A day in the life of a Head Chef at Harvester

What are some of the first things that spring to mind when you hear Harvester? Rotisserie chicken? Unlimited salad bars? How about kitchen jobs? If you haven’t thought about bringing your kitchen career to Harvester, let us tell you why it could be a great move.

We spoke to two of our Head Chefs, Carl (below) and Indie, who have an eye for detail and are passionate about all things food, and they told us about what their days look like during a busy service.

1. Is there such a thing as a 'typical' day for you, and if so, what does it look like?

Carl : ‘Each day can be different in a Harvester kitchen, primarily I’ll be on the cook line but my duties on a daily basis could consist of a mixture of things stretching from coaching/training team to putting a delivery away.’

Indie : ‘There’s no such thing as a typical day, but that’s why I like what I do. A few responsibilities of a kitchen manager include:

● Check the kitchen after the previous night’s close down

● Fix any broken items or contact the engineers

● Make sure the grill line is set up for every service

● Call our supplier to sort out any missing items

● Check the stock and place food orders

● Close down the kitchen

● And so much more!

2. Are there any moments that stand out in your KM career at M&B?

Carl : ‘I think the day I became a fully Accredited Kitchen Manager stands out for me. I had only been a KM for 27 months approx. before I earned my accreditation.’

Indie : ‘There are lots of things that I could mention, including training my team and external KMs & General Managers (GMs) for which they sent me a gift and thank you cards. I’ve received some lovely guest feedback. For example, one little girl gave me an Easter card.

Ultimately, working very busy days with a small team to achieve my goal of making guests happy is like getting an endorphin rush without going to the gym.’

3. What are the most important lessons/skills you've learnt during your KM career?

Carl : ‘I think for me the biggest lesson is learning to manage different individuals accordingly based on their skill set and personality. Not one team member is the same so the ability to adapt is key when needing to talk to them for whatever the reason may be.’

Indie : ‘Overtime like everyone I’ve learned from mistakes. I do think it’s important to give things a try or to look or ask for help.’

4. Do you think working in a kitchen is for everyone, or are some people made for it?

Carl : ‘I do feel some people are better suited than others for the pressures that a kitchen environment can throw at you. However, I’ve seen first-hand that with a little patience people DO have the ability to shine through, despite potential doubts initially.’

Indie : ‘It might not be for everyone. What you will need is a passion for food and cooking and a love for new challenges every day.’

5. If someone was thinking about applying for a Kitchen Manager job at M&B, what advice would you give to them?

Carl : ‘I would always advise listening to the team already in place, they may not always be right with some of what they are saying but still important to gauge their approach as this team is what will help move yourself and the business forward given the right direction.’

Indie : ‘DO IT - it’s challenging but very rewarding!’

6. Who would be your dream dinner guest and what would you cook for them?

Carl : ‘Tom Cruise, I would pay for someone to cook for us, so I get to spend more time talking to him at the table.’

Indie : ‘This is coming from the heart… It would have to be my father & my grandmother who are sadly not with us anymore or never got to see how well I am doing in my life. I’d cook what I do every day: Harvester food (steak & salmon)!’

Looking for your next kitchen to cook up a storm in?

At Harvester, we’re on the lookout for Head Chefs to add to our growing teams. With a big dollop of determination, a splash of help from our award-winning training, and a pint-full of positivity, we can take your career to the next level.

Browse our available head chef jobs today or find out more about jobs at Harvester today.