At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-volume kitchen, serving fresh meals to hundreds of 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 while developing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume catering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 38000 € 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.
School Location: St Michaels Catholic School, Watford, WD25
Working Days: Monday to Friday
Shifts & Working hours: 7am‑4:30pm (45 hours per week)
Working Weeks: 42 weeks per year (term time, inset days and 3 additional weeks)
Pay Details: £38,000 Annum
What will I be doing? 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.
What’s in it 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
- 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. 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 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.
Chef Manager in Watford 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 St Michaels Catholic School in Watford, you will enjoy free meals on shift, ongoing training and development opportunities, and the chance to lead a passionate team dedicated to providing nutritious meals that positively impact students' lives. With a strong commitment to employee growth and a supportive work culture, IFG stands out as a great place to build your career while making a meaningful difference.
Contact Detail:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Watford
✨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 is all about high-volume catering, be ready to showcase your culinary talents. Maybe even prepare a dish that reflects your style and passion for fresh, seasonal meals.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership chops! Be prepared to discuss how you've motivated and developed your team in past roles. Share specific examples of how you’ve handled challenges in a kitchen environment.
✨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 Watford
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 experience in managing and motivating others. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen or catering team in the past.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Detail your previous roles in high-volume catering environments, especially in schools if you have that experience. We’re looking for concrete examples of your ability to manage stock, budgets, and compliance standards.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates during the recruitment process.
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 high-volume cooking. This will show your passion for fresh 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 Chef Manager role.
✨Emphasise Compliance Knowledge
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 will reassure the interviewers that you prioritise safety and quality in your work.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don't just answer questions—engage with the interviewers. Ask them about their vision for the kitchen and how you can contribute to it. Building rapport will not only make you memorable but also show your enthusiasm for the role.
