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- Tasks: Prepare and cook nutritious meals while managing kitchen operations and staff.
- Company: Join HCL, a leading educational caterer serving over 16 million meals annually.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible term-time working, uniform provided, and discounts on various services.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team creating healthy meals and fostering a positive environment.
- Qualifications: Previous catering experience and leadership skills are essential; food hygiene certification preferred.
- Other info: This role requires a DBS check and offers opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 16049 - 22469 £ per year.
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School Cook Manager Lanchester Road Primary 27½hpw, Watford
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Client:
Location:
Watford, United Kingdom
Job Category:
Other
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EU work permit required:
Yes
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Job Reference:
332dd0ca45e1
Job Views:
6
Posted:
12.08.2025
Expiry Date:
26.09.2025
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Job Description:
Term Time Only +3 Cleaning Days
Rate of Pay: £13.26 per hour (£16,049 per annum)
Schedule: 27.5 hours per week
Location: Watford
HCL is an established and successful educational specialist caterer, providing over 16 million meals each year across Primary, Secondary schools and the commercial sector. Our mission extends beyond simply providing meals; we are committed to crafting outstanding dining experiences that meet the diverse needs of our customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare, and cook nutritious meals, including special dietary options.
- Oversee kitchen operations, ensuring efficiency and high food standards.
- Manage stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships.
- Maintain and monitor budgets to control costs effectively.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health regulations.
- Supervise and train kitchen staff, fostering a positive team environment.
- Utilise IT systems for menu planning, ordering, and reporting.
- Engage with students and staff to promote healthy eating.
- Maintain cleanliness and maintenance of kitchen and dining areas.
- Previous experience in catering and leadership/management is essential
- Positive attitude with the ability to foster a collaborative and supportive team environment
- Food hygiene level 2 certification (preferred), with a strong understanding of food safety and hygiene protocols
- In-depth knowledge of health and safety regulations
- Exceptional timekeeping, reliability, and the ability to manage time effectively under pressure
- Strong organisational and multitasking skills
- Ability to adapt to changing
- Budgeting and cost control experience Passion for creating nutritious, balanced meals
We offer
- Recommend a Friend (Get rewarded up to £500 every time you introduce people to us)
- Term time flexible working (Christmas, Easter, Summer Holidays off)
- Uniform supplied
- Employee Assistance Program
- itrent Financial Wellbeing powered by Wagestream
- Reward and recognition scheme
- Opportunities for personal and professional development, with potential career growth within the company
- VIVUP a discount scheme for supermarkets, cinemas, retail, dining, hotels, and family activities.
Join HCL today and become part of a supportive and dynamic team where you truly will belong.
All posts are subject to a DBS check and the right to work in the UK. We are an equal opportunities employer (DBS cost covered by HCL)
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School Cook Manager Lanchester Road Primary 27½hpw employer: Hertfordshire Catering
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire Catering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Cook Manager Lanchester Road Primary 27½hpw
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary needs and preferences of the school community. Understanding the nutritional requirements and being able to discuss how you can cater to these will show your commitment to providing excellent service.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in managing kitchen operations and staff. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led a team, maintained high food standards, and managed budgets in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your knowledge of food safety and hygiene regulations. You might want to prepare to discuss specific protocols you've implemented in past positions to ensure compliance and maintain a safe kitchen environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with the school's ethos and values. Research Lanchester Road Primary and be ready to explain how your cooking philosophy aligns with their mission to promote healthy eating among students.
We think you need these skills to ace School Cook Manager Lanchester Road Primary 27½hpw
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and requirements for the School Cook Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in catering and management.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience in catering, kitchen management, or food safety. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage a kitchen effectively.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to include skills that are particularly relevant to this role, such as budgeting, stock control, and team leadership. Use examples to illustrate how you've successfully applied these skills in past positions.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your passion for creating nutritious meals and fostering a positive team environment. Personalise it to reflect your enthusiasm for the role at HCL.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire Catering
✨Showcase Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in preparing nutritious meals, especially for special dietary needs. You might even want to share examples of menus you've created or specific dishes you excel at.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Since the role involves managing kitchen staff, highlight your previous leadership roles. Share how you've successfully trained and supervised a team, fostering a positive work environment.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Make sure you are well-versed in food safety and hygiene protocols. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance with health regulations in your previous roles.
✨Discuss Budget Management
The role requires effective budget management, so be prepared to talk about your experience with stock control, ordering, and maintaining budgets. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed costs in the past.
