At a Glance
- Tasks: Create stunning, seasonal dishes and lead kitchen teams across various sites.
- Company: Join Wilson Vale, a quality-led contract caterer with a family-oriented culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy work-life balance, competitive pay, and tailored career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with your culinary skills in a fun and inspiring environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in fresh food kitchens, strong leadership, and adaptability to different teams.
- Other info: Embrace creativity and sustainability while working with local ingredients.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
We are recruiting a passionate, friendly, and experienced Support Chef Manager to work as part of our Support Team for our sites based in the North of the UK with occasional travel to sites in the Midlands. Your standard work week will be based around 40 hours, this may include evenings and occasionally weekends to cover site events.
Do you love creating stunning restaurant-quality food and want a role with variety, stability, and a work-life balance you won’t find in hotels or restaurants? 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 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!
The ideal candidate will have worked in a fresh food environment, ideally as a chef manager or head chef, and will enjoy the variety of working at different sites. Hotel or restaurant chefs often thrive in this role.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES- Cover for chefs and chef managers across various sites, ensuring seamless service and quality
- Prepare and serve imaginative, fresh, seasonal food to exceed expectations
- Lead and motivate kitchen teams with a “nothing is too much trouble” attitude
- Maintain high standards of presentation, service, and food safety
- Manage budgets, stock, ordering, and menu planning
- Build excellent relationships with clients, customers, and on-site teams
- Implement themed events, promotions, and innovative food ideas during cover periods
- Ensure all due diligence, hygiene, and health & safety records are maintained to the highest standard
- Proven experience in fresh food kitchens, ideally as a chef manager or head chef
- Strong cooking skills with the ability to adapt to different kitchens and teams
- Flexible and willing to travel to a variety of sites
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Proactive, organised, and calm under pressure
- Positive attitude and a commitment to delivering consistent quality
- Knowledge of food trends, service styles, and premium hospitality standards
- 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'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 – 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 years’ service.
- Fuel, Accommodation, and food expenses policy
- 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.
North Support Chef Manager in Leeds employer: Wilson Vale
Contact Detail:
Wilson Vale Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land North Support Chef Manager in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, especially those who know Wilson Vale. 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, whip up a dish and share it on social media or with your network. It’s a great way to showcase your creativity and passion for fresh, seasonal food.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Wilson Vale’s culture and values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their commitment to quality and craft. We love candidates who resonate with our ethos!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest job openings there, so keep checking back!
We think you need these skills to ace North Support Chef Manager in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for creating stunning, fresh food shine through. Share specific examples of dishes you've crafted or events you've catered to show us how you embody our commitment to quality and creativity.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your experience in fresh food kitchens, especially if you've worked as a chef manager or head chef. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on those relevant skills and achievements!
Emphasise Teamwork and Leadership: Since this role involves leading kitchen teams, it’s important to showcase your leadership skills. Talk about how you've motivated teams in the past and how you maintain a positive atmosphere in the kitchen – we love a 'nothing is too much trouble' attitude!
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 ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Wilson Vale!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wilson Vale
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with seasonal produce and local suppliers. Be ready to discuss how you can incorporate fresh, quality ingredients into your menus. This shows your passion for food and aligns with the company's ethos.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led kitchen teams in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate others and maintain high standards under pressure. This is crucial for a Support Chef Manager role where teamwork is key.
✨Be Ready for Variety
Since the role involves working at different sites, demonstrate your adaptability. Share experiences where you've successfully adjusted to new environments or challenges, showcasing your flexibility and proactive attitude.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Quality
Discuss your approach to maintaining food safety and presentation standards. Be prepared to talk about how you ensure consistent quality in your cooking, as this is a core value for the company.