At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and cook nutritious meals for students while managing kitchen operations.
- Company: Join a leading hospitality recruitment agency with a focus on education and healthcare.
- Benefits: Earn from £16 per hour, enjoy flexible hours, and weekends off.
- Other info: Great opportunities for permanent placements and a chance to earn rewards through referrals.
- Why this job: Make a difference by providing healthy meals to children in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: DBS certificate required, plus 6 months of chef experience and food safety knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 33280 - 41600 £ per year.
Location: Reading
Pay Rate: From £16 per hour (dependent on experience and client requirements)
Job Type: Flexible / Temporary (with potential for permanent opportunities)
About the Role
Berkeley Scott, one of the UK's leading hospitality recruitment agencies, is currently recruiting an experienced and passionate School Chef to support a variety of clients within the Education and Healthcare sectors. This is an excellent opportunity for chefs seeking weekday work, work life balance, and the potential to secure long term or permanent placements in school kitchens.
What You'll Be Doing
- Preparing and cooking nutritious, balanced meals for students and staff
- Planning menus in line with school guidelines and dietary requirements
- Ensuring high standards of food hygiene, safety, and kitchen cleanliness
- Managing stock, ordering supplies, and minimising waste
- Supervising and supporting kitchen assistants during service
- Adhering to all food safety and health & safety regulations
What We're Looking For
- Enhanced DBS Certificate (Child Workforce) - essential
- Right to work in the UK
- Minimum 6 months' experience as a Chef (preferably in schools or similar environments)
- Level 2 Food Safety Certificate (or equivalent)
- Two employment references
- Strong reliability, organisation, and excellent timekeeping
- A passion for providing healthy meals for children and young people
What We Offer
- Competitive hourly pay from £16.00
- Flexible working to fit your availability
- Weekends off - ideal for work life balance
- Opportunities for overtime if desired
- The chance to work with a respected, nationwide agency
- Potential for permanent school chef placements
- Refer a friend scheme: Earn a £50 Amazon voucher after 10 shifts
Kellan Group (including all of our brands, Berkeley Scott, RK and Quantica) are committed to promoting equal opportunities to people regardless of age, gender, religion, belief, race, sexuality or disability. We operate as an employment agency and employment business.
School Chef employer: Job Search Place Limited
Berkeley Scott is an exceptional employer for School Chefs, offering competitive pay rates starting from £16 per hour and flexible working hours that promote a healthy work-life balance. With opportunities for permanent placements and a supportive work culture that values employee growth, you will be part of a team dedicated to providing nutritious meals in educational settings, all while enjoying weekends off and the chance to earn rewards through our referral scheme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, school staff, or even friends in the industry. You never know who might have a lead on a School Chef position that’s not advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, prepare a sample menu or dish that highlights your culinary talents. Bring it along to interviews or share photos online to catch the eye of potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be flexible with your availability. Since this role is temporary and flexible, showing that you can work various shifts will make you more appealing to recruiters and schools looking for immediate help.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can give you a better chance of landing that School Chef gig. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
We think you need these skills to ace School Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you to create nutritious meals for students. We want to see that you're not just a chef, but someone who genuinely cares about the food they serve.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to mention any previous experience you have in school kitchens or similar environments. We’re looking for chefs who understand the unique challenges of cooking for children and can manage a busy kitchen while keeping everything safe and hygienic.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into our system quickly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of meals you’ll be preparing. Research common dietary requirements in schools and be ready to discuss how you can cater to them. This shows your passion for providing healthy meals and your understanding of the role.
✨Show Off Your Hygiene Standards
Be prepared to talk about food safety and hygiene practices. Bring up your Level 2 Food Safety Certificate and any relevant experiences where you maintained high standards in the kitchen. This will demonstrate your commitment to safety and cleanliness.
✨Menu Planning Skills
Think about how you would plan a menu that meets school guidelines. Be ready to share examples of menus you've created in the past, especially those that catered to specific dietary needs. This will highlight your creativity and organisational skills.
✨Team Player Attitude
Since you'll be supervising kitchen assistants, emphasise your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you’ve successfully led a team or supported others in a busy kitchen environment. This will show that you can manage staff effectively while maintaining a positive atmosphere.
