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, all school holidays off, and free meals on shift.
- Other info: Opportunities for training, development, and career progression available.
- 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 25000 - 25000 £ 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 involves leading 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.
- 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 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
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
Plus:
- Opportunities for training, development, and career progression
- Access to free qualifications
- Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
- 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. IFG is committed to safeguarding 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.
School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh, Seasonal Meals Mon-Fri in Woking employer: Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for those passionate about delivering high-quality meals to students. With a strong focus on work-life balance, employees enjoy daytime hours, all school holidays off, and opportunities for professional growth through training and development. Additionally, the chance to inspire children towards healthy eating habits makes this role not only rewarding but also impactful in shaping future generations.
Contact Details:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh, Seasonal Meals Mon-Fri in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and education sectors. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, prepare a sample menu or dish that highlights your ability to create fresh, seasonal meals. Bring it along to interviews to impress the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Follow up after your interview with a thank-you note. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for passionate Cook Managers like you. Plus, it’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace School Kitchen Manager: Lead Fresh, Seasonal Meals Mon-Fri in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking and fresh, seasonal meals shine through. We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our mission to provide great food for students.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Make sure to emphasise your experience in managing a kitchen team. We’re looking for someone who can motivate and develop their team, so share examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Organised and Clear:Keep your application well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to highlight your skills and experiences. We appreciate clarity and organisation, just like we do in our kitchens!
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 ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with fresh, seasonal ingredients and how they can be used in school meals. Be ready to discuss your favourite recipes and how you would incorporate these into the menu. This shows your passion for food and understanding of nutrition.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your approach to motivating staff and ensuring smooth service. This will demonstrate your strong people management skills, which are crucial for the role.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on food hygiene and safety standards relevant to school catering. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen. This knowledge is essential and will show that you take food safety seriously.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the school's catering philosophy or their approach to student wellbeing. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company aligns with your values.
