At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and cook nutritious meals for children while managing kitchen staff.
- Company: Join a supportive team at Totally Local Company in Altrincham.
- Benefits: Earn £13.68 per hour, enjoy discounts, and access a Cycle to Work scheme.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for training and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's health and well-being through food.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in professional cookery or equivalent required.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 14 £ per hour.
Location: Altrincham, England, United Kingdom
Salary: £13.68 per hour
Hours: 20 hours per week, Mon–Fri 09:30–13:30
All school based roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check in line with the statutory guidance within "Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023". DBS results will be considered and risk assessed in partnership with the relevant school safeguarding lead.
Main Purpose of the Job
- To prepare and cook meals for children within agreed food and labour budgetary costs.
- To ensure compliance with food specification nutritional standards in accordance with relevant agreed set processes and procedures.
- To ensure all health and safety and food safety guidelines are strictly adhered to.
- To complete administrative procedure and paperwork to required standards.
- To supervise and organise catering staff under your jurisdiction.
- Order stock, plan, prepare, cook and serve food as directed by Totally Local Company for consumption on and off the premises.
- Responsible for receipt, temperature probing/recording and correct storage of all delivered goods.
- Stock rotation/control.
- Direct and supervise general catering assistants.
- Implement cleaning regimes for all kitchen equipment and associated activities.
- Record and document on cleaning schedules to comply with Totally Local Company HACCP policy.
- Induct all staff on site including agency staff on the correct use of equipment, kitchen techniques, health and safety, food safety, COSHH, manual handling and nutritional standards, following the "Task Talk" system.
- This includes refresher training as directed.
- Menu planning for theme days and promotional activities within the school in negotiation with area manager / food champions.
- Complete and process unit documentation.
- To undertake duties relevant to the work of the department and appropriate to the post.
- To liaise with head teachers, school personnel, client, contractors, suppliers, pupils and parents.
- Three days per year are designated deep clean or training days.
Duties and Responsibilities
- NVQ Level 2 in professional cookery or equivalent is essential.
- The supervision and coordination of staff employed in the kitchen.
- Responsible for the preparation, cooking and serving of meals for consumption both on and off the premises, including special diets.
- Responsible for ensuring all health and safety/standards are adhered to following company guidelines and standards.
- Responsible for clerical duties connected with:
- Food
- Equipment
- Training
- Cleaning
- Completion of unit paperwork to comply with the Totally Local Company audit standards/requirement.
- Facilitate training of new staff in the use of equipment, kitchen techniques and relevant aspects of health and safety in the kitchen environment.
- Responsible for the receipt and storage of all deliveries for the kitchen.
- Responsible for managing and recording of stock control.
- The provision of catering for special functions such as PTA events, theme days etc. as required.
- Responsible for and assisting with the serving of meals.
- Conform to menu guidelines including the government's food based and nutritional standards.
- To report equipment repairs and replacements following the correct procedures, for both heavy and light equipment.
- To ensure that the kitchen and dining areas are maintained to a clean/hygienic and safe condition.
- The preparation of the dining room for the consumption of meals (i.e. placement of furniture, checks for cleanliness and health and safety).
- To undertake such duties related to the work of the department, appropriate to the post as may be assigned.
- To liaise with Totally Local Company's personnel, head teachers, school personnel, contractors, suppliers, pupils and parents on a regular basis.
- To meet and maintain the approved standards for QAP, ISO 9001 2008, Environmental 14001:2004 and Investors in people.
- To ensure they promote the business in a positive manner at all times, becoming an ambassador for the service.
Lifestyle Benefits
- We provide access to huge discounts on a variety of retailers and services, through our lifestyle benefits website.
- Cycle to Work Scheme – enabling you to get the bike of your choice (between £100 and £1000), with Tax and NI savings of up to 32%.
- NEST Pension Scheme – 6.5% employer contribution if eligible.
Cook in charge - Acorns Ashley in Altrincham employer: Occupop
At Totally Local Company, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and professional growth. As a Cook in Charge at our Altrincham location, you will enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and access to lifestyle benefits, including discounts and a Cycle to Work Scheme, all while making a meaningful impact on children's nutrition and wellbeing. Join us in creating a positive dining experience for students while developing your culinary skills in a safe and compliant environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook in charge - Acorns Ashley in Altrincham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Totally Local Company and their values. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their mission and the kids they serve.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this role is all about preparing meals, be ready to discuss your culinary techniques and maybe even demonstrate them. Bring your A-game and show off your passion for cooking!
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can give you insider tips about the interview process and what it’s really like to work at Totally Local Company.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook in charge - Acorns Ashley in Altrincham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your cooking skills and experience. We want to see how you can prepare and cook meals that meet nutritional standards, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so use simple language to describe your past roles and responsibilities, especially around health and safety practices.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Cook in Charge. Mention any relevant experience supervising staff or managing kitchen operations, as this is key for us.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on board with our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Occupop
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with the types of meals you’ll be preparing and serving. Research nutritional standards and any dietary requirements that may be relevant to the children you'll be cooking for. This shows your commitment to providing healthy meals and understanding the role's responsibilities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Cook in Charge, you'll be supervising staff. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about times when you’ve trained new staff or managed kitchen operations efficiently. Highlighting these experiences will demonstrate your capability to manage and motivate a team.
✨Understand Health and Safety Regulations
Brush up on health and safety guidelines, especially those related to food preparation and kitchen hygiene. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance with these standards in your previous roles. This is crucial for maintaining a safe environment for both staff and children.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask during the interview. Inquire about their menu planning process or how they handle special dietary needs. This not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you insight into the company’s values and practices.
