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- Tasks: Lead our school kitchen, serving healthy and tasty meals to students and staff.
- Company: Join a vibrant school community dedicated to nutritious food.
- Benefits: Term-time only role with training opportunities and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives through healthy eating.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering and a passion for food hygiene and safety.
- Other info: Collaborative team atmosphere with opportunities for growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
We are currently looking to recruit a dedicated Catering Manager to lead our school kitchen, ensuring that students and staff are served healthy, balanced, and tasty meals every day. You will oversee menu design, food preparation, manage stock and budgets, ensure compliance with health and safety standards, and inspire a team of kitchen staff to deliver exceptional service.
The ideal candidate will have experience of leading and motivating a catering team to ensure high quality food services across the school day. You should have an understanding of DfE meal guidelines, food hygiene (ideally holding at least a Level 2 certificate but not essential as training will be given) and health and safety regulations.
Purpose of the Role
To prepare, cook and serve nutritious, balanced meals for pupils and staff in accordance with National School Food Standards and school policies. The role includes managing kitchen operations, maintaining high standards of food hygiene and safety, and ensuring that all children receive healthy and appealing meals.
Key Responsibilities
- Food Preparation and Cooking
- Prepare and cook meals for pupils and staff, following agreed menus and nutritional standards.
- Adapt menus to meet special dietary needs and allergies as required.
- Ensure meals are cooked and served at the correct temperature and presentation standard.
- Plan and develop menus in collaboration with school leadership or business manager.
- Monitor food supplies and order stock to maintain appropriate levels and minimise waste.
- Work within budgetary constraints and help achieve cost targets.
- Hygiene, Safety & Compliance
- Maintain kitchen cleanliness and comply with Health & Safety and food hygiene regulations.
- Ensure safe storage of food and safe use of kitchen equipment.
- Complete records and documentation as required (e.g. food temperatures, cleaning logs).
- Service & Customer Care
- Serve meals courteously to pupils and staff, encouraging healthy choices.
- Address queries from staff or parents about menus and ingredients where needed.
- Support special events or functions where catering is required.
- Teamwork
- Work collaboratively with kitchen assistants and other support staff (if any).
- Attend relevant meetings or training to improve kitchen operations and food quality.
Person Specification
- Experience in food preparation and cooking, ideally in catering or large-scale kitchen environments.
- Good understanding of food hygiene and safety (Level 2 Food Hygiene certification desirable).
- Ability to work independently, organise workload and meet deadlines.
- Good communication skills and a positive attitude to working with children and staff.
- Previous experience in a school or educational setting.
- Supervisory experience or willingness to manage kitchen assistants.
Terms
Term-time only (with possible training days as required).
Catering Manager in Folkestone employer: Kent Tech
Contact Detail:
Kent Tech Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Manager in Folkestone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry or school environments. You never know who might have a lead on a Catering Manager position or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you have experience in menu design or managing kitchen operations, be ready to discuss specific examples during interviews. We want to hear how you've inspired teams and maintained high standards.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Brush up on DfE meal guidelines and food hygiene regulations. Being knowledgeable will show that you're serious about the role and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Manager in Folkestone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let us see your love for cooking and providing healthy meals. Share any experiences that highlight your dedication to nutritious food and how you’ve inspired others in a kitchen setting.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to align your past experiences with the responsibilities listed in the job description. If you've managed a team or worked within budget constraints, give us the details! We want to know how your background fits our needs.
Highlight Compliance Knowledge: Since health and safety are crucial in this role, mention any relevant certifications or training you have. If you’re familiar with DfE meal guidelines or food hygiene standards, make it clear in your application!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we appreciate a friendly tone, ensure your application remains professional. Share a bit about your personality and how you work with kids and staff, but keep it focused on your skills and experiences. Don’t forget to apply through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kent Tech
✨Know Your Menus
Before the interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with current school meal guidelines and nutritional standards. Be ready to discuss how you would adapt menus for special dietary needs or allergies, as this shows your understanding of the role and your commitment to student health.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a catering team in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to deliver high-quality service. This will demonstrate your ability to inspire and manage staff effectively.
✨Understand Health & Safety Regulations
Brush up on food hygiene and safety regulations relevant to school kitchens. Even if you don’t have a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate yet, showing that you’re proactive about learning and compliance will impress your interviewers.
✨Engage with Customer Care
Be prepared to discuss how you would handle queries from staff or parents regarding menus and ingredients. Highlight your communication skills and positive attitude towards working with children and staff, as this is crucial for creating a welcoming kitchen environment.
