School Chef

School Chef

Southampton Full-Time No home office possible
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Chartwells Schools

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Create delicious meals that brighten students' days and oversee menu changes.
  • Company: Join Chartwells, a leading food service provider in the education sector.
  • Benefits: Part-time hours, career progression, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for creativity and innovation in the kitchen.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives through exceptional food experiences.
  • Qualifications: Passion for food, supervisory experience, and relevant culinary qualifications.

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

We’re currently recruiting an ambitious Chef to help us create exceptional food experiences for Chartwells on a part‑time basis contracted to 32.5 hours per week. As a Chef, you will be responsible for preparing and serving the kind of food that truly brightens our clients’ and customers’ days, all within the market‑leading food service company in the UK.

You’ll be given every opportunity to progress within a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate.

Shift pattern

  • Mon: Full‑time (Days)
  • Tues: Full‑time (Days)
  • Weds: Full‑time (Days)
  • Thurs: Full‑time (Days)
  • Fri: Full‑time (Days)
  • Sat:
  • Sun:

This role is contracted to 44 weeks per year.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include

  • Preparing delicious, high‑quality food that delights our clients and customers
  • Overseeing and implementing menu changes
  • Identifying opportunities to improve our food services
  • Listening and acting on customer feedback to consistently improve our food services
  • Supporting with the creation of new menus and creative food concepts
  • Representing Chartwells and maintaining a positive brand image
  • Monitoring inventories to keep our kitchens well‑stocked
  • Overseeing kitchen cleaning responsibilities to maintain hygiene standards
  • Complying with Food Handling, Hygiene and Health and Safety regulations

Our Ideal Chef Will

  • Be passionate about great‑tasting food and exceptional customer service
  • Hold a City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or NVQ equivalent
  • Have experience supervising a team
  • Have experience in a similar Chef role
  • Hold a Food Hygiene certificate
  • Have a flexible approach to working

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect 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.

Job Reference: com/2711/40917001/52684721/R/WJ #State Schools

Seniority level

Entry level

Employment type

Part‑time

Job function

Management and Manufacturing

Industries

Food and Beverage Services

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School Chef employer: Chartwells Schools

Chartwells Schools is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its employees, offering a supportive work culture where individuality is celebrated. As a part-time School Chef in Southampton, you will have the opportunity to create delightful food experiences while benefiting from a company that invests in your professional development and recognises hard work. With a commitment to safeguarding children and providing nutritious meals, Chartwells fosters a rewarding environment for those passionate about food and service.
Chartwells Schools

Contact Detail:

Chartwells Schools Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land School Chef

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company! Before your interview, check out Chartwells' values and mission. This way, you can show how your passion for great food aligns with their commitment to exceptional service.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to your culinary skills and customer service experience. We want you to feel confident and ready to impress!

✨Tip Number 3

Bring your A-game to the interview! Dress smartly and be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in detail. Show them how you’ve created delicious meals and improved services in past roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you note expressing your enthusiasm for the role. It’s a great way to keep you on their radar and show your genuine interest.

We think you need these skills to ace School Chef

Food Preparation
Menu Development
Customer Service
Team Supervision
Food Hygiene
Health and Safety Compliance
Inventory Management
Creativity in Food Concepts
Attention to Detail
Communication Skills
Flexibility in Working Hours
Passion for Culinary Arts

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for cooking and creating delicious meals shine through. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who genuinely cares about making food that brings joy to others.

Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to mention any previous roles where you’ve supervised a team or created menus. We’re looking for someone with experience, so don’t be shy about showcasing your culinary journey!

Be Personable and Authentic: We value individuality at StudySmarter, so let your personality come through in your application. Share a bit about yourself and what makes you unique as a chef – we want to know the real you!

Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your application and get you one step closer to joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Schools

✨Know Your Ingredients

Familiarise yourself with the types of food and ingredients that Chartwells uses. Be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you can elevate their menu. Showing passion for great-tasting food will definitely impress!

✨Show Off Your Creativity

Prepare to share some of your own creative food concepts or menu ideas. Think about how you can incorporate seasonal ingredients or cater to dietary needs. This will demonstrate your ability to innovate and adapt in a kitchen environment.

✨Customer Service is Key

Be prepared to talk about your experience with customer feedback. Share examples of how you've listened to customers and made changes based on their suggestions. This shows that you value their opinions and are committed to improving the dining experience.

✨Hygiene Matters

Brush up on your knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations. Be ready to discuss how you maintain cleanliness in the kitchen and ensure food safety. This is crucial in any chef role, especially when working with children.

School Chef
Chartwells Schools
Location: Southampton
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