Relief Chef Manager in Milton Keynes

For almost 20 years, we have created beautiful spaces, exciting menus and friendly teams, so that each and every customer can have the hospitality experience they deserve. We need the brightest and the best to join us to make this all possible. Our drive and belief in our people means that we always strive to supercharge our team’s careers. ‘Better’ is a daily habit that sits deep within our DNA, meaning learning will be front and centre of your experience working with us. Join us, and be part of the food revolution!

BaxterStorey Values:

• ALWAYS VISIONARY: We strive for better, we never settle, never compromise, never follow. We lead the way, blazing our own trail.
• WHOLEHEARTEDLY POSITIVE: We are up-beat, motivating and inspiring. Our love for what we do radiates through our food, and is amplified by our people.
• CREATIVELY COLLABORATIVE: We embrace our differences to push creativity and we work together to be better.
• FOREVER CONSCIOUS: We work together as a team to lead by example, protecting the planet and supporting local communities.

Interested? Even if you don’t meet all requirements, we like to hear from you. If you are motivated and hungry to learn, we can work together to develop your potential. BaxterStorey is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, and inclusion among our workforce. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Relief Chef Manager to provide flexible cover across our catering operations in Luton and the surrounding region. This is an excellent opportunity for a resilient and organised professional who thrives in dynamic environments and is committed to delivering exceptional food and service standards. You will support our site-based teams, ensuring operational excellence whilst maintaining our reputation for quality and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day catering operations and supervise kitchen teams to ensure smooth service delivery.
• Prepare and cook high-quality meals in accordance with established recipes, dietary requirements, and presentation standards.
• Plan and develop menus that are diverse, appealing, and aligned with organisational objectives.
• Maintain rigorous food safety, health, and hygiene standards in compliance with environmental legislation and procedures.
• Monitor and manage inventory levels, control food costs, and implement budget-conscious practices.
• Conduct staff induction, training, and development to foster a skilled and motivated team.
• Implement quality assurance measures and take decisive action to address any operational issues.
• Collaborate with colleagues and communicate effectively to ensure seamless handovers and continuity of service.
• Exceed customer expectations consistently by delivering excellent food and service.
• Analyse performance data and implement action plans to drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain detailed records and documentation as required by organisational policies.
• Demonstrate flexibility and resilience when adapting to different site requirements and team dynamics.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Proven culinary expertise with strong food preparation and cooking skills.
• Demonstrated experience in team supervision and kitchen management.
• Sound knowledge of food safety regulations and environmental legislation compliance.
• Experience with inventory management, budget monitoring, and cost control.
• Strong organisational and time-keeping abilities.
• Excellent people skills and the ability to work collaboratively.
• Problem-solving capabilities and decisive decision-making.
• Flexibility and resilience to adapt to varying operational demands.
• Customer-focused mindset with commitment to service excellence.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience in catering or hospitality operations.
• Background in menu planning and development.
• Experience providing relief or cover support across multiple sites.
• Knowledge of dietary requirements and specialist cooking techniques.

Education and Certifications:

• Food Safety Level 3 certification (or equivalent recognised qualification).
• Culinary qualification or relevant professional training (desirable).

Additional Information:

• Location: Milton Keynes.
• An innovative Relief Chef Manager is required to run this contract across the Luton / Milton Keynes area!
• Mainly Monday to Friday working hours! No early mornings, possible weekend and night shift cover.
• 28 Days holiday including bank holidays plus your birthday off.
• 24 week’s enhanced maternity leave.
• Secondary carer leave.
• Wedding/commitment day leave.
• Free meals on shift.
• Bespoke training and development opportunities.
• Apprenticeships opportunities for all experience levels.
• Pension and life insurance.
• Discounts available on our Perkbox app; high street shops, holidays & cinema.
• Access to employee assistance programme.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Are you a culinary connoisseur / gastronomic genius? Do you have an insatiable passion for the culinary arts and a burning desire to create masterful dishes that delight the senses? Yes? Then this is the role for you. At BaxterStorey we offer an exceptional culinary playground where your creativity can flourish and your talents shine. We wholeheartedly believe that the best food comes from nurturing talent and empowering our chefs to continuously evolve and refine their craft, that’s why we invest in you to develop your professional growth. As a member of our team, you will be supported in an inclusive environment that encourages growth and celebrates diversity. We will invest in your development with ongoing training, to ensure that you have the skills and knowledge to thrive in your role, and we guarantee a good work-life balance, because we believe that people excel when they are given the space to take care of themselves.