Great food in the workplace isn't simply about fuel.
It's about increasing productivity and improving performance; it's about happy motivated people and inspiring environments. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do - we live to bring food and people together. 

We are brave, bold and curious adventurers in food and drink. Never shy of being different, always challenging the conventional. 

Our passionate team of chefs, baristas, servers, nutritionists and much more, love nothing more than creating memorable moments that enrich the everyday. Come and join our award winning teams - we are currently recruiting for a Head Chef to join our team at Oxford Brookes University.

Location: Oxford Brookes University, Headington Rd, Oxford OX3 0BP

Working Pattern: Predominantly Monday-Friday, 7:30am - 16:00pm but weekends and evening work required when needed, Christmas through to New Years off

Rate of Pay: £45,000 per annum

Key Responsibilities:

Food Production 

• To fully understand and interpret the Gather & Gather brand in terms of food and food service

• To develop and plan menus that are in line with client and customer expectations at the relevant

Gather & Gather site

• To prepare and oversee all preparation of food to the highest standard and in line with the Gather & Gather style

• To ensure food is seasonal, of known provenance and where possible sourced locally

• To produce food in a timely fashion to ensure smooth service to the customers

• To ensure that all appropriate ingredients are available for the menus being prepared and where necessary identify shortages and instigate action to source ingredients and producing new service styles and food concepts

• Raise all supplier quality issues with the Procurement Department at Gather & Gather

• To communicate with the relevant parties' requirements for planned menus and order necessary ingredients

• To coordinate stock ordering and stocktaking for the entire operation

Kitchen Finance

• Plan menus and prepare food in order to minimise wastage

• Control costs through efficient purchasing and use of existing stock whilst ensuring that standards and style is maintained.

• Responsible for ensuring weekly and monthly stock takes

• To administer unit controls and keep records using the appropriate systems

Managing / Developing a Team

• Depending on site structure either overall responsibility for managing the kitchen team ensuring that they are all are aware of Gather & Gather standards and carry out their jobs in line with those standards or in partnership with the Exec Chef

• Responsible for leading the kitchen team in producing high quality seasonal food in a timely fashion.

• Conduct daily briefings before service ensuring all Chefs understand the day's menus and are aware of their responsibilities for the day

• Provide feedback and coaching on performance

• To provide any necessary on-job training whereby increasing the team's understanding and knowledge of produce.

• To carry out performance appraisals as and when directed by the company.

• To manage poor performance in line with the Gather & Gather process, where relevant reporting performance issues and actions to Exec Chef / site General Manager

• To induct new staff into their position.

• To monitor the attendance of the kitchen brigade

What's in it for you? 

Working with Gather and Gather has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we've developed a range of benefits to keep you happy. 

• Personal Development and Training opportunities 
• Life assurance scheme 
• Pension scheme 
• Holiday allowance 
• Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
• Eye care 
• A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance 
• Family friendly support 
• Regular social events and communication with our leaders 
• A holiday purchase scheme 
• Volunteering days 
• Professional subscriptions 
• Recognition schemes and people awards 
• Long service awards 
• Access to some great high street discount vouchers