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- Tasks: Prepare and serve delicious food while overseeing menu changes and maintaining hygiene standards.
- Company: Join Chartwells, the UK's leading education catering provider, dedicated to nourishing young minds.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, career progression opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values creativity, individuality, and making a positive impact on students' lives.
- Qualifications: Passion for food, relevant culinary qualifications, and experience in a similar role are essential.
- Other info: This part-time role is contracted for 25 hours a week, across 43 weeks per year.
We're currently recruiting an ambitious Chef to help us create exceptional food experiences for Chartwells on a part time basis contracted to 25 hours per week. As a Chef, you will be responsible for preparing and serving the kind of food that truly brightens our clients' and customers' days, all within the market-leading food service company in the UK. You'll get given every opportunity to progress within a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate.
Here's an idea of what your shift patterns will be: 5 out of 7 days. Please note: This role is contracted to 43 weeks per year.
Could you bring your passion and culinary skill to Chartwells? Here's what you need to know before applying:
- Preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our clients and customers
- Overseeing and implementing menu changes
- Identifying opportunities to improve our food services
- Listening and acting on customer feedback to consistently improve our food services
- Supporting with the creation of new menus and creative food concepts
- Representing Chartwells and maintaining a positive brand image
- Monitoring inventories to keep our kitchens well-stocked
- Overseeing kitchen cleaning responsibilities to maintain hygiene standards
- Complying with Food Handling, Hygiene and Health and Safety regulations
Our ideal Chef will:
- Be passionate about great-tasting food and exceptional customer service
- Hold a City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or NVQ equivalent
- Have experience supervising a team
- Have experience in a similar Chef role
- Hold a Food Hygiene certificate
- Have a flexible approach to working
Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all employees to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children's Barred List check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
School Chef employer: Chartwells
Contact Detail:
Chartwells Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Chartwells' menu offerings and their approach to food service in schools. Understanding their culinary style and customer expectations will help you demonstrate your passion for creating exceptional food experiences during any interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully supervised a kitchen team in the past. Be ready to discuss specific situations where you improved food services or implemented new menu ideas, as this aligns with the responsibilities of the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your commitment to food hygiene and safety standards. Be prepared to discuss your Food Hygiene certificate and any relevant training you've completed, as this is crucial for maintaining the high standards expected at Chartwells.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your flexibility and adaptability in the kitchen. Share examples of how you've successfully managed changing demands or menu adjustments in previous roles, as this will show that you're ready to thrive in a dynamic environment like Chartwells.
We think you need these skills to ace School Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant culinary experience, especially in a school or similar environment. Emphasise any supervisory roles and your qualifications like City & Guilds or NVQ.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and customer service. Mention specific experiences where you improved food services or created new menus, as this aligns with the role's responsibilities.
Highlight Food Hygiene Knowledge: Since the role requires compliance with food handling and hygiene regulations, ensure you mention your Food Hygiene certificate and any relevant training in your application.
Showcase Flexibility and Teamwork: In your application, illustrate your flexible approach to work and your ability to supervise a team. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in a kitchen setting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking and creating delicious meals. Share specific examples of dishes you love to prepare and how you ensure they meet high standards of quality.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership Skills
Since the role involves supervising a team, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in leadership. Highlight how you've motivated your team and handled any challenges that arose in the kitchen.
✨Know the Company and Its Values
Research Chartwells and understand their commitment to quality food service in education. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions about food hygiene, menu planning, and customer feedback. Think of scenarios where you've successfully implemented changes based on feedback or improved kitchen operations.
