Job Introduction
Chef Manager
Location: Henry Food Academy, Daventry
Salary: Up to £32,500 per annum (DOE)
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday
We’re looking for a Chef Manager who can do more than cook to join our Eurest team at Henry Food Academy in Daventry. This is a role for a hands-on leader who’s as confident at the stove as they are in a client meeting, someone who understands how to run a business, manage a team, and deliver a world-class guest experience.
The Henry Ford Academy is not just a training centre; it is a prestigious, state-of-the-art flagship venue. As Chef Manager, you will lead the culinary journey for delegates, executives and global partners. Delivering high-quality catering for an on-site restaurant of up to 200 covers, you will sit at the heart of an operation where good is never enough, we strive for exceptional, you’ll oversee every aspect of the catering operation, from menu planning and team leadership to client relationships, budgets, compliance, and service delivery. You’ll cook with passion, lead with purpose, and run the outlet like it’s your own.
What You’ll Be Doing:
We believe the guest experience is fuelled by the food we serve. Whether it is a high-energy lunch for a technical training group or a sophisticated menu for a global product launch, your role is to ensure every meal enhances the prestige of the Ford brand.
- Take full ownership of the culinary offer, ensuring that every delegate feels like a VIP, from their morning coffee to their final event meal.
- Oversee the full catering operation from food to finance to front of house.
- Bring fresh, modern ideas to the table, creating menus that reflect the state-of-the-art nature of the academy.
- Work in a close, established partnership with Clients to ensure their food service aligns perfectly with their corporate goals, training, and event schedules.
- Lead, develop and motivate your team to deliver excellent service every day.
- Managing food costs, margins, waste and labour with commercial precision.
- Build strong relationships with our clients and guests. Understanding their needs, exceeding expectations and delivering service with an impact.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety and company standards at all times.
- Drive consistency and quality across the kitchen and wider catering operation.
What you’ll bring to the table:
We are looking for a passionate, customer-driven Chef Manager who thrives in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment.
- Proven experience Chef Manager or Catering Manager with strong operational and culinary experience.
- A passion for fresh food, seasonal ingredients, and high-quality service delivery.
- Great communication and leadership skills, you inspire others with your energy.
- A strong sense of ownership and ability to manage client relationships.
- Strong financial acumen. You understand P&L, cost control, and business KPIs.
- Excellent communication and people management skills. You build trust, lead by example, and bring out the best in your team.
Hungry for more?
We also offer exciting culinary pathways for team members who want to level up. With real-time mentoring, hands-on experience, and the chance to earn recognised qualifications, it’s a delicious way to grow your skills while doing what you love.
If you are ready to lead a kitchen that mirrors the innovation and excellence of the Ford brand, we want to hear from you.
About Us
We connect workplaces to mindful, flavourful & planet-positive catering
At Eurest, we are the experts in workplace catering, operating in over 700 workspaces every day. We know that fueling employees throughout the day can help to sharpen their thinking, nourish their bodies and minds and ultimately, motivate them to perform at their best. Our workplace food experiences are driven by our promise to live more sustainably and responsibly, working towards our goal of net zero by 2030.
We're people-powered at Eurest