Yolandi Hicks

Experienced Chef Manager with a proven track record of creating successful food service operations and managing staff. Extensive experience in menu design, ordering supplies and creating innovative solutions to food service challenges. Well-versed in hospitality standards and natural knack for building relationships with pupils, parents and staff. I have excellent management, organizational and problem-solving abilities.

Chef Manager - Blue Arrow Agency - Hertfordshire

(2023-03)

Undertaking various contract assignments at junior schools, nurseries, hospitals, care homes, public houses and golf clubs. Accountable for delivering a high standard of catering options across all contract assignments; adjusting practices based on the individual client's needs.

Catering Manager - Holroyd Howe - Hertfordshire

(2023-03 - 2024-03)

• Providing healthy and nutritious choices for breakfast club, morning break and lunch for 450 pupils and 120 staff daily Monday to Friday
• Catering for functions e.g. Sports Days, Parent Open Days, Curriculum Evenings and Theme Days.
• Responsible for recruiting, training and managing a team of between 10-18 kitchen staff.
• Fully understood and complied with Natasha's Law, allergen requirements, cleaning and hygiene schedules, company policies and standards.
• Monitored financial performance using in house computer system.
• Attended to all eating needs in polite and helpful manner, addressing child's or parent's questions, concerns or issues.

Chef Manager - Thomas's London Day School - Battersea, Wandsworth

(2009-09 - 2023-03)

• Maintained a 5 star food hygiene rating each year.
• Manage, provide and serve morning break, lunch, packed lunches, allergy food and afternoon break for 850 pupils and 160 staff 5 days a week.
• Provide all school staff breakfast twice a week.
• Booking and organizing various events and gatherings, ordering of flowers, catering and seeing it through until the end whether for pupils, parents, guests and visitors.
• Recruited, managed, trained and supported 18 kitchen staff members.
• Processing invoices and charging out functions, reporting to Catering Manager using in house systems.
• Inventoried food, ingredients and supply stock to prepare and plan orders.
• Meticulously checked delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
• Worked closely with parents of children with allergies or challenging eating habits to be able to provide excellent solutions.

Staffing Manager - Levy Restaurants - London

(2007-03 - 2009-09)

Mobilization and opening of The O2 Arena

Hospitality & Catering Manager - Compass Group UK & Ireland - London

(2004-02 - 2007-03)

Catering Manager - Woodridge College - Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa

(1998-10 - 2004-01)

International private school with 1200 pupils, operating 7 days a week.