Head Chef

Overview

Contract: Full Time, Permanent. Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum. Hours: 40 per week. An independent day and boarding school for boys aged 11-18 and girls aged 16-18 located just outside Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Catering for 650 students and teachers. We offer a core feeding of breakfast, lunch, supper, snacks, sixth form café and a substantial hospitality programme throughout the year. Depending on the role, we offer a term-time plus contract between 45 - 52 weeks. This is a 7-day operation, so working pattern would be 5 out of 7. Additional benefits include free on-site parking, access to the gym during staff times, and access to the swimming pool during staff-only times in summer.

Opportunity

We currently have an excellent opportunity for a creative and effective Senior Sous Chef to join the team at one of our prestigious locations in Henley-on-Thames.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare all food service areas for the day's business relating to that meal service.
• Ensure the prompt service of all meals and service at all times to the company / clients standards.
• Ensure that the methods of preparation and presentation comply with company expectations.
• Prepare, set-up, serve, clear, clean and store away any food, beverage or equipment required for daily service.
• Prepare all food for sale/service, following good hygiene and safety practices and to the standard specified.
• Restock and replenish stocks and consumables as required during service periods, pre-empt customer needs and achieve optimum customer service delivery.
• Keep the Front of House informed of any food running out and pre-empt any delays in customer waiting.
• Complete all / any necessary cleaning/hygiene duties.
• Serve customers, visitors and guests in line with company and client service standards and expectations.
• Empty, remove and store rubbish / recycle rubbish in the correct place.
• To assist in the preparation and placing of orders.
• Ensure that the kitchen operates in line with current health & safety regulations.
• To ensure all areas in the kitchen are left in a clean state at the end of each shift.
• To attend meetings and training courses as required.
• Notify the head chef of stock movements to ensure all products are ordered for forthcoming menus.

General Responsibilities

• Ensure attendance to all staff meetings as required.
• Ensure that all policies and procedural requirements of both legislation and company are adhered to in order to promote a professional and flexible approach at all times.
• Ensure that the correct uniform is worn neatly and cleanly at all times.
• To ensure personal presentation is of the highest standard at all times.
• Ensure all necessary checks are carried out in the service and associated areas for food temperatures.
• Carry out all reasonable requests of the management.
• As required provide cover for other staff during periods of absence.
• Be conscientious with regard to Health & Safety and report any hazards to the Head Chef or Location manager.

Key Personal Skills and Attributes

• Team working abilities, listening skills, the ability to work on own initiative, impeccable personal presentation, hygiene and behaviour to others; food hygiene certificate preferred.
• The ability to be adaptable and flexible as necessary. Reliable, honest and able to demonstrate an open attentive approach to customer service.
• Willingness to learn new skills and take some responsibility.
• Ability to manage moderately heavy lifting, carrying, and pushing.
• Ability to demonstrate reasonable / good understanding and use of verbal English.
• Ability to demonstrate reasonable / good standard of written English and reading skills.
• Similar experience in a customer and/or food preparation environment is preferred.

Bonus and Benefits (selected)

• Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms, etc.).
• Free meals on duty.
• Volunteers leave - up to one day per year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Recommend a friend bonus.
• Unrivalled individual training and development.
• Well established apprenticeship programme.
• Team & company social events.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.

Disclaimer

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role. An enhanced DBS, Identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process. As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed. However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind-over must be declared.