At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and serve delicious meals for students while keeping the kitchen running smoothly.
- Company: Olive Dining, a school catering company dedicated to fresh, nutritious meals.
- Benefits: Family-friendly hours, weekends off, free meals, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team culture with opportunities for growth and creativity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a school community while enjoying work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in the kitchen and a food safety certificate preferred.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Who We Are
At Olive Dining, we believe great food brings people together — and there’s no better place to do that than in schools, where young minds are growing every day. We’re a dedicated school catering company serving fresh, nutritious meals to students across London, Kent, Surrey, and Essex. Now, we’re on the lookout for a Chef to help us create delicious dishes and keep our kitchen running smoothly — with plenty of smiles along the way in the kitchen. If you’re passionate about food, love working in a team, and thrive in a fast-paced environment with purpose, this could be the perfect role for you.
Why You’ll Love Working With Us
- Family-Friendly Hours: Term time only, so you can enjoy school holidays too!
- Weekends Off: Yes, really.
- Supportive Team Culture: You’re never just a number here.
- Free Meals on Duty: Because Chefs should never work hungry.
- Wellbeing First: Access to an Employee Assistance Programme including free CBT, health, and financial support.
- Room to Grow: We believe in promoting from within and helping our people thrive.
Your Day-to-Day
As our Sous Chef, you’ll work closely with the Head Chef/ Chef Manager to prepare, cook, and serve meals that students and staff will love. You’ll be part chef, part team player, and part mealtime hero — stepping in wherever you’re needed to keep service running like clockwork. You’ll be working alongside the Chef Manager crafting delicious, balanced, and nutritious meals for the students and staff. From pizzas to pasta, healthy salads to hearty stews, your creations will fuel the next generation. You’ll be working alongside your Chef Manager, Catering Assistants, and school Staff to ensure every meal is prepped, cooked, displayed and served in line with Olive Dining Standards and with a smile (and a dash of flair).
Supporting the Chef Manager in managing the kitchen during busy service times to ensure service runs smoothly. You’ll ensure all dishes meet our high standards for taste, presentation, and nutrition—because the future leaders of tomorrow deserve the best! The school day may be full of energy (and a few crumbs), but you’ll keep the kitchen running smoothly, making sure we never run out of stock! Helping to set up, serve, and clear down after meals ensuring our customers have the best experience. Maintaining a clean, tidy, and safe kitchen environment. Leading and motivating the kitchen team, making sure everyone knows their tasks and works together. And the completion of any other reasonable requests given by your Line Manager.
What You’ll Need
- Experience in the kitchen is a must – whether it’s in schools, restaurants, or catering, we want someone who’s ready to jump in and get cooking.
- A food safety certificate or equivalent – we want to keep everything safe, healthy, and tasty.
- A good understanding of food hygiene and safety (Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate is a bonus).
- Flexibility: You’re great at thinking on your feet and adapting when the menu or schedule needs a quick change.
- Strong communication skills and a positive attitude. Kids, staff, and school life can be unpredictable, so a big smile and a laugh will go a long way!
This Role Is Perfect If You
- Want to make a real impact in a school community
- Enjoy variety and hands-on working
- Like the idea of work-life balance that includes school holidays
- Are ready to bring your ideas, creativity, and energy to the table
Ready to Join the Olive Team?
If you’re ready to take the next step in your catering career and want to work somewhere that values people, flavour, and fun, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and bring your passion to the plate!
Sous Chef - Haggerston employer: Olive Dining Limited
At Olive Dining, we pride ourselves on being a family-friendly employer that values work-life balance, offering term-time hours and weekends off. Our supportive team culture ensures that every member is recognised and appreciated, with opportunities for personal growth and development within the company. Enjoy free meals on duty and access to wellbeing resources, all while making a meaningful impact by providing nutritious meals to students in a vibrant school environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - Haggerston
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Olive Dining. Understand their values and mission, especially how they focus on bringing people together through food. This will help you connect with them during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food! When you're in the interview, share your love for cooking and how you enjoy creating delicious meals. Talk about your experiences in the kitchen and how you can contribute to making mealtimes special for students.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your teamwork skills. Olive Dining values a supportive team culture, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked well with others in the past. Share examples of how you’ve motivated your team or handled busy service times.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Show your interest by asking about the kitchen environment, team dynamics, or opportunities for growth within the company. It’s a great way to show you’re genuinely excited about joining the Olive team.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - Haggerston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your experiences in the kitchen and what drives you to create delicious meals. We want to see that spark of enthusiasm that makes you a perfect fit for our team.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to match the role of Sous Chef at Olive Dining. Highlight relevant experience, especially in school catering or similar environments, and show us how your skills align with our mission of serving nutritious meals to students.
Keep It Professional Yet Friendly:While we love a casual vibe, remember to keep your application professional. Use clear language, check for typos, and maintain a friendly tone. We’re looking for someone who can bring a smile to the kitchen, so let your personality shine through!
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. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join the Olive Dining family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Olive Dining Limited
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your culinary knowledge. Familiarise yourself with Olive Dining's menu and their focus on nutritious meals. Being able to discuss specific dishes and how you would enhance them shows your passion and readiness to contribute.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Since teamwork is key in this role, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in a kitchen environment. Highlight your ability to motivate others and adapt to different team dynamics, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Flexibility
In a school kitchen, things can change quickly. Be ready to discuss times when you've had to think on your feet or adapt to unexpected challenges. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, which is crucial for the Sous Chef position.
✨Bring Your Personality
Olive Dining values a positive attitude and a sense of humour. Don’t shy away from showing your personality during the interview. A big smile and a few light-hearted comments can help you connect with the interviewers and show that you’d fit right into their supportive team culture.
