Cook

Cambridge Full-Time No home office possible
Impact Food Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Prepare delicious meals and snacks for students in a vibrant school environment.
  • Company: Join Impact Food Group, an award-winning catering service dedicated to quality food in education.
  • Benefits: Enjoy weekends off, school holidays, and discounts at over 850 retailers.
  • Why this job: Make a positive impact on students' attitudes towards food while developing your culinary skills.
  • Qualifications: No specific background required; just a passion for great food and service.
  • Other info: A trade test is needed, and we support your career growth with free qualifications.

Are you looking for that next step in your career? Impact Food Group is made up of 3 brands, Innovate, Cucina and Chapter One, specialising in providing an exceptional catering service to the education sector and are Catey award winning!

We are looking for people who are devoted to great service, fantastic food, and making a positive impact.

About the role:

  • School Location: Cottenham Village College, CB24
  • Working Days: Monday to Friday
  • Shifts & Working hours: 7am-3pm (37.5 hours per week)
  • Working Weeks: 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days)
  • Pay Details: £14.00 per hour

What will I be doing?

  • Assisting the onsite Chef Manager with the preparation of the main meals and snacks for the site
  • Working using fresh seasonal ingredients cooking for a volume of (200+)
  • May include some counter service / till work
  • Keeping the kitchen and restaurant areas in a clean and tidy state at all times.

We want awesome people to help us feed more children better food. We’re open to people from all industry backgrounds, and we pride ourselves on having restaurant-quality chefs in our secondary schools. We’re here to make good food, after all, that’s why our clients and customers love us!

So maybe you fancy having your weekends back, school holidays off, no more late nights and split shifts? We’ll give you a place to grow and a career to be proud of. Our chefs love building rapport with the students and helping them explore different cuisines, with us, you’ll be building the foundations of a positive attitude to food for life.

There are loads of free qualifications and career development opportunities to be had and we’ve got a staff discount scheme (at over 850 retailers!). If you think you’ve got what it takes, we’d love to hear from you!

A trade test will be required for this role. IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, which IFG supply the cost for.

We are a committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.

Cook employer: Impact Food Group

Impact Food Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises great service and fantastic food, particularly in the education sector. With a focus on work-life balance, our cooks enjoy weekends and school holidays off, alongside opportunities for career growth and free qualifications. Join us at Cottenham Village College to make a positive impact on students' attitudes towards food while working in a supportive and rewarding environment.
Impact Food Group

Contact Detail:

Impact Food Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Cook

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific catering needs of the education sector. Understanding how to prepare meals that are not only nutritious but also appealing to children can set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your ability to work with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Highlight any experience you have in creating menus or dishes that utilise local produce, as this aligns with the values of Impact Food Group.

✨Tip Number 3

Emphasise your teamwork skills and your ability to build rapport with students. Being able to connect with young people and make food fun is crucial in this role, so think of examples where you've done this before.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare for the trade test by practising your cooking skills under time constraints. This will help you demonstrate your efficiency and ability to handle volume cooking, which is essential for serving over 200 students.

We think you need these skills to ace Cook

Culinary Skills
Food Safety and Hygiene
Time Management
Teamwork
Customer Service
Adaptability
Knowledge of Seasonal Ingredients
Portion Control
Menu Planning
Communication Skills
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Creativity in Food Presentation
Basic Accounting for Till Work
Understanding of Dietary Requirements

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant cooking experience, especially in catering or educational settings. Emphasise any skills related to preparing meals for large groups and using fresh ingredients.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and working with children. Mention why you want to join Impact Food Group and how your values align with their mission of providing great food.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have any culinary qualifications or certifications, be sure to mention them. Also, include any experience with food safety and hygiene practices, as these are crucial in a school environment.

Prepare for the Trade Test: Since a trade test is required, practice your cooking skills ahead of time. Be ready to demonstrate your ability to prepare meals efficiently and creatively, showcasing your knowledge of seasonal ingredients.

How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group

✨Show Your Passion for Food

Make sure to express your love for cooking and how it translates into creating great meals. Talk about your experiences with fresh ingredients and how you enjoy experimenting with different cuisines.

✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills

Since you'll be assisting the onsite Chef Manager, highlight your ability to work well in a team. Share examples of how you've collaborated with others in previous roles to create a positive kitchen environment.

✨Prepare for the Trade Test

As a trade test is required for this role, practice your cooking skills ahead of time. Be ready to showcase your techniques and knowledge of food safety and hygiene during the interview.

✨Understand the Company’s Values

Research Impact Food Group and their commitment to providing exceptional catering services. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs, especially regarding making a positive impact on children's food experiences.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>