At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team, prepare fresh meals, and ensure high standards.
- Company: Join one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers.
- Benefits: Enjoy daytime hours, free meals, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Great work-life balance with no evenings or weekends.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives with your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for cooking required.
The predicted salary is between 24053 - 24053 € 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 is based at St Johns C of E Academy, Wantage, OX12, working Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 3pm (35 hours per week) for 39 weeks per year (term time, inset days) with a pay of £24,053 per annum.
This is a fantastic opportunity to start at a new build school, initially catering for around 250 students. As a Chef Manager, you’ll take full responsibility for running the kitchen, serving fresh, seasonal meals to 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
- 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 cooking and strong leadership skills:
- Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or contract catering environments
- Proven ability to cook fresh, seasonal food for around 250+
- 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 Wantage employer: Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding opportunity for a Chef Manager at St Johns C of E Academy in Wantage. With a focus on work-life balance, you will enjoy daytime hours and all school holidays off, alongside free meals and uniform. The company prioritises employee growth through ongoing training and development, ensuring you can thrive in your career while making a meaningful impact on students' lives.
Contact Detail:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Wantage
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school and its values! Research St Johns C of E Academy and Impact Food Group. Understanding their mission will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the kitchen culture and what it’s really like to work there, which can give you an edge in your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your culinary skills! Be prepared for a trade test by practising your cooking techniques. Bring your A-game to demonstrate your ability to whip up fresh, seasonal meals that meet the high standards expected at IFG.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to take on the challenge of leading a busy kitchen.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Wantage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share specific examples of your experience with fresh, seasonal meals and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who truly cares about the quality of food served.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Chef Manager, you’ll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your people management skills. Talk about how you’ve motivated and developed your team in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others and maintain high standards in a busy kitchen environment.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:In your application, mention your experience with managing stock, budgets, and compliance standards. We appreciate candidates who are organised and can keep everything running smoothly. Show us that you can handle the pressures of a fast-paced kitchen while keeping everything in check!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Don’t forget to double-check your application for any typos or errors before hitting send!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with the types of meals that Impact Food Group serves. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients into your menu. This shows your passion for cooking and understanding of their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate and develop staff, as well as how you handle challenges in a fast-paced environment. This is crucial for a Chef Manager role.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Standards
Brush up on food hygiene and safety regulations relevant to school catering. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen operations, as this is a key responsibility of the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would build relationships with onsite clients and stakeholders. Prepare to share your strategies for effective communication and collaboration, which are essential for ensuring smooth service and satisfaction.
