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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen, manage budgets, and inspire your team daily.
- Company: Join Sodexo, a company dedicated to creating brighter futures through food.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, no unsociable hours, and public holidays off, including Christmas!
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team that values passion and purpose in cooking.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale cooking and staff supervision is essential.
- Other info: Full training provided, plus access to mental health support and career progression.
Chef – Lead with Passion, Cook with Purpose!
Salary: £13.13 per hour
Hours: 20 hrs per week
Working Pattern: 10-2pm
Are you ready to take the lead in a kitchen where food fuels not just bodies but bright futures? As a Chef for Sodexo, you\’ll be at the heart of the school, overseeing food and beverage operations, managing budgets, and ensuring every meal is top-tier. Your leadership will inspire your team daily, creating a dynamic and productive work environment. Best of all? No unsociable hours and public holidays off—including Christmas!
Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.
What You’ll Do:
Oversee the replenishment of food and ensure work areas are cleaned and maintained to a high standard
Develop, mentor, and train kitchen staff to foster an inspiring team culture
Manage and optimise all aspects of the catering operation, including labour, food, and stock costs
Maintain consistency in food quality and service standards for staff, visitors, and students
Lead menu creation and development to keep offerings fresh and exciting
Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations
What You Bring:
Experience cooking on a large scale (100–1300 students)
Experience following recipes in a professional kitchen
Prior staff supervision or line management experience
Strong knowledge of fresh produce and ingredient preparation
Understanding of health and safety regulations and the ability to enforce them
Ability to work under pressure in a busy kitchen environment
Positive leadership, professionalism, and a passion for food
Hold basic food handling certifications, including:
Level 2 Food Safety Certificate
At least one year of hands-on cooking experience (Training in Food Hygiene and Health & Safety provided)
What We Offer:
A dynamic and supportive work environment
Competitive salary and benefits
Full training and protective uniform provided
No unsociable hours and public holidays off—including Christmas!
Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support
Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support
Discounts, cashback schemes, and financial benefits
Career progression, learning opportunities, and apprenticeships
Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunities
At Sodexo, we believe everyone deserves a place to belong. This isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. If you’re ready to lead with passion and cook with purpose, we want to hear from you!
Apply today and help us create a brighter future!
Note: Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding children. All roles require pre-employment screening, including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and past employer checks.
Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.
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Chef employer: Sodexo Group
Contact Detail:
Sodexo Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Showcase your leadership skills during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed a team in a kitchen environment, as this role requires strong mentorship and team development.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Sodexo's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to creating a positive impact through food can help you align your answers and demonstrate your passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with large-scale cooking. Since you'll be overseeing meals for 100-1300 students, having concrete examples of your past experiences in similar settings will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to talk about your knowledge of food safety and hygiene regulations. This is crucial for the role, so demonstrating your understanding and commitment to maintaining high standards will be key.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially in large-scale cooking and staff supervision. Use specific examples to demonstrate your leadership skills and knowledge of food safety regulations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for cooking and leadership. Mention how your values align with Sodexo's mission and how you can contribute to creating a positive kitchen environment.
Highlight Relevant Certifications: Include any relevant certifications, such as the Level 2 Food Safety Certificate, prominently in your application. This shows your commitment to maintaining high standards in food safety and hygiene.
Showcase Your Team Management Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've developed and mentored kitchen staff in the past. Highlight your ability to create an inspiring team culture and manage catering operations effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo Group
✨Show Your Passion for Food
During the interview, express your enthusiasm for cooking and how it drives you. Share specific examples of dishes you've created or experiences that highlight your love for food, as this role is all about leading with passion.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in managing kitchen staff. Highlight instances where you've successfully mentored or trained team members, as Sodexo values positive leadership and team culture.
✨Know Your Food Safety Regulations
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to a school kitchen environment. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance and maintain high standards of food safety, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Menu Development Questions
Think about how you would approach menu creation and keeping offerings fresh. Be ready to share ideas or past experiences related to menu development, as this will showcase your creativity and ability to engage students and staff alike.
