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 with great food.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume catering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36500 - 36500 £ 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 Hampton Gardens School, Peterborough, with working days from Monday to Friday, shifts from 7am-4.30pm (45 hours per week), and 42 weeks per year (term time, inset days and 3 additional weeks). The pay is £36,500 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.
- 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 Peterborough 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 Hampton Gardens 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 Details:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Peterborough
✨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 try out some recipes that reflect their menu style.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership chops! Be prepared to discuss how you’ve motivated and developed your team in past roles. They 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, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Peterborough
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 your enthusiasm for creating fresh, seasonal dishes that students will enjoy!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your experience in managing and motivating others. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen or catering team in the past.
Be Organised and Detailed:We appreciate a well-structured application! Make sure to include details about your experience with menu planning, stock management, and compliance with food safety standards. This shows us you’re ready for the responsibilities of the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you 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 opportunity to make a difference in students' lives!
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 expertise in high-volume catering.
✨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. This will demonstrate your strong people management skills and ability to maintain high standards.
✨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 operations. This knowledge will highlight your proactive approach and commitment to maintaining a safe environment.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, build rapport with your interviewers by asking questions about their current operations and challenges. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their success.
