At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-volume kitchen, serving fresh meals to students daily.
- Company: Impact Food Group, a top school food provider in England.
- Benefits: Daytime hours, free meals, ongoing training, and career progression.
- Other info: Enjoy a 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 32500 - 32500 € 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 is based at Wolgarston High School, Penkridge, ST19. Working days are Monday to Friday with shifts from 6.30am to 3.30pm (45 hours per week) for 42 weeks per year (term time, inset days and 3 additional weeks). The pay is £32,500 per annum.
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.
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, and 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.
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 are 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 Penkridge 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 Chef Manager at Wolgarston High School, you will not only lead a passionate team in delivering high-quality meals to students but also benefit from ongoing training, career progression opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values your contributions. With free meals on shift, uniform provided, and monthly incentives, IFG is dedicated to fostering a positive environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
Contact Detail:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Penkridge
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Impact Food Group and their values. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about making great food for students.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this role involves a trade test, make sure you’re ready to whip up some fresh, seasonal meals under pressure. Maybe even invite a friend over for a mini cook-off to get in the zone!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership chops! Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve motivated and developed your team in past roles. We want to see that you can lead a high-volume kitchen with confidence and flair.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the IFG family and making a difference in students’ lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Penkridge
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 people management 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 experience, especially in high-volume settings. Be clear about your past roles, the environments you’ve worked in, and the types of meals you’ve prepared.
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 get the ball rolling on your journey with Impact Food Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to research and think about seasonal ingredients and menu ideas that would resonate with students. Being able to discuss your vision for fresh, nutritious meals will show your passion and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a high-pressure kitchen environment. Highlight specific instances where you motivated your team or improved service efficiency, as this is crucial for the Chef Manager position.
✨Understand Compliance Standards
Brush up on food hygiene and safety regulations relevant to school catering. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen, as this will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don’t just answer questions—engage with your interviewers. Ask them about their current challenges in the kitchen or how they envision the future of school meals. This shows your interest in the role and helps build rapport.
