Can a chef become a General Manager? Yes, and here's how

At Mitchells & Butlers, we pride ourselves on the growth and development opportunities we provide to our employees. 

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Christian, General Manager of the Micklebrook Stonehouse, who shared his journey on building a successful career with us.

From Chef to General Manager: Christian’s journey of growth

Christian began with M&B over 12 years ago where he started his journey as a chef, demonstrating passion and commitment in his work which led him to develop into a Kitchen Team Leader role, where he successfully ran a kitchen both with and without the support of a Kitchen Manager. 

Wanting to broaden his experiences, he transitioned to a front-of-house supervisor position where his leadership skills shone through, and he swiftly moved up the ranks to become an Assistant Manager. 

Soon he was offered an opportunity to become a Holding General Manager, and finally achieved the role of General Manager (GM) by the impressive age of 23.

Why people development drives success

For Christian, one of the most rewarding aspects of his role is people development and team building as he is passionate about nurturing teams and gains immense satisfaction from seeing team members’ progress. 

He believes in the importance of regular catchups with his management team, as their development directly impacts the success of the Micklebrook. "The results your business gets is a direct output of the time you spend nurturing your team," he explains.

Working at M&B offers a dynamic environment where no two days are the same. Christian loves seeing the results of his and his team's hard work and whilst he values being on top of scorecards and leaderboards, he finds the most joy in people development.

Looking ahead, Christian is aiming to become an Area Manager. He acknowledges the incredible support network within M&B, including that of his own Area Manager, which has helped him reach his goals and realise his potential. "You have to work hard to get there and prove your potential, but the structure in M&B to progress is amazing," he notes.

What makes a great General Manager?

Christian’s efforts were recognised when he won GM of the Year at the annual PRIDE awards, and he considers this and the subsequent trip to France as highlights in his career. 

Additionally, being a part of the Stonehouse brand evolution and leading the remodel at the Micklebrook was another significant achievement. Despite the challenges, the remodel's success was a testament to his leadership and collaboration with his team and various support teams, including Marketing, Training, and Till teams.

The Stonehouse brand has evolved to offer something for everyone. While maintaining the foundations of their fantastic carvery, they've introduced various elements such as fresh dough pizzas, Cornish ice cream, and freshly made cocktails, enhancing their appeal to a broader audience.

Advice for aspiring managers

For those considering joining Stonehouse, Christian offers some advice: "If you're a 'hands-on' manager that loves to lead from the front in a very fast-paced business, then Stonehouse will be perfect for you. 

Every day is different and challenging, which keeps you on your toes. We tend to be a big family who support each other through the good and the bad."

Ready to take your next step in hospitality? Join our team and discover where your passion can lead!

Explore Stonehouse jobs today!

• Stonehouse Bar and Waiting jobs 
• Stonehouse Kitchen jobs 
• Stonehouse Management jobs