At a Glance
- Tasks: Supervise kitchen operations and support prisoners in catering activities.
- Company: Join Mitie, a leader in high-performing workplaces.
- Benefits: Pension, life insurance, and a supportive culture focused on development.
- Other info: Stable work environment with opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact through skills development and rehabilitation.
- Qualifications: Food Hygiene Certificate and experience in a catering environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Join Mitie – the future of high performing places.
Location: HMP Brixton
Contract: Full-time (39 hours per week)
At Mitie, our people are our greatest strength, and our promise is to create a place to work where you can thrive and be your best every day. We're looking for a Catering / Chef Supervisor to oversee catering operations within HMP Brixton, ensuring the safe, compliant, and high-quality delivery of food services. This role is key to maintaining catering standards while supporting and supervising a prisoner workforce. You will play an important part in delivering training, promoting rehabilitation through skills development, and ensuring all catering services meet operational, safety, and quality requirements.
Role Responsibilities:
- Supervise day-to-day kitchen operations, including food preparation, service delivery, and allocation of staff and prisoner resources.
- Lead, support, and monitor prisoners in catering activities, ensuring safety, engagement, and adherence to standards.
- Plan and develop menus, including special dietary requirements, ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance.
- Manage stock control, delivery checks, and kitchen resources to maintain efficient operations.
- Monitor hygiene, food safety, and kitchen standards across catering and residential areas, providing guidance and corrective action where required.
- Deliver training and assessments in catering and hospitality, supporting prisoners to achieve recognised qualifications (e.g. NVQ Level 1 & 2).
- Maintain accurate training records, learner plans, and assessment documentation in line with awarding body requirements.
- Support continuous improvement, equipment maintenance reporting, and catering delivery for events while ensuring compliance with all Health & Safety and regulatory standards.
Required Qualifications:
- Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2 or 3.
- Proven experience in a catering or kitchen environment.
- Ability to pass Prison Service vetting.
What we're looking for:
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage, support, and supervise individuals effectively.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks.
- Knowledge of health, safety, and hygiene regulations within a catering environment.
- Experience working to KPIs and SLAs within a structured environment.
- Basic IT skills to maintain accurate records and reporting.
- A supportive and resilient approach, with a commitment to high standards and rehabilitation outcomes.
Desirable:
- Experience in a supervisory or training role.
- Exposure to working within a secure or custodial environment.
- Experience delivering accredited training or vocational qualifications.
What's in it for you?
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact through skills development and rehabilitation.
- A stable and structured working environment with clear processes and standards.
- Pension and life insurance benefits.
- A supportive culture focused on development and continuous improvement.
Chef in Dartford employer: Mitie
At Mitie, we pride ourselves on being an employer that values our people and fosters a supportive work culture. As a Chef at HMP Brixton, you will not only enjoy a stable and structured environment but also have the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact through skills development and rehabilitation of individuals. With a focus on continuous improvement, employee growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits including pension and life insurance, Mitie is committed to helping you thrive in your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef in Dartford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, especially those who have experience in secure environments. They might know about opportunities at places like HMP Brixton or can give you insider tips on the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of health and safety regulations in catering. Be ready to discuss how you would manage a team, including supervising prisoners, and share examples from your past experiences that highlight your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for rehabilitation and skills development during interviews. Talk about how you can contribute to training and supporting individuals in a kitchen environment, and why that matters to you personally.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Chef role at Mitie. Highlight any relevant catering experience, especially in supervisory positions, and don’t forget to mention your Food Hygiene Certificate!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about catering and how your background makes you a great fit for overseeing operations at HMP Brixton. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since strong communication is key in this role, make sure to demonstrate your ability to engage and support others in your application. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or trained individuals in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mitie
✨Know Your Catering Standards
Familiarise yourself with the specific catering standards and regulations that apply to a secure environment. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure compliance with health and safety regulations while maintaining high-quality food services.
✨Showcase Your Supervisory Skills
Prepare examples of your experience in supervising teams, especially in a kitchen setting. Highlight how you've engaged and supported staff or trainees in the past, as this role involves leading a prisoner workforce.
✨Demonstrate Menu Planning Knowledge
Be prepared to talk about your approach to menu planning, particularly for special dietary requirements. Think of examples where you've created menus that are both compliant and appealing, showcasing your creativity and attention to detail.
✨Emphasise Communication and Training Abilities
Since this role involves delivering training and assessments, be ready to discuss your communication style and any previous training experiences. Share how you’ve successfully helped others achieve qualifications, as this will show your commitment to rehabilitation and skills development.
