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- Tasks: Plan and prepare nutritious meals while leading a supportive kitchen team.
- Company: Join Options Autism, a leader in providing specialist education for students with diverse needs.
- Benefits: Enjoy life assurance, pension options, mental health support, and flexible benefits tailored to you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while working in a nurturing environment.
- Qualifications: Previous catering experience, strong food safety knowledge, and management skills required.
- Other info: This role is term-time only, allowing for a balanced work-life schedule.
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 30000 £ per year.
At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!
Job Title: School Chef
Location: Yiewsley Grange School, West Drayton UB7 7QP
Salary:26,000.00 per annum (not pro rata)
Hours: 38.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract:Permanent, Term Time only
Start: September 2025
UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.
As part of our continued growth, we are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a School Chef to join our close-knit team at Yiewsley Grange School, part of Options Autism.
This is a great chance to be part of a dedicated and supportive team, making a real difference every day.
If you or someone you know is passionate about providing nutritious, high-quality meals in a nurturing school environment, wed love to hear from you.
About the Role
In this key role, you will be responsible for planning and preparing high-quality food and catering services for the School, as well as managing and supervising all kitchen staff. This is a rewarding position that combines culinary skills with leadership and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of our students and staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan menus that cater to the dietary needs of our Service Users.
- Monitor food stocks with careful attention to date rotation, portion control, quality, and budgetary guidelines.
- Set up and clean down the kitchen area before and after daily use.
- Ensure appropriate food preparation is completed for daily and weekly needs.
- Be mindful of and actively work to minimise food waste.
- Provide appropriate meals for staff and Service Users with special dietary requirements.
Who Were Looking For
The ideal candidate will bring both experience and passion to the role, along with:
Knowledge & Skills
- Strong understanding of catering practices, including correct use and storage of food products.
- Solid knowledge of food safety requirements.
- Ability to create and maintain effective systems of work.
Experience
- Previous catering experience in an educational, residential, or similar setting.
- Experience in menu planning with a focus on nutrition and budgetary control.
- Proven experience at a management level in a similar environment.
- Experience supervising and appraising staff.
This is a great opportunity for a dedicated and experienced chef to become part of a supportive, high-impact environment
About Us
At Yiewsley Grange, we provide specialist education for 185 pupils. Within Yiewsley Grange we deploy a wide range of teaching strategies to engage and develop the progress of learners, who present with a range of learning difficulties and styles. Our pupilsare taught in smaller class sizes and all students work towards an Equals Semi-Formal Curriculum and equivalent qualifications in functional skills.
Yiewsley Grange School is a part of the Hillingdon Grange group of schools. Located over four sites, the group provides education from early years up to KS2 and offers a unique mix of education and support to pupils within a wide spectrum of needs and abilities. Personalised teaching and learning in an autism-specific environment allows pupils individual needs to be addressed completely and their capabilities fully realised.
For over 16 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the fifth year running.
Why join Options Autism?
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so youll get an exceptional reward package including:
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
- Your Wellbeing Matters access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package thats right for you, including:
- A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
- 100s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
- Cycle to Work Schemes
- Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
And thats not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils in our services at the heart of everything we do, so youll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
#1
School Chef (West Drayton) employer: Outcomes First Group
Contact Detail:
Outcomes First Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Chef (West Drayton)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary needs of students in educational settings. Understanding how to cater for various dietary restrictions will not only enhance your menu planning but also show your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience you have in managing kitchen staff or working in a school environment. This will demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to create a positive team atmosphere, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices during any informal discussions or interviews. Being well-versed in these areas will reassure the hiring team of your capability to maintain high standards in the kitchen.
✨Tip Number 4
Connect with current or former employees of Yiewsley Grange School on social media platforms. Gaining insights from their experiences can provide you with valuable information about the school's culture and expectations, helping you tailor your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace School Chef (West Drayton)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in catering, especially in educational or similar settings. Emphasise your management skills and any specific achievements related to menu planning and food safety.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for providing nutritious meals and your understanding of the dietary needs of students. Mention how your experience aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your knowledge of food safety requirements and catering practices. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen staff and maintained effective systems of work.
Showcase Your Impact: Discuss how your previous roles have positively impacted the wellbeing of students or service users. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to create a nurturing environment through high-quality food services.
How to prepare for a job interview at Outcomes First Group
✨Show Your Passion for Nutrition
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for providing nutritious meals. Talk about how you can cater to the dietary needs of students and share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to healthy eating.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
As a School Chef, you'll be managing kitchen staff. Be prepared to discuss your previous management experience and how you motivate and supervise a team. Share examples of how you've successfully led a team in a busy kitchen environment.
✨Prepare for Menu Planning Questions
Expect questions about your approach to menu planning, especially regarding nutrition and budget control. Have a few ideas ready that showcase your creativity and understanding of dietary requirements, particularly for children with special needs.
✨Highlight Your Food Safety Knowledge
Food safety is crucial in a school setting. Be ready to discuss your knowledge of food safety regulations and practices. You might want to mention any certifications you have and how you ensure compliance in your kitchen.