At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and cook nutritious meals for students while managing kitchen operations.
- Company: Join a leading hospitality recruitment agency with a focus on education and healthcare.
- Benefits: Earn from £16 per hour, enjoy flexible hours, and weekends off.
- Other info: Great opportunities for permanent roles and a chance to earn rewards through referrals.
- Why this job: Make a difference by providing healthy meals to children in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: DBS certificate required, plus 6 months of chef experience and food safety knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 33280 - 41600 £ per year.
Location: Reading
Pay Rate: From £16 per hour (dependent on experience and client requirements)
Job Type: Flexible / Temporary (with potential for permanent opportunities)
About the Role
Berkeley Scott, one of the UK’s leading hospitality recruitment agencies, is currently recruiting an experienced and passionate School Chef to support a variety of clients within the Education and Healthcare sectors. This is an excellent opportunity for chefs seeking weekday work, work life balance, and the potential to secure long term or permanent placements in school kitchens.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Preparing and cooking nutritious, balanced meals for students and staff
- Planning menus in line with school guidelines and dietary requirements
- Ensuring high standards of food hygiene, safety, and kitchen cleanliness
- Managing stock, ordering supplies, and minimising waste
- Supervising and supporting kitchen assistants during service
- Adhering to all food safety and health & safety regulations
What We’re Looking For
- Enhanced DBS Certificate (Child Workforce) – essential
- Right to work in the UK
- Minimum 6 months’ experience as a Chef (preferably in schools or similar environments)
- Level 2 Food Safety Certificate (or equivalent)
- Two employment references
- Strong reliability, organisation, and excellent timekeeping
- A passion for providing healthy meals for children and young people
What We Offer
- Competitive hourly pay from £16.00
- Flexible working to fit your availability
- Weekends off – ideal for work life balance
- Opportunities for overtime if desired
- The chance to work with a respected, nationwide agency
- Potential for permanent school chef placements
- Refer a friend scheme: Earn a £50 Amazon voucher after 10 shifts
Kellan Group (including all of our brands, Berkeley Scott, RK and Quantica) are committed to promoting equal opportunities to people regardless of age, gender, religion, belief, race, sexuality or disability. We operate as an employment agency and employment business.
School Chef in Reading employer: Berkeley Scott
Berkeley Scott is an exceptional employer for School Chefs, offering competitive pay rates starting from £16 per hour and flexible working hours that promote a healthy work-life balance. With opportunities for permanent placements and a commitment to equal opportunities, employees can thrive in a supportive environment while making a meaningful impact on the lives of students and staff in Reading's educational and healthcare sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Chef in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, school staff, or even parents in the community. You never know who might have a lead on a school chef position that’s not advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demo at a school. This gives you a chance to showcase your culinary talents and passion for healthy meals directly to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay flexible! Since this role is temporary with potential for permanent placements, be open to different shifts and locations. The more adaptable you are, the better your chances of landing that long-term gig.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications and find roles that fit your schedule perfectly.
We think you need these skills to ace School Chef in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let us see your love for cooking and providing healthy meals. Share any experiences that highlight your passion for food, especially in a school or similar environment.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to detail your experience as a chef, particularly in educational or healthcare settings. We want to know about your skills in preparing nutritious meals and managing kitchen operations.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this role offers flexible working, be upfront about your availability. Let us know when you can work, so we can match you with the right opportunities that fit your schedule.
Apply Through Our Website:To make the process smoother, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you started on your journey to becoming a School Chef!
How to prepare for a job interview at Berkeley Scott
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of meals you’ll be preparing. Research common dietary requirements in schools and be ready to discuss how you can cater to them. This shows your passion for providing healthy meals and your understanding of the role.
✨Show Off Your Hygiene Standards
Be prepared to talk about food safety and hygiene practices. Bring up your Level 2 Food Safety Certificate and any relevant experiences where you maintained high standards in the kitchen. This will demonstrate your commitment to safety and cleanliness.
✨Menu Planning Skills
Think about how you would plan a menu that meets school guidelines. Be ready to share examples of menus you've created in the past, especially those that catered to specific dietary needs. This will highlight your creativity and organisational skills.
✨Team Player Attitude
Since you'll be supervising kitchen assistants, emphasise your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you’ve successfully led a team or supported others during busy service times. This will show that you can manage a kitchen effectively while fostering a positive environment.
