BaxterStorey
Chef Manager
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Chef Manager
Chef Manager
Location: Aykley Heads, Durham
Salary: £33,280 per annum
Hours: 40 per week (Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, with a 30-minute unpaid break) Late Thursday closure: 8:00 pm
About the Role
We are seeking an innovative and passionate Chef Manager to lead a small, dedicated team of four at The Light Café—a vibrant new visitor attraction in Durham that celebrates art, science, history, creativity, and community.
This is an exciting opportunity for a creative Chef to deliver exceptional breakfast and lunch menus using local ingredients in a professional kitchen environment.
As part of BaxterStorey, we’re committed to nurturing talent and empowering chefs to innovate. Your role will involve balancing creativity with operational excellence, while leading a siguientes well-rounded team in an inclusive, forward-thinking environment.
Key Responsibilities
Food Operations & Leadership
- Develop and execute daily menus that align with business style and customer preferences
- Oversee food preparation, presentation, and quality, ensuring стандарты culinary excellence
- Monitor waste and portion control to maintain efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Work closely with the Head Chef to uphold health & safety regulations, food safety protocols, and best practices
- Maintain financial accountability—budgeting, cost control, and identifying savings without compromising quality
Team Management & Culture
- Hire, train, and supervise kitchen staff (chefs, cooks) and front-of-house teams
- Provide coaching, performance feedback, and career development opportunities
- Foster a collaborative and constructive workplace environment with BaxterStorey core values embedded
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Customer Engagement & Adaptability
- Engage with customers to understand dietary needs and gather feedback for menu improvements
- Remain up-to-date with culinary trends and proactively innovate service offerings
- Maintain rigorous inventory and documentation standards, ensuring compliance with regulations
Essential Requirements
- Proven experience as a Chef Manager / Head Chef
- Background in contract catering (preferred)
- Creative culinary expertise with strong practical skills
- Proven leadership ability in managing kitchens
- Excellent meeting time, food cost awareness
- Knowledge of health & safety, food hygiene, and compliance requirements
- Ability to thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment
Non-Essential but Valued
- Recent corporate experience (ysechnology, retail, or hospitality corporate work)
- Understanding of sustainability and local sourcing
Why Join Us?
Exceptional Benefits
- 28 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + birthday day off
- 3 volunteering days
- 3 grandparent days
- 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
- Secondary carer leave & wedding commitment day leave
- Free meals when on shift
- Access to bespoke training & apprenticeships across all experience levels
- Tax-advantaged pension & life insurance policies
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Discounts through the HAPI rewards app (holidays, cinema, high-street retail)
- Wellbeing hub support services
- Career development aligned with our better-than-expected philosophy
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Our Vision
We empower chefs to evolve, innovate, and lead. Your creativity will be celebrated while being driven by our shared values of vision, collaboration, positivity, and mindfulness for sustainability.
Our Values & Commitment
BaxterStorey Core Values
- Always Visionary – Embraced experimentation to drive industry change.
- Wholeheartedly Positive – Energy and enthusiasm shape our environment.
- Creatively Collaborative– Thrive through diverse perspectives.
- Forever Conscious – Reflect the broader world in our decisions.
Our People Promise
We are an inclusive employer pioneering equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I). If you identify as an aspirant with desire to learn, let’s unlock your full potential together.
No prerequisites are absolute—if this role excites you, we’d love to meet you.
Why BaxterStorey?
“Better” isn’t a goal—it’s our daily habit. For 20 years, we’ve built meaningful relationships between people and spaces. Let’s set a hospitality legacy—join a team that prizes growth, authenticity, and making experiences exceptional.
"We want you to leave daily inspired, then go home proud of what you contributed."
Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Together, let’s redefine standards.
£33,280/annum | Durham (Aykley Heads) | On-site chefs’ kitchen
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