How to improve chef retention?

Amidst the worst chef talent shortage on record, it’s more crucial than ever to improve chef retention.. Especially as it costs between 6-9 months of a chefs salary to recruit and train a new hire. For a chef making £35,000 per year, that’s between £17,500 – £26,250 in recruiting and training costs!

But there are more reasons to focus on chef retention than just the financials. When chefs stay in your kitchen, the consistency of your food, and team morale tend to soar, and as word spreads, prospective chefs take notice, drawn to an establishment with a stable, passionate, and skilled culinary brigade. Who wouldn’t want to cook up culinary magic in a kitchen like that?

But chef retention is the sum of many culinary ingredients: fair compensation, a compelling kitchen culture, supportive culinary leaders, and opportunities for growth. By enhancing even a few of these aspects, you can transform your establishment into a venue where chefs are inspired to join and stay.

Encourage chef feedback: A kitchen where leadership listens can create a team culture that chefs won’t want to leave.

Be inclusive: In your kitchen, ensure everyone feels like an essential ingredient in the recipe for success, fostering an atmosphere of belonging.

Be flexible: Grant chefs’ better control over their work schedules.

Fairly compensate: Equitably compensate your chefs, ensuring no pay disparities exist, and what’s being paid meets the market.

Think about cash incentives: In addition to regular compensation, what about offering chefs one-time bonuses, travel loans or even or help with training debts they may have.

Provide benefits: Offer comprehensive benefits, including robust mental health support, showcasing your culinary team’s well-being.

Support working parents: Acknowledge the importance of childcare, especially during uncertain times, and offer support.

Ensure recruitment honesty: During the hiring process, disclose potential kitchen challenges and realities, ensuring chefs are well-prepared for their culinary journey with you.

Create a brilliant onboarding experience: Create a welcoming and informative onboarding program to give new chefs a detailed introduction to your kitchen’s culture.

Pair new chefs with a mentor: Welcome newcomers with experienced mentors to guide them, nurture their culinary growth, and offer a sounding board.

Conduct stay interviews: Engage chefs in “stay interviews” to understand their culinary aspirations and address any issues proactively.

Encourage “boomerangs”: Even if a chef leaves, keep the door open with a positive exit interview. Consider enticing great former chefs back with long-term culinary compensation plans.

Promote internal mobility: Create opportunities for chefs to explore different culinary roles within your establishment, enhancing their career satisfaction.

Offer career development: Map out clear culinary growth paths within your kitchen, fueling chefs’ aspirations.

Offer opportunities for upskilling: Provide ample chances for chefs to refine their culinary skills, keeping them relevant and motivated.

Maximise skill utilisation: Ensure chefs’ talents are fully utilised in the kitchen, recognising their culinary strengths and potential.

Cultivate open and effective leadership: Invest in leadership training to inspire chefs to work for managers who understand the artistry of cooking.

Promote engagement: Create an environment where chefs are fully engaged in their culinary craft, knowing their culinary contributions are valued.

Get work-life balance right: Promote work-life balance to prevent culinary burnout.

Regularly have check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins to discuss workload and job satisfaction, ensuring chefs feel valued.

And finally..

The industry has changed, but has your approach to hiring chefs?

A smaller chef talent pool and much more competition means it’s vital for every employer regardless of size to utilise the most effective recruitment tools in the market to engage the talent they need.

Save yourself precious time and money by speaking to one of our dedicated hospitality specialist today. We design solutions that are relevant to your business and aim to increase your profitability, order value and footfall. We aren’t just about filling an open role but can be your key hospitality partner who can take your business on a brand new level through finding the right people for you to invest in!