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- Tasks: Create exciting menus and coach teams to improve school meals for children.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on enhancing school catering experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative freedom, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of school meals and inspire young minds with your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Strong culinary skills, creativity, and experience in school catering preferred.
- Other info: Opportunity to travel and work across multiple school kitchens.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Make a Real Difference With Your Culinary Skills
Increase your chances of an interview by reading the following overview of this role before making an application.
Are you a creative, experienced chef who wants to shape menus, coach teams and improve school meals instead of just running a kitchen? This role puts you at the heart of developing healthy, exciting food for thousands of children — and gives you the freedom to innovate across multiple sites.
About the Role
An experienced Development Chef is required to work across a network of school kitchens. The successful candidate will:
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Design and implement fresh, seasonal menus meeting School Food Standards and Food for Life criteria.
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Coach and upskill school cooks, driving high standards across all kitchens.
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Carry out audits and provide recommendations for improvement.
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Showcase the school meal offer at events, taster sessions and demonstrations.
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Drive continuous improvement across school and commercial catering operations serving over 2 million meals a year.
Candidate Requirements
Applicants should:
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Have strong culinary skills and a passion for fresh, wholesome food.
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Bring creativity and knowledge of current food trends.
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Understand school catering standards, allergen management and compliance.
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Have experience in primary school catering (or be able to adapt).
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Be natural leaders with excellent communication and collaboration skills.
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Hold a full driving licence and be able to travel to different locations
Development Chef employer: Orion
Contact Detail:
Orion Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, school catering teams, or even local food events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary creativity! Prepare a few signature dishes that reflect your style and understanding of current food trends. Bring these along to interviews or networking events to really impress.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about your experience with school catering standards. Brush up on allergen management and compliance, as these are crucial in this role. Demonstrating your knowledge will set you apart from other candidates.
✨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 passionate chefs who want to make a difference in school meals!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Creativity: When you’re writing your application, let your passion for fresh, wholesome food shine through! Share examples of how you've designed exciting menus or introduced innovative dishes in your previous roles. We want to see your unique flair!
Highlight Your Coaching Skills: Since this role involves coaching and upskilling school cooks, make sure to mention any experience you have in mentoring or training others. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and lead teams to achieve high standards.
Know Your Standards: Familiarise yourself with School Food Standards and allergen management before applying. Mentioning your understanding of these guidelines in your application will show us that you’re serious about improving school meals and keeping kids safe.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Don’t miss out on the chance to make a real difference with your culinary skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Orion
✨Showcase Your Culinary Creativity
Prepare to discuss your unique culinary ideas and how they can enhance school menus. Bring examples of seasonal dishes you've created in the past, and be ready to explain how they meet nutritional standards while being appealing to children.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves coaching and upskilling school cooks, think of specific instances where you've led a team or improved kitchen operations. Be prepared to share your approach to mentoring others and how you foster collaboration in a kitchen environment.
✨Know Your Standards
Brush up on School Food Standards and Food for Life criteria before the interview. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you understand the importance of compliance and can implement it effectively in your role.
✨Prepare for Practical Demonstrations
Expect to showcase your cooking skills during the interview. Practise presenting a dish that highlights your ability to create healthy, exciting meals. Think about how you would engage an audience during a taster session or event, as this is key to the role.