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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a kitchen team while managing operations and finances in school catering.
- Company: Aspens Services, a leading contract caterer focused on school food experiences.
- Benefits: Great work-life balance with no late nights or weekends, plus career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young minds through exceptional food and service.
- Qualifications: Experience in culinary management and a passion for fresh ingredients.
- Other info: Join a fast-growing company with dedicated training and development support.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 30000 £ per year.
Overview
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 fuelled rapid growth, and we are looking for passionate people like you to join our journey.
The Role
We’re seeking an ambitious Relief Chef Manager, ready to take full operational and financial responsibility for the catering facility of the schools within your region. 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
- 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.
- You have fantastic craft skills with a genuine commitment to using fresh ingredients to deliver exceptional quality food.
- Motivational Leader: 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 full UK driving licence
- 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!
- 30 hours per week
- 38 weeks per year – what will you do with all that time off?
- £21,500 per annum
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.
Ready to start a rewarding career with amazing hours? Apply today!
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.
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Relief Chef Manager employer: Wes Rice: Development + Design
Contact Detail:
Wes Rice: Development + Design Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Relief Chef Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, especially those who have experience with school food services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, bring samples of your best dishes to interviews or networking events. Nothing speaks louder than delicious food when it comes to showcasing your craft.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk numbers! Brush up on your financial control knowledge and be prepared to discuss how you've managed costs and driven sales in previous roles. This will show you're not just a chef, but a savvy manager too.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join the Aspens family.
We think you need these skills to ace Relief Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for food and catering shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about creating fantastic food experiences for young minds.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Relief Chef Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing costs, leading teams, and any culinary innovations you've introduced. We love seeing how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; give us specific examples of how you’ve driven excellence in your past positions. Whether it’s improving GP management or leading a successful team, we want to hear about your achievements!
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 us during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wes Rice: Development + Design
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Relief Chef Manager, you'll need to demonstrate a strong 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 handle the financial responsibilities of the position.
✨Showcase Your Culinary Creativity
Prepare to talk about your experience with menu development and culinary innovation. Think of specific examples where you've introduced exciting promotions or events that boosted sales. This will highlight your ability to elevate the dining experience and keep things fresh for the students.
✨Leadership is Key
Be ready to share your leadership style and how you've motivated your team in the past. Think of instances where you've coached or inspired your kitchen staff to achieve excellence. This will demonstrate that you're not just a chef, but a visionary leader who can drive a high-performing team.
✨Health and Safety Know-How
Since quality assurance and health and safety are crucial in this role, prepare to discuss your knowledge and experience in these areas. Be specific about the practices you've implemented to ensure compliance and how you've conducted audits to maintain high standards.
