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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our culinary team to prepare delicious meals and maintain high food standards.
- Company: Magdalen College School is a prestigious institution in Oxford, serving a vibrant community of students and staff.
- Benefits: Enjoy a Monday to Friday schedule, competitive pay, and opportunities for overtime.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that creates memorable dining experiences and supports special dietary needs.
- Qualifications: Experience in a school kitchen preferred; NVQ level 2 Food Production certificate required.
- Other info: Flexible shifts and the chance to work at exciting school events and functions.
Contract Options is proud to be partnering with Magdalen College School, one of Oxford's most prestigious institutions, to recruit a talented Chef de Partie. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic culinary team and play a key role in delivering exceptional dining experiences for students, staff, and visitors.
The shift will be Monday to Friday, from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm, with a 30-minute unpaid break. Any overtime will be paid at £20.44 per hour. You will also be required to work 7 weeks during the holidays, 4 hours per day, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Dimensions
- Magdalen College School is an Independent Day School serving breakfast and lunch. The school operates a traditional Monday to Friday calendar. MCS currently has 977 students and roughly 175 staff.
- We have a main dining hall serving roughly 700 lunches per day. We also have 2 retail outlets – a tuck shop and a coffee shop. The school does like to host, and we do boast a busy hospitality calendar. The school competes in sport with the larger independent boarding schools, as a result we host sport teas most Saturdays.
Duties
- Assist the Sous Chef as appropriate and where necessary to maintain high levels of food standards and presentation and overall effectiveness of the staff output laid down in the Service Level Agreement and to the menu specification bespoke to Magdalen College School.
- Assist and prepare all food with due care and attention, particularly regarding customers’ special dietary requirements: for example but not limited to, nut, dairy or wheat allergies.
- Aid and have an active input in maintaining the 3-week menu cycles in line with the Magdalen College School menu specification.
- Have a flexible approach and be able to cover all areas as detailed in rota incorporating breakfast and lunch services and when necessary provide theatre cooking in either one of our retail outlets.
- Work on a rota basis during some of the school holidays. This will be divided up fairly between the CDP team. Cook and serve lunch for a small group of support staff who work throughout the year.
- Assist and work school functions and outside hospitality as required, some of which may occur outside of normal working hours. Such functions will be shared between the chef brigade on a rota basis.
- Ensure that appropriate methods of cooking and presentation are used to maintain the highest standards of production and service.
- Assist with maintenance of goods received system to ensure statutory and quality standards are maintained.
- Promote and maintain a friendly working relationship with colleagues. A real team player.
Main Assignments
- Ensure that legal and company regulations regarding hygiene, health and safety are complied with.
- Undertake occasional duties outside the normal routine but within the scope of the department’s activities.
- Attend to any reasonable request.
- Promote a good company image to customers and guests and use positive customer service practices.
- Assist with the monitoring of production and wastage.
- Take full responsibility for the allocated section within the kitchen that you have been assigned including allergen sheets, ingredients lists and the completion of cleaning rotas as an example.
Qualifications
- Proven experience as a cook in a school/college is preferred.
- NVQ level 2 Food Production certificate or equivalent.
- A valid Enhanced DBS check (not older than 6 months).
- Intermediate Food Hygiene certificate.
- Strong level of literacy and numeracy.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to be an effective team player.
- Flexible, with the ability to work under pressure and across a range of shifts and service times.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Ability to set and maintain standards.
Desirable
- Ability to review problems analytically, develop opportunities and implement innovative solutions/approaches.
- Advanced Food Safety or Health and Safety qualification.
Join Magdalen School as a Chef de Partie, where your culinary skills will contribute to creating memorable dining experiences for our guests!
Chef de Partie needed at Magdalen College School, Oxford employer: Contract Options
Contact Detail:
Contract Options Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef de Partie needed at Magdalen College School, Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary requirements and menu specifications of Magdalen College School. Understanding their approach to food allergies and special diets will show your commitment to providing exceptional dining experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in a school or college kitchen during any informal conversations or networking opportunities. This can help you connect with current staff or others in the industry who may have insights into the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your flexibility and teamwork skills by discussing past experiences where you successfully adapted to changing kitchen environments or collaborated with colleagues to meet tight deadlines.
✨Tip Number 4
If possible, visit Magdalen College School or attend any open days to get a feel for the environment and culture. This will not only give you valuable insights but also show your genuine interest in the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef de Partie needed at Magdalen College School, Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in culinary roles, especially in school or college settings. Emphasise any specific skills related to food preparation, menu planning, and dietary requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and your ability to work in a team. Mention your understanding of the importance of high food standards and customer service in a school environment.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your qualifications such as NVQ level 2 Food Production certificate and Intermediate Food Hygiene certificate. If you have an Enhanced DBS check, mention it as well, as it's a requirement for the role.
Showcase Teamwork and Flexibility: In your application, provide examples of how you've worked effectively in a team and adapted to different shifts or service times. This will demonstrate your suitability for the dynamic environment at Magdalen College School.
How to prepare for a job interview at Contract Options
✨Showcase Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to discuss your previous cooking experiences and how they relate to the role. Bring examples of dishes you've created, especially those that cater to special dietary requirements, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Magdalen College School values a friendly working relationship among colleagues. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively in a team and contributed to a positive kitchen environment.
✨Understand the Menu and Standards
Familiarise yourself with the school's menu and their standards of food presentation. Showing that you have researched their culinary style will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Flexibility Questions
Since the role requires flexibility in shifts and duties, be ready to discuss your availability and how you handle working under pressure. Highlight any past experiences where you successfully adapted to changing circumstances.
