At a Glance
- Tasks: Cook large-scale meals and supervise food preparation in a structured prison kitchen.
- Company: Join Blue Arrow, a supportive team with diverse catering opportunities.
- Benefits: Earn from £19 to £37 per hour, enjoy reliable hours and holiday accrual.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, potential for permanent roles, and access to various catering environments.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while working in a unique and purposeful environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in batch cooking and a Level 2 food hygiene certificate required.
Environment: Prison catering - chefs to work within prisons
Location: Staffordshire, Burton Upon Trent, Litchfield, Uttoxeter, Telford, Stoke on Trent, Newcastle Under Lyme, Crewe, Congleton, Leek & surrounding areas
Pay: From £19 per hour Monday to Friday, with weekend rates up to £37 per hour. We offer ongoing full-time work with reliable weekly pay, plus enhanced rates for weekends and Bank Holidays. You must be able to commit to full-time hours and the shift pattern provided once your rota is issued.
Shift Patterns: Will be 5 days out of 7 including weekends and bank holidays up to 37.5 hours a week
Start Date: If you have previously worked in a prison or completed prison vetting within the last 5 years, you may be able to start quickly. If not, we can support you through the vetting process and submit your details to the relevant team. While you wait, we can offer other catering assignments through our wider client base, so you're not without any work.
The Role: We are currently looking for chefs of all levels, from experienced Cooks and Chef de Parties through to Sous Chefs, Head Chefs and Catering & Chef Managers. Prison catering can be a fantastic opportunity if you enjoy structure, consistency and high-volume cooking, but if a prison environment is not quite right for you, we can still help. Blue Arrow covers a wide range of catering environments, including schools, care homes, hospitals, contract catering, events, hospitality venues and more.
Working within a prison kitchen is not your typical kitchen. You will be based inside a prison, running a busy catering operation that keeps hundreds of people well-fed every day. It's all about high-volume, quality batch cooking that ensures the operation runs like clockwork (thanks to people like you).
As part of the prison kitchen team, you will work alongside civilian catering staff and support residents working in the kitchen. You will help supervise food preparation, cooking and service while following strict food safety, health and safety, and site procedures.
You’ll be:
- Prepping and cooking large-scale meals - no tiny plates here.
- Following batch recipes to keep quality and consistency on point
- Helping train and support Prison residents on site
- Keeping things clean, safe, and organised
- Working as part of a small, dedicated catering team
- Putting away deliveries.
- Assisting with the preparation of food & other areas of the kitchen including pot washing, and basic cookery skills
- Adhering to all relevant health and safety requirements
- Cooking nutritious food within requirements
- Ensuring a clean as you go policy is being always operated
- Possibility of serving food and stocking up trolleys.
- Training and supervising Prison residents on site
This isn't a restaurant gig - it's a professional kitchen with purpose and structure. You'll be making a real difference every day.
Who We're Looking For:
- Chefs of all levels with kitchen experience, ideally in batch, volume or contract catering
- A cool head, solid work ethic, and a sense of humour
- A team-player attitude and clear communication
- A calm, respectful approach to working in secure settings
- Previous experience as a chef up to supervisory level or worked in a prison previously.
- Previous experience within contract catering or cooking food in bulk.
- For an immediate start ideally, you would have prison checks completed within the last year, or willing to go through one with the prison directly, this can take some time to be returned.
- Flexibility in shift patterns including weekends - must be able to cover full time hours
- Great communication and teamwork skills
- Level 2 food hygiene certificate dated within the last 3 years
- Happy to conduct extra Prison checks, due to the environment of the role
- Happy to work in a prison, with prison catering staff onsite.
- An in date Enhanced DBS covering child or adult or both workforce DATED WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS ideally on the new updated service programme. (we do have the Facilities to put you through one at a cost)
- Ability to work under pressure
- Due to certain locations a full UK driving license is required along with own access to a vehicle
If you have worked in schools, hospitals, MOD, care catering, hotels, restaurants, events or contract catering, we would love to hear from you. Even if prison work is not your first choice, we may have other chef assignments that better suit your experience, location and availability.
What You Get:
- Reliable hours and structured days (no late nights!)
- A supportive kitchen crew
- The chance to be part of something meaningful, day in and day out
- Access to a wide range of catering opportunities across different environments, not just prisons
- Work available for chefs at different levels, with options to suit your skills, availability and preferred setting
- Great pay rates paid weekly
- Ongoing work, offering full time hours
- Dedicated consultant
- Great opportunity for a foot in the door with a fantastic company
- Holiday accrual
- Company pension scheme
- Some shifts can offer an early finish
- Not every weekend worked
- Even though a lot of your roles will be on a temporary basis, these can quite easily lead to permanent work for the right candidates.
The Commute: If you have a car and are flexible with travelling great, majority of our prisons offer on site parking. Due to the location a few of the prisons will need your own transport, however if you want to be considered then please reach out to us, to discuss your options.
Working Hours: As you will be working within a prison the hours can vary every shift, once you start your assignment with the prison you will receive a rota, and the hours can vary from 6am till 7pm, you must be able to commit within these hours, and work weekends as and when required. Weekly average is between 41 hours and 39 hours per week, some even offer an earlier finish, or working 4 days on 4 days off.
Ready to Apply? We would love to speak with you. If this prison chef role sounds like the right fit, click apply today to book your interview slot with Blue Arrow. If you are a chef looking for work but would prefer a different environment, still get in touch, our team covers a wide range of catering contracts and may be able to match you with something that suits you better. Our registration process takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
P.S. Whether you are ready for a structured prison kitchen role or looking for your next chef opportunity elsewhere, we are here to help you find work that fits.
Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.
Chefs in Stoke-on-Trent employer: All The Top Bananas
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chefs in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like All The Top Bananas. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to All The Top Bananas
Don't be shy about reaching out to All The Top Bananas directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Chefs in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about All The Top Bananas and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
