At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and serve delicious, nutritious meals for primary school children.
- Company: Caterlink is dedicated to providing excellent food services in schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy term-time hours, flexible schedules, and access to employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's health while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: No specific experience required; passion for cooking and teamwork is essential.
- Other info: Opportunities for training and career growth available.
We are hiring a Chef at New Town Primary School Reading who wants to ensure our future generations are provided with nutritionally balanced and tasty food. This role is working term-time only and no weekends, making it ideal for those seeking flexibility.
The role includes:
- £13.00-£14.00 per hour
- 22.5 - 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday
- Term-time only, 38.6 weeks per year (including 3 mandatory cleaning days)
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Preparing, cooking, and presenting food to the standards required by Caterlink and the client
- Ensuring compliance with statutory and company requirements for Health and Safety, Food Safety, and environmental legislation
- Enhancing the company's reputation for excellent food and service with clients and customers, exceeding expectations
- Managing the day-to-day operations of the location, supervising teams, managing inventories, monitoring budgets, and implementing action plans
- Serving as the main point of contact for the school client, recommending and implementing improvements
- Communicating regularly with your line manager to monitor KPIs and financial targets
- Supporting and training team members, ensuring all training is completed and performance is managed
Caterlink values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where every individual is treated with respect, integrity, and fairness, and has opportunities to grow. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be obtained for this role.
Additional Information:
- Opportunities for formal qualifications, apprenticeships, classroom training, eLearning, and on-the-job training
- Access to our Employee Discount Platform for savings on supermarkets, cinemas, restaurants, holidays, family days out, and more
- Full access to Wellbeing Services, including Employee Assistance Program and Virtual GP benefits, free for you and your family
- Possible eligibility to join our Pension scheme
Remote Work: No
Employment Type: Part-time
Caterlink - Chef employer: WSH Group
Contact Detail:
WSH Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Caterlink - Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Caterlink's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to providing nutritious meals and promoting a positive environment will help you align your responses during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any experience you have in managing kitchen operations or supervising teams. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully handled inventory management, budget monitoring, or training team members in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your knowledge of health and safety regulations in food preparation. Being able to articulate your understanding of compliance with statutory requirements will demonstrate your professionalism and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for working with children and your ability to create enjoyable dining experiences. Think of ways to express how you can contribute to making mealtimes fun and engaging for students, which is key in a school setting.
We think you need these skills to ace Caterlink - Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and requirements for the Chef position at Caterlink. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in preparing and presenting food, as well as your knowledge of health and safety regulations.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience you have in a similar role, particularly in a school or catering environment. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage kitchen operations and exceed client expectations.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to include key skills that are relevant to the position, such as food safety compliance, team management, and communication skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully trained team members or improved service quality in past roles.
Personalise Your Application: Address your application to the hiring manager if possible, and express your enthusiasm for working with Caterlink. Mention your commitment to providing nutritious meals for children and your alignment with the company's values of diversity and inclusion.
How to prepare for a job interview at WSH Group
✨Show Your Passion for Nutrition
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for providing nutritionally balanced meals. Share any personal experiences or insights you have about the importance of healthy eating, especially for children.
✨Demonstrate Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to discuss your cooking techniques and how you ensure food presentation meets high standards. If possible, bring examples of your work or describe a successful dish you've created in the past.
✨Understand Health and Safety Regulations
Familiarise yourself with relevant health and safety regulations, as well as food safety practices. Be ready to discuss how you implement these in your daily operations to ensure compliance.
✨Highlight Team Management Experience
Since the role involves supervising teams, share your experience in managing staff and training team members. Discuss how you motivate your team and handle challenges in a kitchen environment.