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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create exceptional dining experiences at Clifton College.
- Company: Join Sodexo, a leader in culinary excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible benefits, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of school dining while mentoring the next generation of culinary talent.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Head Chef with strong leadership and culinary skills.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant environment with access to mental health support and exclusive discounts.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 66000 £ per year.
Location: Clifton College, Guthrie Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3EZ
Salary: £52,000- £55,000 per annum + Flexible benefits fund of £1,300 to utilise across an array of benefits
Hours: 40 hours per week
Working Pattern: 5 out of 7 days to include weekends and evening where necessary
Exceptional Sodexo benefits with Great discounts & Recognition and Potential progression within Sodexo
Are you a passionate, innovative chef with a flair for leadership and a love for developing talent? Ready to use your skills to coordinate and direct core feeding as well as speciality and hospitality culinary activities in Clifton College one of England\’s most prestigious, historic Independent Schools?
We\’re looking for a dynamic Executive HeadChef to join our elite culinary team – a true food ambassador who thrives on variety, challenge, and the opportunity to shape the future of school dining.
What\’s the Role?
This is no ordinary chef position. As our Executive Head Chef, you\’ll be responsible for the timely and efficient preparation and delivery of the core catering and speciality and hospitality events to include any internal hospitality, external hospitality and off site event within all catering areas and venues within the College. You\’ll be at the forefront of culinary excellence in education.
What you will Do
- Coordinate and direct core feeding as well as speciality and hospitality culinary activities in Clifton College and other locations in which we are asked to cater.
- Manage and control the services to the agreed specification and to the agreed performance, qualitative and financial targets.
- Manage the kitchen team to increase the Client and Sodexo\’s revenue opportunities i.e. commercial opportunities and labour efficiency.
- Supply Chain Management – ensure value for money is achieved through robust management of purchasing.
- Assist the Contract Director to nurture client relationships in order to stabilise & develop them for long term partnerships
- Recruit, induct and develop talented employees within the kitchens and, if necessary, firmly and fairly manage poor performance.
- Responsible for driving Continuous Improvement and innovation to realise the expectations of the College Strategic and technical support – professional advice to customers, peers and the team.
- Ensuring that planning, costing and implementation of all menus using the Sodexo menu system to ensure all menus are balanced, provide variety and seasonality, exhibit innovation and current trends and are financially robust.
- To control the kitchen and store labour budget as part of the client labour budget ensuring personnel are scheduled against business needs in a cost effective manner
What We\’re Looking For
Essential
- Experienced Chef who has operated in a busy, client facing environment, working in a high volume establishment as a Head chef or Exec head chef, looking after a team of 20 kitchen staff.
- Direct management experience of chefs / kitchen brigade with Clear, strong and effective leadership style
- Flexible, with the ability to work under pressure and across a range of shifts and service times
- A true foodie, passionate about culinary trends, innovation, and developing people
- Strong leadership, financial, communication and interpersonal skills, you bring the energy and inspire those around you
- Ability to be an effective team player
- Intermediate Food Hygiene certificate, NVQ 2 Food Production certificate or equivalent
- IOSH Managing Safely
- Experience in fine dining, large team management or multi-site operations, a bonus!
- Strong ability to increase individuals\’ effectiveness through leadership, motivation, communication, coaching and training
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Ability to set and maintain standards
Desirable
- Ability to review problems analytically, develop opportunities and implement innovative solutions / approaches
- PC literate
- Advanced Food Safety or Health and Safety qualification
Please see full Job Description attached below
Why Join Us?
This is a career-defining opportunity to work with some of the best in the industry, in settings that shape future leaders.You\’ll help craft exceptional food experiences, influence culinary direction, and mentor rising stars – all while working in Scotland\’s most beautiful and inspiring educational environments.
Ready to stir things up and elevate school dining? Apply now and bring your passion, creativity, and leadership to the forefront of food innovation.
Additional Perks & Benefits
- Unlimited access to an online mental health and wellbeing support platform.
- An Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support.
- 24/7 access to a virtual GP service.
- Exclusive discounts for you, your family, and friends through the Sodexo Discounts Scheme.
- Membership in Pension Plan to help you save for your future.
- Learning and development opportunities to enhance your career growth.
- A Bike to Work Scheme, supporting both your fitness and the environment.
Ready to Be Part of Something Greater?
If you\’re looking for an opportunity where you can bring your passion, skills, and ambition to a company that truly values you, then this is it.
Apply today
Friendly customers. Vibrant communities. Exciting careers.
Please note: Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.
Sodexo are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children within schools. All successful candidates will undergo appropriate background, DBS (disclosure) and vetting checks.
The Job description, rewards and Benefits guide is attached
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Executive Head Chef employer: Sodexo
Contact Detail:
Sodexo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, whether it's through LinkedIn or local chef meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Consider hosting a pop-up event or cooking demonstration to showcase your culinary flair. This not only gets your name out there but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to places you’d love to work at, like Clifton College. A well-timed email expressing your interest can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning and adapting! Stay updated with the latest culinary trends and techniques. This shows potential employers that you're passionate about your craft and ready to innovate in their kitchen.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Culinary Arts: When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through! Share specific examples of your culinary journey and how you've developed your skills over time. We want to see that you're not just a chef, but a true food ambassador.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As an Executive Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated and developed your team in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others and create a positive kitchen environment.
Tailor Your Application to Us: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to our specific role at Clifton College. Mention how your experience aligns with our needs and how you can contribute to our culinary excellence.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get to know you better. So, don’t hesitate – hit that apply button and show us what you’ve got!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo
✨Know Your Culinary Trends
As an Executive Head Chef, it's crucial to stay updated on the latest culinary trends and innovations. Research current food trends and be ready to discuss how you can incorporate them into the school dining experience. This shows your passion for food and your ability to adapt to changing tastes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your leadership style and how you motivate and develop your staff. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, as this will demonstrate your capability to manage a large team effectively.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with the financial aspects of running a kitchen, such as budgeting and cost control. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed costs in previous roles and how you plan to ensure value for money at Clifton College. This will show that you can balance culinary excellence with financial responsibility.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about the role and the college's culinary vision. This not only shows your interest in the position but also allows you to gauge if the environment aligns with your values and goals as a chef.