FIVE MINUTES WITH… CLAIRE OLDFIELD, DOLCE’S NEW OPS DIRECTOR FOR THE NORTH

Claire has not only worked hard on her career over the past decade but has also focused on her learning. She has studied and achieved qualifications in Operational Management, alongside work and also being a mum to three daughters.

We sat down with Claire to hear more about her career journey from cook to Operations Director, how she juggled studying along the way and how her nana inspired her love for baking.

You joined Dolce after your children were all at school – what inspired you to make the move?

Before joining Dolce, I worked in the catering department for the NHS for eight years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, inspired by my nana, and I needed a job that fit around my children when they were in their toddler and pre-school years.

When my youngest daughter started school, I began looking for a role with more regular hours – Monday to Friday – rather than evenings and weekends.

That’s when I came across the opportunity to join Dolce as part of the catering team at a local school near my home in Pontefract. The role was perfect for me; it matched my love of cooking, the hours suited my family life, and it felt like a great fit. I applied and I got the position.

You became Area Manager within your first three months at Dolce – is that right?

Yes, that’s right! I started on the catering team at the school and worked there for three months. During that time, Dolce was growing rapidly. It was around the time free school meals were introduced, and many schools were looking to source their catering services from private providers instead of Local Authorities.

When I first became Area Manager, we managed catering for just three schools in Yorkshire. It was incredible to see that grow to over 50 schools during my five years in the role.

How did you move from Area Manager to Operations Manager?

After five years as Area Manager, I felt ready for a new challenge. I reached out to Scott Curtis, who is Managing Director at Dolce, to see what opportunities may be on the horizon. The role for Operations Manager for Yorkshire and the North East came up and I took it. This was in 2019, and then in October last year (2024) the role of Operations Director of the North opened up, and here I am!

You have been studying alongside your career. How did you find juggling it all?

I’ve achieved three qualifications – Level 3, 4, and 5 in Operational Management. While I was gaining valuable hands-on experience in my role, I wanted to broaden my knowledge as much as possible. Studying from home allowed me to balance learning with work, and Dolce was incredibly supportive throughout the process. They were happy to provide time off for lessons, revision, and exams, which made a big difference.

It’s quite a journey to go from school cook to Operations Director within 10 years.

What do you do outside of work to relax?

There is nothing better than reading a good book; I’m an avid reader. I’m currently reading James Patterson’s ‘Private’ series. I’m pretty sure I could open my own mini-library!

I also love to bake and cook. I have fond memories of going up to my nana’s on a weekend and she would bake with me. Those times have stayed with me, and I’ve tried to pass that love on to my daughters.

Dolce works in catering. We’ve got to ask – what would be your ‘deathrow’ meal?

It would have to be a roast dinner. Roast beef, Yorkshire puddings – nothing beats it. It’s classic comfort food.

Thanks Claire!
The Dolce team

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