At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic catering operation, ensuring high-quality food and exceptional service.
- Company: Prestigious independent school in Tunbridge Wells with a focus on fresh food.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, term time only, excellent work-life balance.
- Other info: 40 hours per week, flexible working pattern, DBS check required.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' dining experiences while enjoying a balanced lifestyle.
- Qualifications: Experienced Chef Manager or strong Head Chef ready for progression.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
Independent School Catering (Term Time Only), Tunbridge Wells, Kent, up to £45,000
Are you a talented Head Chef ready to take the next step into management, or an experienced Chef Manager looking for a better work-life balance? We are recruiting on behalf of a prestigious independent secondary school near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, for an experienced and passionate Chef Manager to lead a busy and successful catering operation. This is an exciting opportunity to oversee a high-quality food offering across core dining, hospitality, and school events, with a strong focus on fresh food and exceptional service standards - all within a term time only position, offering an excellent work-life balance.
The Role
As Chef Manager, you will be fully responsible for the day-to-day running of the catering operation, leading both front and back of house teams while ensuring high standards across all areas. Key responsibilities include:
- Managing the daily catering operation across the school site
- Leading, motivating, and developing a large FOH and BOH team
- Building strong relationships with senior leadership, staff, pupils, and parents
- Managing budgets, forecasting, P&L, and financial reporting
- Menu planning, including dietary and allergen management
- Maintaining exceptional food quality, presentation, and service standards
- Overseeing hospitality and event catering functions
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- An experienced Chef Manager, Catering Manager, or a strong Head Chef ready for progression
- Experienced within education catering or B&I catering environments
- A confident leader with excellent people management skills
- Passionate about fresh food and high culinary standards
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- An excellent communicator who can engage with pupils, staff, and stakeholders
- Flexible, proactive, and positive in approach
Additional Information
- Term time only position
- 40 hours per week
- Working pattern: 5 days out of 7
- Competitive salary up to £45,000
- DBS check required for the successful candidate
Interested and keen to apply? Then we'd love to hear from you.
Chef Manager for Independent School Catering. Job in Tunbridge Wells LilyLifestyle Jobs employer: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
Join a prestigious independent school in Tunbridge Wells as a Chef Manager, where you will enjoy a rewarding career leading a dedicated catering team in a supportive and vibrant environment. With a focus on fresh food and exceptional service, this term-time only role offers an excellent work-life balance, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth within the education sector. Experience the satisfaction of contributing to the well-being of students while working in a collaborative atmosphere that values your culinary expertise.
Contact Details:
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager for Independent School Catering. Job in Tunbridge Wells LilyLifestyle Jobs
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the catering and education sectors. 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 culinary skills! If you get the chance, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demonstration. This is a great way to showcase your talent and passion for fresh food directly to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s values and catering needs. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their focus on high-quality food and exceptional service standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you’re serious about joining the team at this prestigious independent school.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager for Independent School Catering. Job in Tunbridge Wells LilyLifestyle Jobs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for fresh food and high culinary standards shine through. Share any experiences that highlight your passion for cooking and how it aligns with our focus on exceptional service.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your people management skills in your application. Talk about your experience in motivating and developing teams, and how you've built strong relationships in previous roles.
Be Detail-Oriented:We value attention to detail, especially when it comes to menu planning and food presentation. In your application, mention specific examples where your organisational skills made a difference in your previous catering roles.
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!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Make sure you’re familiar with the types of dishes you’ll be expected to prepare and serve. Research the school’s catering style and think about how you can incorporate fresh, high-quality ingredients into your menu planning.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated your staff or resolved conflicts, as this role requires strong people management skills.
✨Understand Budget Management
Brush up on your financial skills, especially around budgeting and forecasting. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed costs in previous roles and how you plan to maintain profitability while ensuring quality.
✨Engage with the School Community
Think about how you can build relationships with pupils, staff, and parents. Prepare to discuss your approach to communication and how you would engage with the school community to enhance the dining experience.
