Head Chef

Pgl Travel; Ashford; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Birthday off

Paid volunteering days

Option to purchase additional holiday

Career development & mentoring

Wellbeing Hub access

Contributory pension

Financial wellbeing platform

Family breaks & retailer discounts

Job summary

PGL Travel is looking for a Head Chef to lead our catering team, organising rotas, setting clear objectives and ensuring high standards of food hygiene and allergy management. You will manage a team of Chefs & Catering Assistants, focusing on safe, mass-produced meals and ensuring cost-effective production.

You will report to the Catering Manager, drive training, and oversee stock, waste, and financial aspects while maintaining our core values of FUN, SAFETY, QUALITY, INCLUSIVITY, TEAMWORK and

Qualifications

• Has experience in mass catering production
• Confident leader with strong organisational skills
• Excellent knowledge of food hygiene and managing complex dietary requirements

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Chefs & Catering Assistants; organise rotas and set objectives
• Identify training needs and ensure safe food handling procedures
• Oversee food safety, allergy management and dietary compliance
• Handle production planning, waste and stock management
• Contribute to financial aspects of catering operations

Skills

Leadership

Organisation

Decision making

Food hygiene

Allergen management

Education

City & Guilds 7061/2 (or equivalent)

Level 3+ in Food Safety & Allergen Management

Job description

What could be more important than fuelling the next generation for adventure? Our catering team are proud to serve tasty & nutritious meals, combining reassuring favourites and new cuisines to keep the adventure going. Our centralised team provides all the recipes, enabling you and your team to focus on executing our proven menus; delivering delicious as well as safe food by ensuring all health and safety, allergen safety & food safety standards are followed. You will work limited late finishes, with a Friday or Saturday evening off most weeks (especially outside of our peak season) and no working over Christmas - this could be the perfect role to progress your career in catering without sacrificing that all important social and family time! As Head Chef, you'll be reporting to the Catering Manager, and responsible for managing a team of Chefs & Catering Assistants; organising rotas, setting clear objectives and identifying any training needs. You will also ensure your team is following procedures to maintain exemplary levels of food hygiene, and confidently managing complex dietary requirements. Alongside managing financial aspects of the catering operation, production planning, waste and stock management.

• Has experience and understanding of food mass production
• A confident leader of people with strong organisational and decision-making skills
• Excellent knowledge of food hygiene & handling complex dietary requirements including allergies and intolerances
• You will hold your City & Guilds 7061/2 (or equivalent) and Level 3 or above in Food Safety and Allergen Management

Above all, it's our core values of FUN, SAFETY, QUALITY, INCLUSIVITY, TEAMWORK and RESPECT that unite us.

PGL is shaping the next generation through extraordinary residential adventures. Our award-winning programmes help children discover the fun of being outdoors, promote wellbeing, develop character, and build real-world skills for life. Will you join the adventure? We're part of something bigger We're proud to be part of PGL Beyond, a network of educational travel brands which empowers young people to explore, grow and thrive - through exceptional experiences that go beyond the classroom. Together, we're making a difference.

• On top of your 25 days annual leave (+ 8 bank holidays), you'll also enjoy your birthday off, have paid volunteering days to help worthwhile causes and the option to purchase additional holiday.
• A career with ongoing growth, aided development, mentoring, multiple pathways and opportunities to work across different UK or French locations.
• 24/7 access to our Wellbeing Hub alongside our Employee Assistance Program
• Sector leading family friendly policies and a contributory pension
• Access to our financial wellbeing platform where you can borrow or save directly from your salary.
• Free/discounted PGL breaks for your family & discounts at 800+ retailers.