At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-volume kitchen, serving fresh meals to students daily.
- Company: Join one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers.
- Benefits: Enjoy daytime hours, free meals, and all school holidays off.
- Other info: Ongoing training and career progression opportunities available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume catering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 38000 £ 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.
The role involves taking full responsibility for running a high-volume kitchen, serving fresh, seasonal meals to hundreds of students every day. This is a hands-on, leadership role where you’ll manage your team, maintain high standards, and ensure smooth, efficient service.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
- Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals at high volume
- Planning menus, managing stock, and controlling budgets
- Ensuring all food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards are met
- Building strong relationships with onsite clients and stakeholders
- Overseeing the smooth running of service, from prep to finish
We’re looking for an experienced Chef Manager with a passion for high-volume catering and strong leadership skills:
- Previous experience managing a kitchen, ideally in schools or high-volume catering environments
- Proven ability to cook fresh, seasonal food at high volumes
- Strong people management and team leadership skills
- Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, and compliance
- Excellent organisational and communication skills
- A proactive, hands-on approach and pride in maintaining high standards
If you thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy leading teams to deliver great food, this could be the role for you.
We offer a fantastic work-life balance:
- Daytime hours, no evenings or weekends
- All school holidays off
- Free meals on shift and uniform provided
Plus, you’ll benefit from:
- Ongoing training, development, and career progression opportunities
- Access to free qualifications
- Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
- Monthly team incentives with the chance to win shopping vouchers
This is your opportunity to lead a high-volume kitchen, develop your career, and make a real difference in students’ lives.
Please note: An interview, trade test and 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.
Locations
Chef Manager in London, Waterloo employer: Impact Food Group
Contact Detail:
Impact Food Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in London, Waterloo
✨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 but someone who genuinely cares about making great food for students.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this role involves a trade test, make sure you’re ready to whip up some fresh, seasonal meals under pressure. Maybe even invite a friend over for a mini cook-off to get in the zone!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership style! Be prepared to discuss how you’ve motivated and developed your team in past roles. Share specific examples of how you’ve tackled challenges and kept morale high in a busy kitchen.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you note to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that shows you’re keen and professional, and it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in London, Waterloo
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for cooking and high-volume catering shine through. Share specific examples of how you've created delicious meals in the past and how you can bring that passion to our kitchen.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your experience in managing and motivating others. Talk about how you've developed your team in previous roles and how you plan to do the same with us.
Be Organised and Detailed: We appreciate a well-structured application! Make sure to include details about your experience with menu planning, stock management, and compliance. This shows us you're ready to handle the responsibilities of the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to research and think about seasonal ingredients and how they can be incorporated into school meals. Be ready to discuss your ideas for menus that are not only nutritious but also appealing to students.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your ability to manage and inspire others.
✨Understand Compliance Standards
Brush up on food hygiene and safety regulations relevant to school catering. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen and how you handle any issues that may arise.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, make sure to ask questions about the school's values and how they align with your own. Showing genuine interest in their mission to provide great food for students will set you apart as a candidate who truly cares.