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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious meals that brighten students' days and oversee menu changes.
- Company: Join Chartwells, the leading provider of school catering in the UK.
- Benefits: Part-time hours, career progression, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives through exceptional food experiences.
- Qualifications: Passion for food, experience in a similar role, and relevant qualifications.
- Other info: Be part of a team that values individuality and rewards hard work.
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 food that truly brightens our clients’ and customers’ days, all within the market‑leading food service company in the UK. You’ll get every opportunity to progress within a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate. This role is contracted to 44 weeks per year.
Your Key Responsibilities
- 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 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 helped those in education 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 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.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
School Chef employer: 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, do a bit of research on Chartwells and their values. This way, you can show them that you're not just another chef but someone who genuinely cares about creating exceptional food experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! If you get the chance, prepare a dish that showcases your creativity and passion for food. Bring it along to your interview or mention it during your chat – it’ll definitely make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about teamwork! As a School Chef, you'll be working with others, so think of examples where you've successfully led a team or collaborated with colleagues to improve food services. Share those stories!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace School Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for great-tasting food shine through! Share any experiences or stories that highlight your culinary skills and how you’ve delighted customers in the past.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in supervising teams and creating menus, to show us you’re the perfect fit for our School Chef position.
Be Clear About Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your qualifications like City & Guilds or NVQ certifications. We want to see that you have the right credentials to keep our kitchens running smoothly and safely!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and helps us get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Schools
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the key ingredients and dishes that Chartwells focuses on. Be ready to discuss your favourite recipes and how you can elevate the dining experience for students. Show your passion for great-tasting food!
✨Show Off Your Creativity
Prepare to share some innovative menu ideas or concepts you've implemented in previous roles. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can contribute to creating exceptional food experiences that delight customers.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since you'll be supervising a team, highlight your leadership skills and experience. Share examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team and fostered a positive working environment.
✨Understand Food Safety Standards
Brush up on your knowledge of food hygiene and safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in the kitchen and maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety.
