Head Chef Review

I'm the head Chef of Duffield Bank House. A nine bedroom house with conference room, working lunches, breakfast large dining and formal dining offerings for the Rolls Royce client. My role is to create bespoke menus for the client. We tailor the offering to whom they are entertaining for on any said occasion. We provide food provisions for all occasions including but not specific to breakfast, buffets, tasting menus, buffets and BBQs.

I have learnt lots of new skills whilst on my apprenticeship that are applicable and relevant to my day to day job. Weather that by management, logistical and interpersonal skills that have helped me develop as a leader at work. Or my practical skills such as foraging, fermenting and preserving methods that I can use to apply within the kitchen setting.

Very much so. The program is structured in such a way that we are equally challenged and motivated. The fact that we go through the program with our peers with slightly different rolls and backgrounds to one another also means we are able to experience the program with a more rounded understanding.

The program is very well organised and structed in various ways. I have noticed that each part of the program, weather that be online interactive workshops, seminars or practical away days they all provide different and engaging teaching methods with the support of extensive learning materials. Meaning that no matter the style of the learner we can all achieve success within the programme.

My employer has been extremely supportive and understanding about me being on the program. As I write this review now its in time my employer has found for me to take away from my day to day job of running my site. I haven't once felt like completing the program alongside my job is a problem.

I receive a good amount of support, encouragement and understanding from from my tutor I was assigned from my training provider. They seem to really understand that it can sometimes be tricky to prioritize both my job and my apprenticeship program. The amount of flexibility they have given me around things like rearranging meetings and deadlines has been appreciated.

The qualification I am training for personally has had a huge positive impact on my performance within my day to day roll. I believe it has given me more confidence to carry out practical and management tasks. It has sharpened skills I already have. The main benefit I feel it has given me is the time to step away from my day to day roll has allowed me to reenergize and refocus myself, this has had a positive impact on my performance for sure.

In my day to day work. There aren't many signs of extra curricular activities. There might be but my site is relatively isolated within the contract. Also our team is very small. And we were only TUPE transferred over to Compass Group less than eighteen months ago, so there may well be more opportunities than I a aware of

Yes

Since being TUPE transferred over to Compass Group the positive impact I've felt as an employee has been monumental. I have felt instantly more heard, supported, understood, valued and motivated as an employee. The management above myself seem extremely well organized and present. One particular thing that has stood out to me has been the positive culture within the workforce.

I would ask them to consider what sort of culture and work space environment they want to work within. Compass appear to a very team orientated organization where all stay are valued, regardless of roll. They also seem to recognize and reward hard work and attitude. If someone applying for a job within Compass can see themselves working within this model then they have every opportunity for success within the organization.