Group Chef, Chesterfield

Adecco; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A contract catering service is seeking an experienced Group Chef to maintain high food standards and inspire a culinary team. Located in Chesterfield and NE Derbyshire, this role involves overseeing food production and contributing to menu planning. The right candidate will enjoy a competitive salary, term time only, and a chance to make a significant impact on students' well-being in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

All fuel expenses covered

Healthy work-life balance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a chef or catering management role, particularly in large operations.
• Strong background in large-scale food production and staff training.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with food hygiene and health & safety regulations.
• Deliver engaging food assemblies and workshops in schools.
• Oversee and assess production methods for efficiency.

Skills

Food Standards

Best practices

Food Production Management

Menu Planning

Purchasing Control

Marketing Support

Catering Innovation

Education

Food production or chef qualification (e.g., 706/1)

GCSE in English and Maths or equivalent

Tools

IT (Word and Excel)

Job description

Package Description

Job Title: Group Chef

Salary: £30,000 pa

Location: Chesterfield and NE Derbyshire (several sites)

Contract Type: Permanent, Term Time only

Weekly Hours: 40

Start Date: ASAP

Are you a culinary maestro with a passion for inspiring others? Our client is seeking a dynamic Group Chef to join their vibrant team! If you thrive in a creative environment and love to enhance catering provisions, this is the opportunity for you!

At Mellors, you will be part of an award‑winning family business established in 1840, who strive to offer a bespoke service that is unrivalled, making them the first choice contract caterer for staff restaurants, schools and colleges in the north. Using only the finest and freshest ingredients from local suppliers, they are committed to delivering an exciting choice of food that doesn’t cost the earth, whilst ensuring sustainability is at the heart of everything they do.

Mellors Mission: Top quality service and food create happy and successful people

Key Requirements

• Food Standards: Ensure compliance with ingredients, preparation techniques, portions, cooking methods, and presentation.
• Best practices: Share and implement food innovation ideas across multiple sites.
• Food Production Management: Oversee and assess production methods for efficiency.
• Menu Planning: Create menus that cater to nutritional needs and customer preferences.
• Purchasing Control: Work closely with nominated suppliers for optimal ingredient sourcing.
• Marketing Support: Contribute to marketing strategies for our culinary offerings.
• Catering Innovation: Motivate staff and drive creativity within the team.

Additional Duties

• Deliver engaging food assemblies and workshops in schools, promoting the ’Mellors’ brand.
• Collaborate with the food development team to create and showcase new food concepts.
• Conduct taster sessions for key contracts to highlight our delicious offerings.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene and health & safety regulations.
• Design company competitions to inspire excellence within teams.

Qualifications

• Food production or chef qualification (e.g., 706/1).
• Craft Trainer Award (CTA) desirable.
• GCSE in English and Maths or equivalent.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Experience

• Proven experience in a chef or catering management role, particularly within large or multi‑site operations.
• Strong background in large‑scale food production and staff training.
• Proficient in IT (Word and Excel) and presentation skills for engaging groups of all ages.

Desirable Skills

• A true passion for training and empowering staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Effective time management and organisational skills.
• A keen interest in food with diverse knowledge from various catering sectors.
• Ability to create a welcoming environment and uphold high standards of excellence.
• Flexibility is key! This role may involve early starts and occasional overnight stays, so a flexible approach is essential.

Benefits and Perks

In return for your hard work and dedication, our client offers a competitive salary, all fuel expenses covered, along with the opportunity to make a significant impact on the overall well‑being of students. By nourishing their bodies and minds, you will contribute to their success both inside and outside the classroom. With term time only, you will enjoy a much healthier work‑life balance, whilst working in a supportive and inclusive environment that values your skills and expertise.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

The Next Step

Please click apply and submit an up‑to‑date CV. Mellors is committed to being an inclusive employer. You can expect to receive an update on your application within two working days. Thank you for your interest and look forward to hearing from you.

Adecco is a disability‑confident employer. It is important to us that we run an inclusive and accessible recruitment process to support candidates of all backgrounds and all abilities to apply. Adecco is committed to building a supportive environment for you to explore the next steps in your career. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.