At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare delicious meals, oversee menu changes, and manage kitchen operations.
- Company: Chartwells is a leading provider of catering services in the education sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible shifts, full training, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven company that promotes healthy eating for students and values diversity.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking, team supervision, and food hygiene is preferred.
- Other info: This role requires a DBS check due to working with children.
Here’s an idea of what your shift patterns will be: 5 out of 7 days. Please note: This role is contracted to 43 weeks per year.
Could you bring your spark to Chartwells? Here’s what you need to know before applying:
- Preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our clients and customers.
- Overseeing and implementing menu changes.
- Supervising our culinary and catering teams to ensure we continue to deliver impeccable food and customer service.
- Overseeing the efficiency of all in-unit catering operations, including managing inventories, monitoring budgets, and implementing action plans.
- Identifying opportunities to improve our food services.
- Listening and acting on customer feedback to consistently improve our food services.
- Liaising between customers and our culinary and service teams to ensure we continue to exceed expectations.
- Representing Chartwells and maintaining a positive brand image.
- Supporting and training our teams, leading from the front to make sure everyone can excel in their role.
- Monitoring inventories and ordering goods to keep our kitchens well-stocked.
- Overseeing kitchen cleaning responsibilities to maintain hygiene standards.
- Implementing and reviewing Health & Safety standards to ensure compliance across all catering and service teams.
- Complying with Food Handling, Hygiene and Health and Safety regulations in line with HACCP.
Our ideal Cook will:
- Be passionate about great-tasting food and exceptional customer service.
- Have experience supervising a team.
- Have experience in food hygiene and allergens.
- Have experience in a similar cook role.
- Have a flexible approach to working.
Full training will be provided.
Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all employees to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children’s Barred List check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive because diversity is our strength!
School Cook - Ealing employer: Chartwells Independent
Contact Detail:
Chartwells Independent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Cook - Ealing
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Chartwells' values and mission. Understanding their commitment to providing nutritious meals and exceptional service will help you align your passion for food with their goals during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your supervisory experience in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led a team, managed kitchen operations, or improved food services, as this will demonstrate your capability to excel in the School Cook position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations. Since compliance is crucial in this role, being able to articulate your understanding of HACCP and other relevant standards will show that you're a responsible candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to showcase your flexibility and adaptability. Given the dynamic nature of catering in schools, sharing instances where you've successfully adapted to changing circumstances or customer feedback will highlight your suitability for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace School Cook - Ealing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read through the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and requirements. Highlight your relevant experience in food preparation, team supervision, and customer service.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your experience in similar roles, particularly focusing on your culinary skills, team management, and adherence to health and safety standards. Use specific examples to demonstrate your achievements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and customer service. Mention how your values align with Chartwells' commitment to quality and safeguarding children, and express your enthusiasm for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, double-check your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a kitchen environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking and providing exceptional customer service. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your love for food and how it drives you in your work.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership Skills
Since the role involves supervising a team, be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences. Highlight how you've successfully managed teams, resolved conflicts, and motivated others to excel in their roles.
✨Know Your Health & Safety Regulations
Familiarise yourself with food hygiene, allergens, and health and safety standards relevant to the catering industry. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen and how you handle food safely.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle specific situations, such as customer complaints or menu changes. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated similar challenges.