At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations, create innovative menus, and manage a passionate team.
- Company: Join Holroyd Howe, a top contract caterer for independent schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, free meals, and discounts on brands you love.
- Other info: Be part of a people-first company that values fresh thinking and food education.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' food experiences while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef with strong leadership and creativity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 36000 € per year.
Company Description
Location: Guildford area, Surrey
Contract Type: 42 working weeks
Salary: £36,000 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 & HIT Apprenticeships for all experience levels
About the role:
As our Head Chef 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.
Our mission is simple: To provide our teams with the right skills to succeed in their jobs, we invest in their training and development. 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
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.
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.
Head Chef in Guildford employer: WSH Group
Holroyd Howe is an exceptional employer located in the Guildford area, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and development. With generous benefits including 28 days of holiday, enhanced maternity leave, and bespoke training opportunities, we empower our Head Chef to create innovative menus while fostering a collaborative environment. Join us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people through quality food education and exceptional culinary experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Guildford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, especially those who might know someone at Holroyd Howe. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, organise a tasting session or a demo of your menu ideas. This is a great way to showcase your creativity and passion for food directly to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for interviews by researching the latest food trends and sustainability practices. Bring fresh ideas to the table that align with Holroyd Howe's mission of providing exceptional food experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for fresh ingredients and innovative menus shine through. We want to see how your culinary creativity can elevate our food offerings!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef, especially in contract catering or education settings. We’re looking for someone who understands the unique needs of our clients.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and achievements, so we can easily see how you fit into our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey with us.
How to prepare for a job interview at WSH Group
✨Know Your Menus
Before the interview, take some time to research and create a few innovative menu ideas that align with the company's focus on fresh, quality ingredients. This shows your passion for food and your ability to tailor menus to specific needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing kitchen staff and how you've developed their skills in previous roles. Highlight specific examples where your leadership made a positive impact on the team and the overall kitchen operations.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on current food safety, health & safety, and allergen control policies. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen and how you educate your team about these important regulations.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with school teams, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others to enhance customer experiences. This could be through special events or adapting menus based on feedback from staff and students.
