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- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen, crafting delicious meals from fresh, seasonal ingredients.
- Company: Join Wilson Vale, a quality-led contract caterer with a passion for great food.
- Benefits: Enjoy work-life balance, competitive pay, and tailored training opportunities.
- Why this job: Showcase your culinary creativity in a supportive, fun environment.
- Qualifications: Must love food, have strong communication skills, and thrive under pressure.
- Other info: Flexible hours, exciting food themes, and a commitment to sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
We are excited to offer an opportunity for a Chef Manager to lead one of our workplace restaurants in Surrey, conveniently located just a short walk from Leatherhead train station. Onsite parking is also available. This is a fantastic role for a talented and creative chef looking to showcase their skills in a fresh, forward-thinking environment.
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!
This is a full-time position, working 40 hours per week. Core hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm, with some flexibility required to support hospitality events, which may occasionally take place in the evenings or at weekends. The kitchen serves approximately 90 customers daily, alongside additional hospitality requirements.
Responsibilities- As Chef Manager, you will have full autonomy over menu development, with a strong focus on using local, seasonal ingredients to create delicious food made from scratch.
- The daily offer includes hot and cold breakfast and lunch options such as a deli and salad bar, cake bar, world cuisines, and on-trend dishes.
- The site hosts theme days and tasting sessions throughout the year, designed to engage customers and deliver an exciting dining experience.
- You will lead a small team of two General Assistants and two Kitchen Porters, taking responsibility for their development and fostering a positive, supportive working environment through strong and confident leadership.
- As customer interaction is a key part of service, you will be approachable, personable, and comfortable building relationships with customers.
- Be responsible for the daily operation of the kitchen and the preparation and cooking of all food production.
- 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.
- LOVE food, 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.
- Craft at our core - we pride ourselves on our craft-skilled chefs who create wonderful fresh food from scratch.
- It's all about the food - the menu is the most important document our chefs write every week.
- Quality, seasonal ingredients - 300+ British suppliers and our chefs can source locally.
- Freedom to create - our teams love to cook up exciting food themes and pop-ups to keep the food fun.
- Support like no other - 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.
- Our working hours are some of the best you will 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 - 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 year's 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 - everyone has a voice.
Chef Manager in Leatherhead employer: Wilson Vale
Contact Detail:
Wilson Vale Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Leatherhead
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out Wilson Vale's values and ethos. This will help you connect with them during your chat and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this role is all about creativity and quality, be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you use seasonal ingredients. Maybe even whip up a dish to showcase your style if they ask!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so think of examples where you've successfully managed or trained others. Highlighting your ability to foster a positive environment will definitely impress them.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you note. It’s a nice touch that shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Leatherhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your culinary experiences and what excites you about creating delicious dishes. We want to see your creativity and passion for using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the role of Chef Manager. Highlight your leadership skills and experience in managing a team, as well as your ability to engage with customers. We appreciate when candidates take the time to align their skills with our values.
Be Personable and Approachable: Since customer interaction is key, use a friendly tone in your application. Show us that you’re not just a great chef but also someone who can build relationships with customers. We value a positive attitude and strong communication skills!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Wilson Vale!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wilson Vale
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with local and seasonal ingredients that you can incorporate into your menu. Be ready to discuss how you would use these in innovative ways to create exciting dishes that reflect the ethos of Wilson Vale.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your experience leading a team. Highlight specific examples where you've fostered a positive working environment and developed your team members' skills. This will show that you align with their commitment to strong leadership.
✨Engage with Customer Service
Since customer interaction is key, think of ways you've built relationships with customers in the past. Share anecdotes that demonstrate your approachability and ability to cater to diverse customer needs, which is crucial for this role.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions about food safety, hygiene, and budgeting. Brush up on relevant regulations and be prepared to discuss how you ensure high standards in these areas. This will show your dedication to maintaining Wilson Vale's quality standards.
