Catering Manager

We’re now looking for a Catering Manager to join our team at Priory House in Dunstable.

Your Rewards

• Competitive salary
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Enhanced Staff Benefits

Are you passionate about fresh food, inspiring teams and creating memorable customer experiences?

Your Role

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Catering Manager to lead the tea rooms and catering operation at the beautifully restored Priory House Heritage Centre.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape a unique destination where visitors can enjoy delicious homemade food, locally sourced ingredients and exceptional customer service, all within one of Dunstable’s most treasured historic buildings.

About the Role

As Catering Manager, you’ll take ownership of every aspect of our catering operation, ensuring our tea rooms continue to provide a welcoming atmosphere, outstanding food and an exceptional visitor experience.

You’ll lead and motivate a dedicated kitchen team, develop exciting seasonal menus, manage suppliers and budgets, and play a key role in the continued success and growth of Priory House.

Working closely with the Cultural Services Manager, you’ll help create a destination that celebrates fresh, local produce while delivering excellent value and maintaining high commercial standards.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the day-to-day operation of the Priory House Tea Rooms and catering service.
• Preparing and cooking fresh, high-quality food for the daily menu, seasonal specials and private functions.
• Managing, supporting and developing the kitchen team through supervision, 1:1 meetings, appraisals and staff development.
• Creating staff rotas and managing holiday and sickness cover.
• Ordering stock, sourcing suppliers and managing catering budgets to maximise income while maintaining quality.
• Working with local suppliers to champion fresh, seasonal produce wherever possible.
• Collaborating on innovative menus that reflect the unique character and heritage of Priory House.
• Playing an active role within the Priory House Management Team, including acting as Duty Manager when required.
• Ensuring the highest standards of food hygiene, health and safety and legal compliance are consistently maintained.

We’re Looking for Someone Who

• Has experience managing a busy kitchen or catering operation.
• Is passionate about producing fresh, high-quality food.
• Is an inspiring leader who enjoys developing and supporting others.
• Has excellent organisational and financial management skills.
• Takes pride in delivering outstanding customer experiences.
• Has a strong understanding of food hygiene, health and safety legislation.
• Enjoys working as part of a collaborative management team and contributing new ideas.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about great food, enjoys leading a team and takes pride in delivering exceptional customer experiences. You’ll bring creativity, commercial awareness and a positive attitude, helping make Priory House Tea Rooms a destination people want to return to time and time again.

You’ll ideally have

• A Level 2 NVQ (or equivalent) in Professional Cookery or a related catering qualification, or at least three years’ experience working in a professional kitchen. If you don’t already hold a relevant qualification, you’ll be willing to work towards one.
• Experience working in a fast-paced catering environment, with the ability to remain calm, organised and adaptable under pressure.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to producing consistently high-quality food while maintaining exceptional standards of cleanliness and presentation.
• A current Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or equivalent), or the willingness to obtain one immediately.
• Good commercial awareness, with the ability to help develop a successful and profitable catering operation.
• Experience costing menus, managing food margins and minimising waste without compromising on quality.
• Confidence in managing budgets and working within financial procedures.
• A genuine passion for fresh, locally sourced food and creating exciting seasonal menus.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, support and develop a positive, high-performing team.
• A creative mindset, always looking for new ideas to enhance the customer experience while maintaining attention to detail and consistently high standards.
• A commitment to maintaining high standards of health and safety, and a willingness to wear the required uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring your team does the same.

Most importantly…

You’ll be someone who genuinely cares about creating memorable experiences for our visitors. You’ll take pride in your work, enjoy being part of a collaborative management team, and be excited by the opportunity to help establish Priory House Tea Rooms as one of the area’s favourite places to eat, meet and relax.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please submit a covering statement clearly explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the job description and your CV. Email your application to Info@dunstable.gov.uk

For further information please read the Recruitment Pack.

Nb: Applications received that do not include a full covering statement will not be considered.

CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS – 1 September 2026

Please note interviews will take place 14 September 2026