When Caitlin started her photography degree, a career in hospitality wasn’t exactly part of the plan. She was simply looking for a part-time chef job that would fit around her studies.
Nearly eight years later, she’s a Head Chef at the Red Lion Hotel in Portsmouth, leading a busy kitchen team and working towards becoming an Accredited Head Chef.
In between, she’s graduated from university, become a mum, worked across several M&B brands and built a career in kitchen leadership.
So, how do you go from a part-time chef to a Head Chef? Caitlin shares her chef career journey, what it’s really like to lead a kitchen team and how the support of her colleagues has helped her keep progressing.
How did you start your career in hospitality?
“My name's Caitlin, I'm originally from Wigan, and I'm mum to my three-year-old son, Onyx. We love spending time at the beach, visiting family and finding new adventures together.
I've been with M&B for nearly eight years. I joined as a part-time chef while studying for a photography degree in Bournemouth. I never expected hospitality to become my career, but I quickly realised how much I enjoyed the fast-paced environment and the people I worked with.
Today, I’m a Head Chef at the Red Lion Hotel in Portsmouth, leading a busy kitchen team and helping others develop their skills.”
How did you progress from chef to Head Chef?
“A lot has happened since I joined. I graduated from university, became a mum, moved across the country and continued building my career.
After starting as a chef, I progressed into a Kitchen Team Leader role and started an apprenticeship through Chefs Academy to build my skills and confidence.
When I became pregnant with my son, I took a break from my studies. But once I returned to work after welcoming my son, I was determined to keep progressing.
Since then, I’ve worked across several M&B brands, including Sizzling, O'Neill's, Toby Carvery and High Street. Each move brought new opportunities to learn, take on bigger challenges and grow as a leader.
And now, I’m aspiring to become an Accredited Head Chef!”
What does a Head Chef do?
As a Head Chef, Caitlin is responsible for more than just great food. She leads her kitchen team, helps people develop their skills and makes sure the kitchen delivers a brilliant experience for guests.
But for Caitlin, the opportunity to help others progress is one of the most exciting parts of the role.
What does an Accredited Head Chef do?
“The role is all about helping Kitchen Managers across the business to succeed by providing training, support and being a friendly face when they need one.
What excites me most is the opportunity to support aspiring Head Chefs, help welcome and induct new starters and share my experience and skills along the way.”
For Caitlin, progressing into an Accredited Head Chef role is about taking the next step in her own kitchen leadership career, while helping other chefs do the same.
What motivated you to progress your chef career?
“What has motivated me most throughout my career is the people around me.
I've worked with so many supportive managers, trainers and colleagues who believed in me and encouraged me to aim higher.
Their support has played a huge role in helping me get to where I am today.”
It’s a good reminder that career progression in hospitality isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes, it’s the people around you who give you the confidence to take that next step.
What is it like being a Head Chef?
“There really isn't a typical day, and that's one of the things I love most about the role.
My priority is making sure we deliver great-quality food and a brilliant experience for our guests, but every day brings something different.
I might be coaching team members, learning new skills myself or supporting the wider business.
The variety keeps things exciting, and there's always an opportunity to grow.”
For anyone considering a Head Chef career, that variety is a big part of the appeal. You’re not just running a kitchen. You’re leading people, developing your team, solving problems and continuing to learn yourself.
How has M&B supported you as a working mum?
“M&B have been really supportive throughout my journey as a mum. Balancing work and family life can be challenging, especially with the moves and changes over the years, but I've always felt supported.
The teams I've worked with have welcomed not just me, but my son too, which has made a huge difference.
During my pregnancy and when I returned from maternity leave, my managers and teams were incredibly understanding. I stayed connected with the team while I was off, and when I came back, I was able to gradually increase my hours rather than returning full-time straight away.
The support I received made a huge difference, especially when balancing work with the changing needs of a young family.
Work-life balance has looked different at different times, but we've always been able to make time for the moments that matter most. I'm also very lucky to have a supportive partner who also works for M&B, which has helped us navigate parenthood and our careers together.”
What advice would you give someone who wants to become a Head Chef?
“The best advice I can give is to take something away from every person you meet. Whether that’s a skill, a trait or a persona.
Each team, business and manager has given me a different perspective. I've learned valuable lessons from everyone I've worked with and taken those experiences into my own leadership style.”
And that’s perhaps the biggest lesson from Caitlin’s career progression from part-time chef to Head Chef: you don’t need to have your whole career mapped out from day one.
Start somewhere. Learn from the people around you. Take on new challenges. And when an opportunity comes along, be ready to take it.
Inspired by Caitlin’s chef career journey?
Caitlin started with a part-time chef job while studying. Today, she’s leading a kitchen team and working towards her next career goal.
At M&B, there are opportunities to develop your skills, progress into kitchen leadership and build a long-term career in hospitality.
So, if you’re looking for chef jobs, Kitchen Team Leader opportunities or your next step towards becoming a Head Chef, your next opportunity could be closer than you think.
Explore our latest Head Chef opportunities and start your own career journey with M&B.
