Head Chef

Role Profile: Head chef

Location: Compton Verney Art Gallery & Park

Salary Rate: £34,000

Department: Commercial

Report to:Catering Operations Manager

Contract Type: Contract 40 hours

Travel/Base/Working Patterns: This position will require some weekend and evening working but majority daytime working (730-4pm/8-430pm).Rural location with very limited public transport

Closing Date: 3rd November 2024

Interviews: WC 4th November 2024

Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park Art, Nature and Creativity

Step out of the ordinary at Compton Verney with 120 acres of art, nature, and creativity. An extraordinary place filled with inspiration and imagination, outside and in - this is a place of endless possibilities. It is an award-winning gallery, based in a Grade I-listed Georgian mansion amidst 120 acres of Grade II-listed Lancelot 'Capability' Brown parkland in Warwickshire. With six permanent collections (Naples, Northern European Art 1450-1650, British Portraits, Chinese, British Folk Art & The Marx Lambert Collection) and a schedule of thought-provoking changing exhibitions and events both outdoors and in. It is an accredited museum, and a registered charity.

Role Objectives

As the Head chef, you will be responsible for running the day-to-day kitchen operations and leading your team from within the kitchen. Your key focus is to drive the business forward, bringing to life our exceptional standards and values. The catering team has a crucial role to play in Compton Verneys success through self-generated income, building new revenue streams that will sustain Compton Verney in the long-term.

Main Responsibilities

As Head chef, you will be responsible for all things food related, ensuring that every item that leaves your kitchen is of the highest quality.

• Ensure high standards of cleanliness are maintained in the kitchen operation.
• To strive and anticipate customer needs wherever possible, and to react to these to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Proactively managing the kitchen team and supporting the wider catering team
• Recruiting, training, supporting and people development
• Maintaining, ordering and controlling food stocks within budget
• Ensuring ongoing team communications through one to ones and on the job feedback
• Youll look for new ways to increase income and meet financial targets through managing stock and waste.
• Accountable for COSHH, Foot safety, H&S, Legal regulations, environmental policies and duty of customer and colleagues
• Develop delicious menus using local produce, adapting to the seasons including costings within the profit and loss budgets. This will include our events offer, developing menus for all types of events from corporate to weddings.
• Be a champion of sustainability, especially through menu development, utilising local ingredients and suppliers to reduce carbon footprint.
• Lead from the front, work within the kitchen to support the team.

General

• Work to the Compton Verney Values and Behaviours
• At times, the post holder may be required to undertake other duties as required
• Keep up to date with activity taking place on site

Essential

• Experience as head chef/kitchen lead
• Proven leadership ability, with positive and approachable manner
• Level 3 Food Hygiene certificate
• Experience in baking/patisserie
• Experience in menu planning including costing, allergens and calories
• Experience in working in a fast-paced environment
• Strong customer service focus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and good, active listener
• Self-motivated and proactive
• Ability to work regular weekends and evenings
• Use initiative and proactive approach to work

We value diversity in background, experience and learning style and welcome a broad range of people to help build the future of Compton Verney.

We are working on a long-term commitment to ensuring equity of opportunity at Compton Verney alongside being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We want to ensure all our employees thrive in every part of our organisation and believe that inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

What we offer

At Compton Verney we connect people with Art, Nature and Creativity. We are the leading visualarts destination in the heart of the country. We trigger positive change for artists, audiences and communities by encouraging play, inspiring debate and bringing people and ideas together

Were working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong and a warm, welcoming and respectful culture for staff, volunteers and visitors so its important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference:

• Pension scheme of up to 6% basic salary
• Staff Membership and Discount
• Charity workers discounts i.e. gym memberships, shopping discount codes, insurance discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 28 days relating to length of service
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Access to a wellbeing portal, App and Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• Free parking
• Eyecare Vouchers
• Life Assurance
• Signed up to More than a Moment Pledge
• Training and Development opportunities

How to apply

Please complete the application form along with your CV and a covering letter expressing why you are suitable for the role, referencing the job description and person specification.

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