At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious meals and oversee menu changes in a vibrant school kitchen.
- Company: Join Lodestone House, a leader in educational catering with a passion for healthy eating.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, mental health support, career training, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Part-time role with opportunities for growth and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a difference in students' lives by serving nutritious food they love.
- Qualifications: Experience as a chef, a passion for food, and a Food Hygiene certificate required.
The predicted salary is between 27594 - 33726 £ per year.
About us
Part of Compass Group UK&I, Lodestone House is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Lodestone House has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Lodestone House 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.
About the role
We're currently recruiting a School Chef to join Lodestone House on a part time basis, contracted to 22.5 hours per week, working Monday to Friday, days. You'll create food people love, bringing your culinary skill, fresh ideas and a passion for great ingredients to every service. Please note: This role is contracted to 43.8 weeks per year.
What you'll do
- Preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our clients and customers
- Overseeing and implementing menu changes
- Listening and acting on customer feedback to keep improving our food
- Helping to create new menus and creative food concepts
- Monitoring stock to keep our kitchens well stocked
- Overseeing kitchen cleaning and complying with Food Hygiene and Health & Safety standards
What we offer
- Aviva Digicare - Free annual healthcare check
- Employee Assistance Programme - Mental health support, offering confidential advice and resources to help you navigate personal and professional challenges
- Perks at Work - Access to exclusive benefits and wellbeing resources
- Career training & development opportunities - Including Apprenticeships and Career Pathways
- Earn up to £500 when you refer a friend
- Comprehensive pension scheme and life assurance
About you
Our ideal School Chef will:
- Be passionate about great-tasting food and exceptional customer service
- Hold a City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or NVQ equivalent
- Have experience in a similar Chef role
- Be a strong team player with good communication skills
- Hold a Food Hygiene certificate
- Have a flexible approach to working
Lodestone House 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.
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 Chef employer: Compass Group
At Compass Group, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a full-time Food & Beverage Supervisor role at RAAF Amberley that combines leadership with a great work-life balance. Our supportive team culture fosters professional growth, with guaranteed pathways to management opportunities and a focus on employee development, all while providing high-quality service to the Defence community. Enjoy weekday-focused shifts, reduced hours during festive seasons, and a range of employee benefits that make working with us both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Chef
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Compass Group and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace School Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Compass Group that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Compass Group.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Compass Group get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Compass Group and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
