At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a culinary team, create innovative menus, and ensure top-notch food quality.
- Company: Join Holroyd Howe, a leading contract caterer for independent schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, free meals, and discounts on brands through Perkbox.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' dining experiences in a vibrant school environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef with strong leadership and culinary skills required.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 52000 € per year.
Location: ASL - The American School in London, NW8 0NP
Contract Type: Permanent - 52 weeks
Salary: £52,000 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 a leading ASL - The American School in London. 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. One of the key things to consider with this role is that, as it is an American school, the academic calendar follows US term dates rather than the traditional UK school calendar. This means the school generally breaks up around mid-June and returns in late August. Christmas and other major holiday periods are still observed as normal.
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 an Executive Chef or 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.
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.
Head Chef in City of Westminster employer: WSH Group
At Holroyd Howe, we pride ourselves on being a people-first employer that values the well-being and development of our staff. As the Head Chef at The American School in London, you will enjoy a supportive work culture with 28 days of holiday, bespoke training opportunities, and a focus on career growth through apprenticeships. Our commitment to quality ingredients and innovative menus ensures that you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to creating exceptional dining experiences for our pupils and staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, attend industry events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Head Chef role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or a pop-up kitchen to showcase your culinary creations. This not only demonstrates your talent but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s values and current menu offerings. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with their mission of providing exceptional food experiences for pupils and staff.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in City of Westminster
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 food experiences.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in contract catering or independent education. We’re looking for someone who understands the unique needs of our clients, so don’t be shy about showcasing your skills!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure you communicate your qualifications and experiences effectively without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Holroyd Howe!
How to prepare for a job interview at WSH Group
✨Know Your Menus Inside Out
As a Head Chef, you'll need to showcase your creativity and knowledge of seasonal ingredients. Prepare by researching current food trends and think about how you can tailor menus to the specific needs of the school. Bring examples of innovative dishes you've created in the past.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership and team management skills. Be ready to discuss your experience in managing kitchen staff, including recruitment and training. Share specific examples of how you've developed your team and fostered a positive kitchen environment.
✨Understand Allergen Management
Allergen control is crucial in this position. Familiarise yourself with best practices for allergen management and be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these in previous roles. Highlight your commitment to creating safe dining experiences for all pupils.
✨Showcase Financial Acumen
You'll be responsible for controlling budgets and supplier relationships. Brush up on your financial management skills and be ready to talk about how you've successfully managed costs while maintaining high food quality. Consider bringing examples of how you've optimised kitchen operations financially.
