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 all school holidays off and monthly team incentives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives through nutritious and delicious food.
- 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 leading 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.
School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh, Seasonal Meals Mon-Fri in Godalming 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. Employees benefit from free meals during shifts, opportunities for professional development, and a chance to make a meaningful impact on children's health through nutritious food. With a commitment to employee growth and a friendly team environment, IFG stands out as a rewarding place to work in the school catering sector.
Contact Details:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh, Seasonal Meals Mon-Fri in Godalming
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the school catering sector or join relevant groups online. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to kitchen management and food safety. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for fresh, seasonal meals during interviews. Share your ideas on menu planning and how you can lead a team to create exciting dishes that students will love!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission to make great school food.
We think you need these skills to ace School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh, Seasonal Meals Mon-Fri in Godalming
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and fresh, seasonal meals shine through. We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our mission to provide great food for students.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Cook Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your previous experience in managing kitchens or teams. We’re looking for someone who can motivate and develop others, so share specific examples!
Be Organised and Clear:Keep your application well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to highlight your skills and experiences. We appreciate clarity, and it shows us you’re organised—just like we need in the kitchen!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with fresh, seasonal ingredients and how they can be used in school meals. Be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you would incorporate these ingredients into the menu. This shows your passion for food and understanding of nutrition.
✨Lead with Confidence
As a Cook Manager, leadership is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about challenges you've faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your strong people management skills.
✨Safety First
Brush up on food hygiene and safety regulations before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in the kitchen and share any relevant experiences. This will highlight your proactive approach to maintaining high standards.
✨Engage with the Audience
Remember, you'll be liaising with clients and stakeholders. Practice how you would communicate effectively with different audiences. Show your enthusiasm for helping children develop healthy eating habits, as this aligns with the company's mission and values.
