Head Chef Review

As Head Chef in a Marston's pub, I am responsible for the food that comes out of the kitchen, I also do food orders, line checks and stock counts. I oversee a team and I am responsible for the high food quality and service that is expected of a Marston's pub.

Yes, I have learnt a lot of new skills, including leadership, communication, time management, cookery, food production building a team, coaching, food quality and such. I have also developed my own existing skills which helped increase my strengths. Most of all I have been able to see my own career path with the help of Marston's.

I have a fantastic trainer and a good support bubble with my general manager. The Marston's Academy also helps enrich the course I am taking. Skill's day's and webinars extend my knowledge further. My trainer is very supportive and takes a genuine interest in her learners.

My programme is very organised, it is laid out in a way that suits someone in a long working hour week. There is plenty of time between sessions to do the work and when covid-19 sanctions allow it, there will be plenty of observations. I like the module aspect of the course as I can see my progress well.

I get a lot of support from my General Manager as he is the person who championed the course to me. I also get support from the Marston's academy via the regional trainers and the course runners. They host webinar's and skill's day's which enrich the course and are available for answering any questions.

As much support as I need, they are there for me when I have doubts or questions, I can just send an email to my trainer and she will usually respond right away. She also calls me when I need a question re-phrasing and generally very supportive and interested in me.

Very well. I am actively using what I have learnt so far on my course, via the online training, trainer discussion sessions or the academy skill's day's and webinar's in the work place. It has so far helped me gain a far better understanding on my role as a leader.

Marston's do host webinars themselves, and there are plenty of opportunites to ask questions about the organisation as a whole. During the lock down, I remember there were webinars based on re-opening and support. There were also inclusive video calls about the company merger and the work going on with the new app.

Yes

I would recommend working for Marston's because, they are one of the few companies left in our trade that want to stay true to their morals and values. They understand and appreciate, even celebrate British Values. They champion opportunities for growth and career development. They offer extensive ways to further your knowledge and skills by completing NVQ's and so-on. You never get the sense that you are just a number there and I personally have never felt like I wasn't equally treated.

If you want to join Marston's, know that you are becoming part of something bigger than just a pub down the road. Marston's has a lot of history and a lot of talented people working for it. From the humble pot washer and server to a Director of the company. Marston's employees from my own experience have a lot of pride in their work and the company they work for. Teamwork prevails, and no person is bigger than the company. You can reap lots of benefits in terms of personal growth and career growth.