At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-volume kitchen, serving fresh meals to students daily.
- Company: Join one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers.
- Benefits: Enjoy daytime hours, free meals, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Fantastic work-life balance with no evenings or weekends.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume catering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33000 - 33000 € per year.
Impact Food Group (IFG) is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment. Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.
School Location: New School in the Farnham Area GU9
Working Days: Monday to Friday
Shifts & Working hours: 7am-4pm (35 hours per week)
Working Weeks: 42 weeks per year (term time, inset days and 3 additional weeks)
Pay Details: £33,000 Annum
What will I be doing? As a Chef Manager, you’ll take full responsibility for running a high-volume kitchen, serving fresh, seasonal meals to hundreds of students every day. This is a hands‑on, leadership role where you’ll manage your team, maintain high standards, and ensure smooth, efficient service. Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
- Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals at high volume
- Planning menus, managing stock, and controlling budgets
- Ensuring all food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards are met
- Building strong relationships with onsite clients and stakeholders
- Overseeing the smooth running of service, from prep to finish
We’re looking for an experienced Chef Manager with a passion for high-volume catering and strong leadership skills.
- Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
- Proven ability to cook fresh, seasonal food at high volumes
- Strong people management and team leadership skills
- Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, and compliance
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- A proactive, hands‑on approach and pride in maintaining high standards
If you thrive in fast‑paced environments and enjoy leading teams to deliver great food, this could be the role for you.
What’s in it for you? We offer a fantastic work‑life balance:
- Daytime hours, no evenings or weekends
- All school holidays off
- Free meals on shift and uniform provided
Plus, you’ll benefit from:
- Ongoing training, development, and career progression opportunities
- Access to free qualifications
- Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
- Monthly team incentives with the chance to win shopping vouchers
This is your opportunity to lead a high-volume kitchen, develop your career, and make a real difference in students’ lives.
Next steps: If you think you’ve got what it takes, we’d love to hear from you! Please note: An interview, trade test and kitchen visit will be required as part of the recruitment process. IFG is committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS disclosure and children’s barred list check, which IFG will pay for. We are committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.
Chef Manager in Farnham employer: Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises work-life balance with daytime hours and all school holidays off. As a Chef Manager, you will have access to ongoing training and career progression opportunities, alongside unique benefits such as free meals on shift and monthly team incentives, all while making a meaningful impact on students' lives through high-quality, nutritious meals.
Contact Detail:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Farnham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Impact Food Group and their values. When you walk into that interview, show us you understand what we do and why it matters. It’ll make you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this is a hands-on role, be ready to showcase your culinary talents during the trade test. We want to see how you handle high-volume cooking and your ability to whip up fresh, seasonal meals under pressure.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership chops! Be prepared to discuss how you’ve motivated and developed your team in past roles. We’re looking for someone who can lead with confidence and keep the kitchen running smoothly, so share those success stories!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, we want to hear what you’re curious about. This shows us you’re engaged and serious about the position. Plus, it’s a great way to find out if we’re the right fit for you too!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Farnham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and high-quality meals shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission of providing nutritious food for students.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles.
Be Specific About Your Experience:We’re looking for someone with hands-on kitchen management experience. Be specific about your past roles, especially in high-volume catering or school environments, and mention any relevant achievements.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to review your application and get you on the path to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with the types of meals that Impact Food Group serves. Be ready to discuss how you would plan seasonal menus and cater to a high volume of students. Show your passion for fresh, nutritious food!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate and develop staff, as well as how you handle challenges in a fast-paced environment.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Standards
Brush up on food hygiene and safety regulations relevant to school catering. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen and maintain high standards of food safety.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you would build strong relationships with onsite clients and stakeholders. Prepare to share your strategies for effective communication and collaboration within a school setting.
