At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented kitchen team, creating stunning seasonal dishes for students and staff.
- Company: Join Wilson Vale, a quality-led contract caterer with a passion for exceptional food.
- Benefits: Enjoy great work-life balance, free training, and your birthday off every year!
- Why this job: Be part of a creative culture that values fresh ingredients and innovative cooking.
- Qualifications: Experience in premium hospitality, strong leadership, and a love for food are essential.
- Other info: This role offers a unique opportunity to impact the community through food.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity to become our new Head Chefat one of our independent schools in Yorkshire, DN9.
This is a permanent position working 40+ hours per week, Monday to Friday, 7am – 5:30pm including some late evenings and weekends. Term time only
Do you love creating stunning restaurant food and are looking for work hours that give you a work-life balance like no other sector in the hospitality industry?
Wilson Vale is an established, quality-led contract caterer. We work with amazing clients across the UK who place huge value on great food as a key part of their culture and community. We work in office restaurants, independent schools and at conference venues with the same high-end ethos throughout.
Our culture unites us. We stand for craft, quality, creative freedom, forward thinking and integrity. We never compromise on our commitment to fresh, seasonal produce and the fantastic people that make it all happen!
We are looking for a passionate and experienced Head Chef to joina talented kitchen team at a thriving independent school, delivering exceptional food for pupils, staff, and special school events.
As Head Chef, you will oversee the daily kitchen operations, takingresponsibility for the preparation and cooking of fresh, seasonal dishes. You\’ll also deputise for the Chef Manager in their absence, ensuring a seamless and high-quality service is always maintained.
You will also be responsible for delivering consistent food standards following both the Wilson Vale brand standards and also adding that additional flair to our service. You will need fresh and current menu ideas and must be able to show passionin your work. Supporting the Chef Manager, youβll also help train and develop the team, bringing energy and innovation to every service.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Cater to the needs of all customers
- Be responsible, dedicated and a strong leader with the ability to assist and manage a team
- Deliver consistent food standards following the Wilson Vale brand standards.
- Deliver fresh, seasonal and innovative food from around the world to all customers
- Responsible for food safety, hygiene and Health and Safety both in practice and keeping relevant records
- Allergy reporting and responsibility for sign-posting to customers
- Budgeting, ordering, stock taking
- Training
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- LOVEfood, and love working in a team.
- Positive attitude
- Have good customer service skills and strong communication skills.
- Be able to work in a high-pressured environment.
- Strong premium hospitality experience in another venue
- Local knowledge and experience working in the area
- A passion for exceptional service is essential
- Strong understanding of service styles, food trends
- Innovation and creativity
- A passion for training and development
- Exceptional presentation skills
- Articulate and very well organised
- Proactive and reliable
OUR CULTURE:
- Craft at our core β we pride ourselves on our craft-skilled chefs who create wonderful fresh food from scratch.
- tβs all about the food β the menu is the most important document our chefs write every week.
- Quality, seasonal ingredients β 300+ British suppliers and our chefs can source locally.
- Freedom to create β our teams love to cook up exciting food themes and pop-ups to keep the food fun.
- Support like no other β our business was founded by family and we have stayed true to those same family values of nurturing development, protecting our values and building trust and loyalty.
- Making food that not only tastes great but is good for the planet. We have always had a strong environmental ethos and are dedicated to our social and environmental commitments.
- We believe in tailored training and opportunities to build your career with us.
WILSON VALE PERKS:
- Our working hours are some of the best you\’ll find in catering – we are strong believers in work-life balance
- Our working environment is fun and inspiring, with excellent career development opportunities
- Craft Works β Free craft-focused career development training programme
- Paid training bespoke to you
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme- your wellbeing is very important to us
- Online employee benefits scheme -monetary savings on everyday items!
- Your Birthday off every year after 1 yearsβ service.
- Enhanced Maternity Pay
Wilson Vale is an equal opportunities employer that strives to create an inclusive working environment for all. We are committed to supporting our people and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. From each and every person in our catering teams, to our operations and central support teams β everyone at has a voice.
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Head Chef employer: Wilson Vale
Contact Detail:
Wilson Vale Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Wilson Vale's ethos and values. Understanding their commitment to fresh, seasonal produce and quality service will help you align your passion for food with their mission during any discussions or interviews.
β¨Tip Number 2
Showcase your creativity by preparing a unique dish that reflects your culinary style. This could be a great conversation starter in interviews and demonstrates your ability to innovate within the kitchen.
β¨Tip Number 3
Network with other professionals in the hospitality industry, especially those who have experience in contract catering or school environments. They may provide insights or even referrals that can give you an edge in the application process.
β¨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you would train and develop a kitchen team. Highlighting your experience in managing staff and fostering a positive work environment will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in the culinary field, particularly in high-pressure environments. Emphasise your leadership skills and any experience you have in training and developing kitchen teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food and cooking. Mention specific examples of how you've created innovative dishes or improved kitchen operations in previous roles. Show that you align with Wilson Vale's values of quality and creativity.
Showcase Your Menu Ideas: If possible, include a brief section in your application that outlines some fresh and seasonal menu ideas you would consider implementing. This will demonstrate your creativity and understanding of current food trends.
Highlight Your Customer Service Skills: Since the role involves catering to the needs of customers, make sure to highlight your customer service experience. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed customer expectations and delivered exceptional service in past positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wilson Vale
β¨Showcase Your Passion for Food
As a Head Chef, your love for food is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your culinary journey, favourite dishes to create, and how you incorporate seasonal ingredients into your menus. This will demonstrate your genuine passion and commitment to quality.
β¨Highlight Leadership Skills
Since you'll be overseeing kitchen operations and managing a team, it's important to showcase your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've successfully led a team, handled high-pressure situations, and trained staff in previous roles.
β¨Prepare for Menu Ideas
Expect questions about your creativity and innovation in menu planning. Come prepared with fresh and exciting menu ideas that align with the Wilson Vale ethos. This shows that you're proactive and ready to contribute from day one.
β¨Understand the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with Wilson Vale's values and culture. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding sustainability and community engagement. This will show that you're not just looking for a job, but a place where you can thrive and contribute.