At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create fresh, seasonal meals for students every day.
- Company: Join one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, Impact Food Group.
- Benefits: Enjoy daytime hours, free meals, and opportunities for training and career growth.
- Other info: Work-life balance with no evenings or weekends, plus monthly team incentives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by promoting healthy eating habits.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for cooking are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 25000 £ 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.
The role involves working at St Thomas of Canterbury, GU1 2SX, Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 3pm (35 hours per week) for 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days) with a pay of £25,000 per annum.
As a Cook Manager, you’ll lead a friendly kitchen team to deliver fresh, seasonal meals to students each day. This is a hands-on management role, where you’ll oversee the kitchen, support your team, and ensure smooth service:
- Managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen
- Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
- Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals for the school
- Planning menus, managing stock, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene and safety standards
- Liaising directly with onsite clients and stakeholders
- Ensuring service runs smoothly and efficiently
We’re looking for an experienced Cook/Chef Manager with strong leadership skills and a passion for food:
- Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
- Skilled in preparing fresh, seasonal food
- Strong people management and team leadership skills
- Good organisational and communication skills
- A proactive, hands-on approach with pride in maintaining high standards
- Good understanding of food hygiene and safety regulations
This role offers an excellent work-life balance:
- Daytime hours, no evenings or weekends
- All school holidays off
- Free meal on shift and provided uniform
- Opportunities for training, development, and career progression
- Access to free qualifications
- Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
- Monthly team incentives, including chances to win shopping vouchers
You’ll also have the chance to help children explore healthy eating and build positive food habits that last a lifetime. IFG is committed to safeguarding 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 a 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.
Cook Manager in Godalming employer: Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Cook Managers at St Thomas of Canterbury. With a focus on work-life balance, employees enjoy daytime hours, school holidays off, and opportunities for professional growth through training and development. Additionally, the company fosters a culture of teamwork and community, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on students' health and wellbeing while enjoying benefits like free meals and staff discounts.
Contact Details:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook Manager in Godalming
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in school food services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demonstration. This gives you the opportunity to showcase your culinary talents and leadership style directly to the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for the interview! Research Impact Food Group and their approach to school meals. Bring ideas for seasonal menus or ways to improve kitchen efficiency—this shows you're proactive and passionate about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at IFG and making a difference in students' lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook Manager in Godalming
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your experiences with fresh, seasonal meals and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles. We want to see that you’re not just about the job, but about creating great food.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Cook Manager, you’ll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you’ve motivated and developed your team in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others, so don’t hold back!
Be Organised and Clear:Your application should reflect your organisational skills. Keep it clear and concise, and make sure to address all the key points from the job description. We appreciate a well-structured application that shows you can manage tasks effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy—just follow the prompts and you’ll be on your way to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to research and understand the types of meals that Impact Food Group serves. Familiarise yourself with seasonal ingredients and how they can be incorporated into school meals. This will show your passion for food and your ability to create nutritious options for students.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Cook Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed a kitchen or motivated a team. Highlight your communication skills and how you ensure everyone works together smoothly during service.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on food hygiene and safety standards relevant to school catering. Be ready to discuss how you implement these regulations in your kitchen. This knowledge is crucial for ensuring the wellbeing of students and maintaining high standards in food preparation.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don't just answer questions—engage with your interviewers. Ask them about their vision for the kitchen and how they see the role of a Cook Manager contributing to that. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and your willingness to be part of their team.
