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.
- 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 impact on students' wellbeing through delicious, nutritious food.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for cooking required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ 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.
The role…
School Location: Adel Primary School, Leeds, LS16
Working Days: Monday to Friday
Shifts & Working hours: 8am-2pm (30 hours per week)
Working Weeks: 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days)
What will I be doing?
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.
Your responsibilities will include:
- 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 not in the business of making school food—we’re here to make great food, and that’s why our customers love us.
What are we looking for?
- 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
If you’re enthusiastic about cooking and leading a team to deliver quality food, we want to hear from you.
What’s in it for you?
- 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
- 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.
Next steps
We’re committed to safeguarding children. 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 Leeds employer: Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding work-life balance with daytime hours and all school holidays off, making it ideal for those seeking a fulfilling career in school catering. As a Cook Manager at Adel Primary School in Leeds, you will lead a passionate team dedicated to providing nutritious meals, while enjoying benefits such as free meals on shift, uniform provision, and opportunities for professional development and career progression. Join us in shaping positive food habits for children and experience a supportive work culture that values your contributions.
Contact Details:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook Manager in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Impact Food Group and their values. When you walk into that interview, show us you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about making great food for students.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've successfully managed a team or handled a kitchen crisis. We want to see how you motivate and inspire others, so be ready to share those stories.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your culinary creativity! Be prepared to discuss your approach to menu planning and how you incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients. We love candidates who can bring new ideas to the table!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! This is your chance to find out more about the role and the team. Show us you’re engaged and interested in how you can contribute to making school meals amazing.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook Manager in Leeds
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 emphasise 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 written application should reflect your organisational skills. Keep it clear and concise, and make sure to address all the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company there!
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 shows your passion for food and your ability to plan menus effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. Highlighting your people management skills will demonstrate that you're ready to take on the Cook Manager role.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Be ready to discuss your understanding of food hygiene and safety regulations. You might be asked about specific practices you implement in the kitchen to ensure compliance. Showing that you prioritise safety will reassure them that you can maintain high standards in their kitchens.
✨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 Cook Manager role contributing to that. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.
