Job Description

About Kentwell Hall

Kentwell Hall is a beautiful historic house in Long Melford with stunning gardens, extensive Park & farm animals. As well as regular house opening, Kentwell is renowned for its special large-scale events including costumed historical recreations and the award-winning Scaresville in the autumn.

Kentwell is a family-directed venture with a tightly knit staff team and has varied catering across all operations. These include Tea Room, Alehouse, catering van, providing food for up to 200 volunteers for evening, weekend & week-long events.

There is also a need for occasional functions catering, including some weddings.

Summary

This is a hands-on position suitable for someone who knows the local area rather than just lives in it; someone excellent organisation leadership and communication skills. looking to take charge and make it their own.

Based at the Hall, you will manage all catering operations to a high standard, from home-made food in visitors in our Tea Room, through supper for 200 volunteers to a large wedding party.

In addition, Kentwell has a medieval Bakehouse and the oldest Brewhouse in England which we would like to use commercially and this would fall within your scope.

We need someone who knows the local area rather than someone who just lives in it.

This is a challenging and ever varying job in an unrivalled location, with the opportunity to contribute to saving this magnificent House.

Job description

Main Duties include:

Manage all catering operations at Kentwell Hall

Ensure standards of service are maintained to the highest level

Ensure high standards of quality control, handling and storage with due regard to current legislation

To devise & use an in-house ordering and stock system

Responsible for the overall hygiene, health and safety relating to the catering operations at Kentwell

Ensure high levels of health & safety and hygiene are always maintained in all kitchen, ancillary and serving areas, carrying out regular inspections and implementing corrective action as required, communicating any maintenance issues to relevant parties.

Responsible for the recruitment, direction, supervision, motivation, training and discipline of all catering staff

Create & manage staffing rotas ensuring that the operation is always sufficiently, but not overly, staffed to achieve maximum return

Ensure staff time sheets are completed accurately and submitted on the correct day

Devise and implement suitable dress codes for all catering activities dress codes.

Work closely with the Events manager to ensure event-appropriate staffing

Build close working relationships all KH staff, effectively communicating with at all levels, holding regular meetings & promoting a culture of success and inclusion

To communicate effectively with clients & external partners, verbally face to face and in writing

Plan & cost all menus, ensuring excellent margins

Accurate & timely financial reporting for all catering operations, calculating GPs, setting prices, monitoring and agreeing targets

Liaise with external clients from initial enquiry to final wash-up, confirming details, managing preparation & running of event, communicating changes/orders needed, updating function sheets to ensure high quality service is delivered

Ensure function rooms are set up in accordance with function sheets

Helping to develop for profitable use the Alehouse, Bakehouse & Brewhouse

Undertake any reasonable duties as dictated by Managing Director that are within skills and capabilities.

Person Spec

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate.

Experience in a similar role in the catering industry

Knowledge of current trends, including bars/retail and conferencing

Experience of motivating, managing and disciplining staff

Experience of menu planning & costing

Strong commercial acumen, with experience of financial reporting and budget management

Ability to work to deadlines and targets

Good communication skills both written and verbally.

High standard of personal appearance and hygiene.

Personal alcohol licence

Health and safety in the workplace certificate

Working knowledge of Apple Mac computers, or confidence to learn

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 30,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 24 - 37 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount Free parking On-site parking
Work Location: In person