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- Tasks: Create stunning restaurant-quality food and manage kitchen teams across various sites.
- Company: Wilson Vale is a quality-led contract caterer focused on fresh, seasonal produce.
- Benefits: Enjoy great work-life balance, free training, and your birthday off every year!
- Why this job: Join a supportive culture that values creativity, quality, and environmental responsibility.
- Qualifications: Experience in fresh food kitchens, strong leadership skills, and a positive attitude required.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and a commitment to inclusivity.
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 inOxford andMilton Keynes, with occasional travel into London and Cambridge. Your standard work week will be based around 40 hours.
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 looking for a better work-life balance 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
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 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
OUR CULTURE:
- 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.
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 – 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 at has a voice.
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Support Chef Manager employer: Wilson Vale
Contact Detail:
Wilson Vale Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Chef Manager
✨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 experience and passion with what they stand for during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your adaptability and experience in various kitchen environments. Since the role involves covering different sites, showcasing your ability to lead diverse teams and maintain high standards across locations will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss innovative food ideas and themed events you've implemented in previous roles. This will demonstrate your creativity and proactive approach, which are key qualities Wilson Vale values in their chefs.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Wilson Vale if possible. Gaining insights into their experiences can provide you with valuable information about the company culture and expectations, helping you tailor your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in fresh food kitchens, particularly any roles as a chef manager or head chef. Emphasise your leadership skills and ability to adapt to different kitchen environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for creating high-quality food and your commitment to seasonal produce. Mention how your values align with Wilson Vale's culture of craft, quality, and integrity.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, provide specific examples of your cooking skills and experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead kitchen teams and manage budgets. Highlight any innovative food ideas or themed events you have implemented in the past.
Research the Company: Familiarise yourself with Wilson Vale’s ethos and their commitment to fresh, seasonal ingredients. Understanding their culture will help you tailor your application and show that you are a good fit for their team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wilson Vale
✨Show Your Passion for Fresh Food
Make sure to express your love for creating fresh, seasonal dishes during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've used local ingredients in your previous roles to demonstrate your commitment to quality and sustainability.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
As a Support Chef Manager, you'll need to lead kitchen teams effectively. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've motivated teams in high-pressure environments, ensuring seamless service and quality.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
Since the role involves working at various sites, it's crucial to show that you're adaptable. Talk about your experiences in different kitchen settings and how you've successfully adjusted to new teams and environments.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle unexpected situations. Think of scenarios where you had to manage budgets, stock, or implement themed events, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
