translate the latest high-street food trends into creative high-volume school menus
- High level of culinary skill with a roll-up-sleeves approach to training and demonstrating techniques
- Ability to inspire and mentor diverse teams across multiple locations
- Solid understanding of UK School Food Standards and food safety legislation.
- A pragmatic problem-solver, a true food enthusiast, and someone who thrives on the variety of a multi-site role.
Interested? Please apply and we'll arrange to talk in more detail.
Culinary Director employer: PINEAPPLE RECRUITMENT LTD
Contact Detail:
PINEAPPLE RECRUITMENT LTD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Culinary Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend culinary events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Culinary Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary flair! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your innovative menus and successful projects. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your passion for food trends.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss how you can drive operational excellence and protect gross profit margins. Tailor your approach to highlight your experience with school food standards and team coaching.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Culinary Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your culinary journey and how it aligns with our mission to create nutritious and trendy menus for schools. We want to see that spark of creativity and enthusiasm!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; dive into the details! Talk about specific projects where you’ve driven innovation or improved operational efficiency. We’re looking for concrete examples that showcase your skills and achievements in the culinary world.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the job description. Highlight your experience with school food standards and your ability to manage costs effectively. We appreciate when candidates take the time to connect their background with what we’re looking for!
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at PINEAPPLE RECRUITMENT LTD
✨Know Your Menus
Before the interview, dive deep into current food trends and how they can be applied to school menus. Be ready to discuss innovative ideas that align with nutritional standards and how you can make them appealing to students.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring kitchen staff and driving operational excellence, as this role requires strong team coaching abilities.
✨Understand Financials
Brush up on your GP and P&L management skills. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve protected gross profit margins in previous roles and your strategies for cost control and waste reduction.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect to tackle real-life scenarios during the interview. Think about how you would handle menu development under tight budgets or how to ensure compliance with food safety standards across multiple sites.
