Executive Chef Manager

Overview

Be among the first 25 applicants. Dover, England. Contract: Full Time, Permanent. Salary: £54,000 per annum. Hours: 40-45 per week.

A fabulous co-educational independent boarding school for children with military traditions. Set in 150 acres of Kent countryside near Dover. Catering for about 570 students and teachers. There will be a core feeding of AM snack, Lunch, PM snack, Supper and a 6th form cafe. The school operates 7 days a week with working patterns of 5 out of 7 days and benefits including free parking and use of the on-site gym. Contracted 52 weeks per year.

We are looking for a talented Executive Chef Manager to join our team at one of our prestigious locations in Dover. You will have experience of working within a fast-paced kitchen at Head Chef level (ideally within either contract catering – B&I or Independent Education). You will be excited to work with fresh seasonal ingredients and regularly changing bespoke menus which you create. You will be creative and have the opportunity to showcase your skillset every day.

Responsibilities

• To operate, monitor and control the Food Production and Service Production to ensure that the food is produced and presented to the highest standards, according to the Thomas Franks standards and client requirements.
• Ensure that the Thomas Franks Fresh Food standards are adhered to by all staff, using local, sustainably sourced and in-season produce with approved suppliers.
• Plan and devise menus for nutritional value, current food styles and customer expectations for daily service, functions, hospitality or special events.
• Ensure prompt service of all meals, restock and replenish stocks as required during service, pre-empt customer needs and achieve optimum service delivery.
• Maintain hygienic and clean production, storage and service areas and equipment, with strong food safety and health and safety practices.
• Ensure preparation of all food for sale/service meets exemplary hygiene and food safety standards; staff adhere to these procedures on health, safety and hygiene at all times.
• Keep Front of House informed of any food running out and pre-empt delays in customer waiting.
• Assist in planning menus, rotas, and placing orders.
• Ensure kitchen operates in line with current health and safety regulations.
• Attend meetings and training courses as required.

General Responsibilities

• Attend staff meetings as required.
• Adhere to policies and procedural requirements of legislation and the company to promote a professional and flexible approach.
• Maintain high standards of personal presentation.
• Carry out checks for food temperatures in service and associated areas.
• Respond to reasonable requests from management.

Person Specification

• Team working abilities, listening skills, ability to work on own initiative, impeccable personal presentation, hygiene and behaviour; food hygiene certificate preferred.
• Adaptable and flexible; reliable, honest with a customer-focused approach.
• Willingness to learn new skills and take some responsibility.

Knowledge / Competencies

• Good understanding of verbal English; good written English and reading skills.
• Experience in customer-facing and/or food preparation environments is essential.
• Recognised cooking qualification such as City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or equivalent.
• Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification.

Benefits

• Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
• Free meals on duty
• Volunteer leave – up to one day per year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Refer a friend bonus.
• Unrivalled training and development; well-established apprenticeship programme.
• Team & company social events.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Workplace pension.
• Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.

About Us

Thomas Franks is a founder-led, fresh food catering business focused on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in our approach and our clients and our people are paramount to our daily success.

Disclaimer

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role. An enhanced DBS, Identity & reference checks will form part of the selection process, and we are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and ensuring fair treatment in recruitment. For posts in schools, any criminal conviction, caution or bind-over must be declared as required by law.

Diversity and Inclusion

We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion; we invite applications from groups currently under-represented, as we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and a better working life.