At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a culinary team, create innovative menus, and ensure top-notch food experiences.
- Company: Join Holroyd Howe, a leading contract caterer for independent schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, discounts, free meals, and bespoke training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment focused on fresh ingredients and food education.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' dining experiences while developing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef with strong leadership and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
Company Description
Location: Milton Abbey School, Blandford Forum, DT11 0BZ
Contract Type: Full time, 52 weeks - permanent
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum
Why Join us?
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- 3 volunteering days to give back to causes you care about
- 3 days grandparent leave for those special family moments
- 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
- Bespoke training & development opportunities
- Pension & life insurance
- Discounts on high street brands, cinema & holidays via the Perkbox App
- Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
- Free meals while at work
- Career development through apprenticeships for all experience levels.
About the role:
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Head Chef to lead the culinary team at Milton Abbey School. You will be responsible for creating exceptional menus, managing kitchen operations, and delivering outstanding food experiences to our pupils, staff, and visitors.
You will be joining Holroyd Howe, one of the UK’s leading contract caterers, providing fresh innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges. We are a team of experienced professionals who tailor our catering service provision specifically to suit children of all ages in order to meet the bespoke requirements of each school.
The safety and wellbeing of the people we serve is at the heart of everything we do. A key element is effective allergen management; achieved through training, communication, and care, we create mealtimes where every pupil has a safe experience. Our mission is simple: to provide our teams with the right skills to succeed in their job and our exceptional teams of seasoned specialists customise our catering services to fit children of all ages and satisfy the unique needs of our clients.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead kitchen operations ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation
- Create innovative and seasonal menus tailored to the school’s requirements
- Manage kitchen staff recruitment, training, and development
- Control budgets, stock, and supplier relationships efficiently
- Ensure compliance with all food safety, health & safety, and safeguarding policies
- Collaborate with the wider catering and school teams to deliver outstanding customer experiences
- Accountability for following and championing allergen controls
Qualifications
Candidate Profile:
- Ideally, you will have experience as a Head Chef within a contract catering environment, preferably in independent education, or a high-profile business and industry setting.
- Strong leadership and team management skills
- Passionate about fresh, quality ingredients and innovative menus
- Excellent organisational, communication, and financial management skills
- Knowledge of current food trends, sustainability, and allergen control
Additional Information
We pride ourselves on:
- People first: We’re a company of individuals, united in doing our best for our clients.
- Great food, always: Using only the best ingredients, our food is fresh, authentic and tailored to each school, age group, and specific needs and preferences.
- Food education: We educate pupils through food, encouraging them to understand and develop their own personal tastes and make informed food choices.
- Respect in everything we do: Our respectful codes of conduct inform how we behave towards our clients and customers, suppliers and business partners, and each other.
- Fresh thinking: New ideas for food, service and ways of working help us maintain our position as creative leaders in school catering.
In order to be considered for this role you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK.
Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity. It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for such roles. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check will be required for all successful applicants. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information. This search helps identify any issues that may affect suitability to work with children. This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.
Chef Manager in Blandford Forum employer: WSH Group
At Holroyd Howe, we pride ourselves on being a people-first employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing and development of our team. As a Chef Manager at Milton Abbey School, you will enjoy competitive benefits including 28 days of holiday, bespoke training opportunities, and free meals while at work, all within a vibrant educational environment that fosters creativity and innovation in culinary arts. Join us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people through exceptional food experiences and career growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Blandford Forum
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, especially those who might know about openings at schools or catering companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren't even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even a video showcasing your cooking techniques. This can really set you apart from other candidates and give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s values and menu preferences. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission of providing exceptional food experiences. It’s all about making that connection!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that Chef Manager role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and are keen on being part of our mission to deliver great food for students.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Blandford Forum
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through! We want to see your enthusiasm for creating exceptional menus and delivering outstanding experiences.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in contract catering or education settings. We’re looking for strong leadership skills and a knack for innovative menu creation, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure you communicate your skills and experiences effectively without any fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at WSH Group
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the latest food trends and seasonal ingredients. Be ready to discuss how you can incorporate these into innovative menus tailored for the school environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen teams in the past. Highlight your approach to staff training and development, as well as how you handle recruitment and team dynamics.
✨Understand Allergen Management
Since allergen control is crucial, be prepared to discuss your experience with managing allergens in a kitchen setting. Share specific strategies you've implemented to ensure safety and compliance.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Be ready to talk about your experience with budget control and supplier relationships. Show how you can manage costs while maintaining high standards of food quality and presentation.
