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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and serve delicious meals in a vibrant college kitchen.
- Company: Join a welcoming college catering team in Huddersfield.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, term-time hours, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on students' lives through nutritious food.
- Qualifications: Experience in a fast-paced kitchen and Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment with great work-life balance.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 14 £ per hour.
Location: Huddersfield
Hours: 37 hours per week
Working Pattern: Term time only - 38 weeks per year
Contract: Permanent
Hourly Rate: £12.50 - £13.50 per hour (approx. £24,850 FTE, pro rata)
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Cook / Senior Catering Assistant to join a busy and welcoming college catering team in Huddersfield. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled cook or catering professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced kitchen environment while supporting young people and staff. Working closely with the Catering Supervisor, you will take a lead role in the kitchen, helping to deliver a high-quality, varied, and nutritious food offering that meets a wide range of dietary requirements and provides excellent value for money.
Responsibilities
- Prepare, cook, present, and serve hot and cold food to a high standard
- Support menu delivery, ensuring sufficient quantity, variety, and quality
- Accept deliveries, place orders, and manage stock via central catering stores
- Maintain clean, safe, and hygienic kitchen and refectory areas
- Ensure compliance with food hygiene, Health & Safety, and college policies
- Operate tills and handle payments in line with procedures
- Provide excellent customer service to students, staff, and visitors
- Work collaboratively as part of a catering team and support junior staff
Skills & Experience Required
- Proven experience as a Cook, Senior Catering Assistant, or Kitchen Assistant
- Experience working in a fast-paced kitchen and front-of-house catering role
- Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (essential)
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks
- Confident communication skills and a friendly, professional approach
- Ability to engage positively with young people and colleagues
Desirable
- Experience in education, school, or college catering
- Experience supporting or leading a small catering team
- Enhanced DBS check (required for working in an educational environment)
What’s on Offer
- Competitive hourly pay (£12.50 - £13.50 per hour)
- Term-time only working, supporting work-life balance
- Ongoing training, mentoring, and development opportunities
- Financial support for qualifications and skills development
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Retail and leisure discounts
- Reduced public transport travel costs
- Access to college pension scheme
Safeguarding Commitment
This role involves working in an educational environment. The successful candidate must be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
If you’re an experienced Cook or Catering Assistant looking for a stable, term-time role in Huddersfield with excellent benefits and development opportunities, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and be part of a team that values kindness, teamwork, and excellence.
Cook in Leeds employer: Manpower
Contact Detail:
Manpower Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the college's catering team! Reach out on social media or through networking events. Building a rapport can give you an edge when it comes to landing that cook role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you can, bring a sample of your cooking to the interview or share a portfolio of your best dishes. It’s a tasty way to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about your experience in fast-paced kitchens. They want to know how you handle pressure and keep things running smoothly, so have some examples up your sleeve.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate cooks like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Cook in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your previous cooking or catering experience in your application. We want to see how you've thrived in fast-paced kitchen environments and any specific skills that make you a great fit for our team.
Be Personable: Since you'll be working closely with students and staff, let your friendly and professional approach shine through in your written application. We love candidates who can engage positively with young people and colleagues!
Follow the Guidelines: Pay close attention to the job description and ensure your application aligns with the responsibilities and skills mentioned. This shows us that you’re detail-oriented and genuinely interested in the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manpower
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of dishes you might be preparing in this role. Research common dietary requirements and how to cater to them. This shows your passion for cooking and your commitment to providing nutritious meals.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous roles in catering or cooking. Highlight specific examples where you’ve worked in a fast-paced kitchen, managed stock, or led a team. This will demonstrate your capability and confidence in handling the responsibilities of the position.
✨Emphasise Teamwork
Since this role involves working closely with a team, share examples of how you've collaborated with others in the kitchen. Talk about how you support junior staff and contribute to a positive work environment, as this is key to success in a college setting.
✨Prepare for Customer Interaction
Expect questions about how you would handle customer service situations. Think of times when you provided excellent service or resolved issues with students or staff. This will show that you understand the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere in the catering environment.
