Training and Development Chef

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Company or Car Allowance
• Monday to Friday - Days Only
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes.
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more.
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster.
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands.
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness, and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families.

Various Education Contracts in and around London

Chartwells is the leading caterer in state school education, feeding thousands of children and students daily.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our culinary team based in London, reporting to the Head of Food & Operations.

We are seeking an experienced chef with a positive "can-do" attitude who wants to be part of the Chartwells family. Gone are the days of pink custard and lumpy mash; this is your chance to contribute to something great by supporting our teams to cook and serve incredible, on-trend street food daily.

Join us in being a driving force behind making positive changes in food for our future generations!

At Chartwells, we believe that food is at the heart of learning. We pride ourselves on providing nutritious, delicious meals to students and fostering a love of food among young learners. We are currently seeking an energetic individual with a passion for food and education to join our team as a Training and Development Chef.

Position Overview:

As the Training and Development Chef, you will play a pivotal role in supporting our operational teams across several education contracts. You will be responsible for delivering training that emphasizes culinary skills, nutrition, and the use of top-quality, fresh ingredients. Your creativity and innovation will inspire our teams to deliver an exceptional dining experience while promoting a love for healthy eating.

Key Responsibilities:

• Overseeing the training and development of culinary teams across multiple sites.
• Provide on-site support and mentoring to kitchen teams, ensuring high standards of food preparation and presentation are achieved daily.
• Deliver training sessions aimed at enhancing the culinary skills of our kitchen teams, ensuring they cook and serve best in class food.
• Work closely with kitchen teams to ensure compliance with the school food standards & dietary guidelines are followed.
• Monitor and assess the culinary performance of teams, providing constructive feedback and guidance.
• Collaborate with the Head of food on the development of new food concepts tailored for the school environment to drive sales and engage customers through seasonal and nutritional balance menus.
• Collaborate with the broader culinary team on skill enhancement and culinary initiatives.
• Lead and support new business and client retention presentations.
• Lead, plan, and execute hospitality events that showcase our amazing culinary offer.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and development within the culinary teams.

Who you are:

The ideal candidate will be highly organized with strong relationship-building skills with key contacts such as customers, clients, and senior managers.

Personal attributes

• An imaginative approach to presentation to suit the audience which could be Children, Head Teachers, Governors, Parents, Consultants or Business Managers.
• Knowledge and understanding of The School Food Standards and best practices in nutritional guidelines.
• Ability to get the best out of our people through team leadership and coaching to achieve excellent results.
• Excellent communicator, both verbally and in writing, with the ability to engage audiences of varying sizes.
• Passion for nutrition and the ability to convey this knowledge to others.
• Proven track record in using processes and strategic planning to drive consistent and successful outcomes.
• Demonstrate a passion for quality food and exceptional service delivery.

Personal Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Self-motivated with strong planning and organizational skills.
• Financially astute with regards to food costings and margin management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for reporting and presentations.
• Creative mindset with a focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Previous experience in training or mentoring is an advantage.

Why This Role is Important

This position plays a critical role in enhancing the overall culinary experience within schools, not only ensuring that the food provided meets educational standards but also fostering a love for healthy eating among children. By focusing on training and skill development, the culinary lead helps to create an engaging and supportive environment for staff, which ultimately leads to improved food quality and service delivery.

The ideal candidate will blend culinary expertise with strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills to transform dining experiences in educational settings. This role is significant in promoting healthier food choices and enriching the culinary culture within schools.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young learners through food.
• A balance between work and life, with flexible hours.
• Room for career growth and professional development.
• Work in a dynamic and supportive environment.

If you're an innovative culinary professional ready to inspire others and share your passion for food and nutrition, we want to hear from you!

Apply Now!

Send your CV and a cover letter detailing your experience and passion for food to ..

Join us at Chartwells, where food and learning come together!

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all employees to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children's Barred List check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive because diversity is our strength!