At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create fresh, seasonal meals for students every day.
- Company: Join one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers.
- Benefits: Enjoy daytime hours, free meals, and opportunities for training and career growth.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with monthly team incentives and discounts at over 850 retailers.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's eating habits while enjoying a great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for food are essential.
The predicted salary is between 17002 - 17002 £ per year.
Impact Food Group (IFG) is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment. Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.
School Location: Adel Primary School, Leeds, LS16
Working Days: Monday to Friday
Shifts & Working hours: 8am-2pm (30 hours per week)
Working Weeks: 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days)
Pay Details: £17,002.20 per annum
What will I be doing? As a Cook Manager, you’ll lead a friendly kitchen team to deliver fresh, seasonal meals to students each day. This is a hands‑on management role, where you’ll oversee the kitchen, support your team, and ensure smooth service.
- Managing the day-to-day running of the kitchen
- Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
- Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals for the school
- Planning menus, managing stock, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene and safety standards
- Liaising directly with onsite clients and stakeholders
- Ensuring service runs smoothly and efficiently
What are we looking for? We’re looking for an experienced Cook/Chef Manager with strong leadership skills and a passion for food.
- Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
- Skilled in preparing fresh, seasonal food
- Strong people management and team leadership skills
- Good organisational and communication skills
- A proactive, hands‑on approach with pride in maintaining high standards
- Good understanding of food hygiene and safety regulations
What’s in it for you? This role offers an excellent work-life balance:
- Daytime hours, no evenings or weekends
- All school holidays off
- Free meal on shift and provided uniform
- Opportunities for training, development, and career progression
- Access to free qualifications
- Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
- Monthly team incentives, including chances to win shopping vouchers
You’ll also have the chance to help children explore healthy eating and build positive food habits that last a lifetime.
Next steps: If this sounds like the right role for you, we’d love to hear from you! Please note: An interview, trade test & kitchen visit will be required as part of the recruitment process. IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS disclosure and children’s barred list check, which IFG will pay 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 Manager in Horsforth employer: Impact Food Group
Impact Food Group (IFG) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment where you can thrive as a Cook Manager at Adel Primary School in Leeds. With a focus on work-life balance, you’ll enjoy daytime hours and all school holidays off, alongside opportunities for professional development and training. Join a passionate team dedicated to providing nutritious meals that foster healthy eating habits in children, while benefiting from perks like free meals on shift and monthly incentives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook Manager in Horsforth
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Impact Food Group and their values. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate – you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this is a hands-on role, be ready to showcase your culinary talents during the trade test. Prepare some seasonal dishes that reflect your style and passion for food.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership chops! Be prepared to discuss how you’ve motivated and developed teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve handled challenges in the kitchen and kept things running smoothly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the team, the school, or the menu planning process. This shows you’re engaged and thinking ahead about how you can fit in.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook Manager in Horsforth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your passion for preparing fresh, seasonal meals and how you can inspire students to enjoy healthy eating.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Cook Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated and developed teams in the past, especially in high-volume catering environments.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:We want to see your organisational skills in action! Mention any experience you have with menu planning, stock management, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene standards. Attention to detail is key!
Apply Through Our Website:Ready to take the next step? We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to get your details and for you to stay updated on your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with the types of meals that Impact Food Group serves. Be ready to discuss how you would plan menus that are not only nutritious but also appealing to students. Show your passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients and how you can incorporate them into your cooking.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Cook Manager, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership style during the interview. Share examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles. Highlight your ability to create a positive kitchen environment where everyone feels valued.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Make sure you’re up to speed on food hygiene and safety regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in the kitchen and how you train your team to maintain high standards. This will show that you take food safety seriously, which is vital in a school setting.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just answer questions; engage with your interviewers. Ask them about their vision for the kitchen at Adel Primary School and how you can contribute. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and your willingness to collaborate with others to achieve great results.
