Cherri Hunt
Havant,Hampshire
Summary
Accomplished Operations Manager with extensive expertise in education food service. Demonstrates proficiency in budget and food cost controls, financial forecasting and contract management. Skilled in staff management, hiring, and onboarding, with a strong focus on resilience under pressure. Adept at event planning and special diets catering, ensuring compliance with COSHH guidelines and allergen awareness. Proficient in Microsoft applications and catering software, enhancing operational efficiency. Committed to delivering exceptional customer service while maintaining high standards of food hygiene and presentation.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Operations Manager
Caterlink Ltd
Portsmouth
09.2018 - Current
- Oversee operations for 18 educational sites across Hampshire, ensuring effective management of 120+ staff.
- Managed compliance with school food standards, allergen controls, and HACCP protocols.
- Optimised FSM & meal uptake whilst maintaining PPM and GP while adhering to strict budgets..
Executive Chef Manager
Pabulum Catering
Basingstoke, Hampshire
11.2017 - 09.2018
- Directly managed a team of six in delivering nutritious meals to over 500 students and staff daily.
Group Manager
ABM Catering
, Hampshire
09.2016 - 11.2017
- Managed food standards and menu planning to ensure high-quality dining experiences while developing staff competencies in seven schools and colleges..
Senior Development Chef
Pabulum
Portsmouth
02.2015 - 06.2016
- Delivered compliant menus across 60+ primary schools, enhancing adherence to FFL and SFP guidelines.
Optimised food cost budgets while developing menus to meet nutritional standards.
Elevated staff performance through targeted training and development support for unit-based teams.
Development Chef
Pabulum
South London
10.2013 - 02.2015
- Assisted operations manager and food development team across 18 sites including primary schools, secondary schools, and B&I sites.
- Collaborated with unit managers to train kitchen and back of house teams.
- Supported hospitality efforts for special events.
Relief Chef Manager/Area Support
Pabulum
07.2012 - 10.2013
- Supporting the operations manager in covering staffing shortages across 14 primary and secondary schools in Hampshire.
- Enhance staff capabilities through development and training on food standards and financial management to ensure compliance and operational excellence.
Catering Manager
Pabulum
Alton, Hampshire
10.2011 - 07.2012
- Managed a team of six catering professionals providing quality meal services to uphold company standards and fulfill operational objectives..
Restaurant Manager
Little Chef Emsworth
03.2010 - 08.2011
- My job role was the day to day running of a roadside restaurant whose customer base was small, my task was to rebuild its regular customer base which we achieved as a team through hard work and commitment.
- Duties included stock control, ordering, liaising with suppliers, customers and colleagues via email telephone and letter.
- Banking, payroll, training, development and recruitment, Budget, costings.
- Keeping all health and safety, food hygiene and fire paperwork up to date in accordance with current regulations
Chef
Stafffinder Catering Agency
01.2007 - 01.2010
- I worked for a catering agency in various care homes, factories and restaurants throughout the Portsmouth area.
Chef
White Lodge Care Home
01.2008 - 01.2009
- I worked as a chef for a small care home this involved serving breakfast lunch and preparing the evening meals for the residents, I planned the menu according to their dietary needs, conforming to health and safety and food hygiene regulations and was responsible for keeping all paperwork up to date.
Catering Manager
Catering Partnership Ltd
08.2007 - 09.2008
- Catering manager for 2 factory canteens in Portsmouth my job role was to prepare and serve customers in 1 unit and the management of both sites which entailed menu planning, wages, filing, stock control and conforming with health and safety regulations.
Team Leader Chef
Brewers Fayre
01.2004 - 01.2007
- I worked at the barn since it opened in June 2004 I started as a kitchen assistant and progressed to trainee head chef by June 2006 when I left for maternity leave. I also dealt with the ordering and deliveries of stock and assisted in the management of kitchen stock and reducing its wastage.
2nd Chef
The Compass Rose Portsmouth
06.2002 - 09.2003
- I was 2nd chef at the compass rose for just over a year before taking maternity leave my job was to assist the head chef in running the kitchen. The restaurant had about 60 covers all the food served was freshly prepared by the chefs. I took over the head chef role on his days off and holidays I also dealt with the ordering of stock and assisted in stocktaking.
Education
Maths GCSE-B, English GCSE-C, Science Double Award GCSE-CC, Food Technology GCSE-B, 6 Grade C GCSE
Crookhorn Community School
Waterlooville 01.1995 - 01.2000
A's-levels - Accounts, Economics and Politics
Havant College
Havant, Hampshire 01.2002 - 01.2003
Skills
- Contract management
- Finance management
- Allergen awareness
- Project timeframes adherence
- Calm under pressure
- Staff management
- Food safety awareness
- COSHH guidelines
References
Available on request.
Timeline
Operations Manager
Caterlink Ltd
09.2018 - Current
Executive Chef Manager
Pabulum Catering
11.2017 - 09.2018
Group Manager
ABM Catering
09.2016 - 11.2017
Senior Development Chef
Pabulum
02.2015 - 06.2016
Development Chef
Pabulum
10.2013 - 02.2015
Relief Chef Manager/Area Support
Pabulum
07.2012 - 10.2013
Catering Manager
Pabulum
10.2011 - 07.2012
Restaurant Manager
Little Chef Emsworth
03.2010 - 08.2011
Chef
White Lodge Care Home
01.2008 - 01.2009
Catering Manager
Catering Partnership Ltd
08.2007 - 09.2008
Chef
Stafffinder Catering Agency
01.2007 - 01.2010
Team Leader Chef
Brewers Fayre
01.2004 - 01.2007
2nd Chef
The Compass Rose Portsmouth
06.2002 - 09.2003
A's-levels - Accounts, Economics and Politics
Havant College
01.2002 - 01.2003
Maths GCSE-B, English GCSE-C, Science Double Award GCSE-CC, Food Technology GCSE-B, 6 Grade C GCSE
Crookhorn Community School
01.1995 - 01.2000