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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team, preparing delicious meals for diverse guests.
- Company: Join Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development, a vibrant and supportive workplace.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, health perks, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a chance to work in beautiful outdoor settings.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on outdoor learning experiences while showcasing your culinary creativity.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking for large groups and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 15352 - 27634 £ per year.
This part‑time position has a starting salary of £15,352 per annum based on a 20 hour working week, pro‑rata to £27,634. This is a 6 month fixed‑term contract or secondment opportunity, commencing 1st April 2026.
We are excited to be hiring a Kitchen Lead / Cook to join our fantastic team, leading kitchen shifts at Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD). The role will be primarily based at Thames Young Mariners, Riverside Drive, Ham, near Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7RX. Occasionally there will be a requirement to work at our other sites in Dorking and Guildford.
Our Offer to You:
- Playing a valuable part in the outdoor learning experience of our guests
- Working amongst a friendly and dynamic team
- Working with a range of customers and projects
- Working at 3 unique centres in beautiful locations
- 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
About the Role:
SOLD is a provider of high‑quality outdoor learning programmes. Our catering team prides itself on feeding our visitors home‑cooked and freshly prepared nutritious meals, fuelling busy, active days in the outdoors! We offer a hearty and delicious menu and the team cater for a range of dietary needs. The dining experience plays a key role in the overall high‑quality experience of our visitors.
As a Kitchen Lead / Cook, you'll play a key role in leading, supporting, and motivating our kitchen team. You'll be preparing, cooking, and serving meals for a wide range of guests – from school children to adult groups. From time to time, you'll also help deliver themed events, giving you the chance to bring your creativity to life. Outdoor cooking and serving are part of these exciting occasions, adding variety and fun to the role.
Your responsibilities will also include:
- Staff mentoring and development
- Ordering and stock control
- Menu planning
- Ensuring tasty, high‑quality food is delivered every day
No two days are the same, so adaptability is key to meeting the changing needs of our groups.
Working Hours:
Shifts to cover: from Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, either AM/PM or varied. Early shifts start from 6am and late shifts typically finish no later than 8pm. Centres are open seven days a week.
Your Application:
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- Positive and motivational leadership and communication skills
- Holder of, or working towards, Food Hygiene Level 3
- Experience of cooking for large groups and catering for a wide range of needs
- Experience of adapting to special diets and allergens
- Excellent planning and time management skills with ability to work using own initiative
- Positive and solution focused
The role holder will need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role.
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:
- Please tell us what motivated you to apply for the role of Kitchen Lead with Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development?
- Please tell us what key skills, abilities, and experience you have, whether from previous roles or other contexts, that you believe would help you succeed in this role? Please include any transferable skills.
- How do you describe your style of cooking?
- What is the average number of meals you have catered for in a sitting?
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.
Contact Us:
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Robin Ridsdale via email at robin.ridsdale@surreycc.gov.uk.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 01.02.2026 with interviews planned to follow. We look forward to receiving your application.
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Kitchen Lead in Dorking employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Lead in Dorking
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, check out their website and social media. Understanding their values and mission will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. This will help you articulate your experience and skills clearly, especially how they relate to leading a kitchen team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for cooking! Bring some examples of your previous work or even a menu you've created. This not only highlights your creativity but also demonstrates your commitment to delivering high-quality meals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the role or the team. This shows you're engaged and eager to learn more about how you can contribute to their outdoor learning experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Lead in Dorking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’ll help you understand what we’re looking for in a Kitchen Lead and how to tailor your application to match our needs.
Show Off Your Skills: When answering the questions, make sure to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. We want to see how your background fits with the role, so don’t hold back on sharing your culinary achievements!
Be Yourself: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can lead and motivate a team, so a bit of your unique style will go a long way in making your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly, and you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the role of Kitchen Lead and what it entails. Brush up on your cooking techniques, especially for large groups, and be ready to discuss your experience with different dietary needs. This will show that you’re not just passionate about cooking but also knowledgeable about the specifics of the job.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Kitchen Lead, you’ll need to motivate and support your team. Think of examples from your past where you’ve successfully led a team or mentored someone. Be prepared to share these stories during the interview to demonstrate your positive and motivational leadership style.
✨Be Creative with Your Cooking Style
The role involves delivering themed events, so don’t shy away from showcasing your creativity! Prepare to talk about your cooking style and how you can bring fun and variety to the menu. Maybe even think of a unique dish you could introduce that aligns with the outdoor learning experience.
✨Ask Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some thoughtful questions about the team, the kitchen environment, or the types of events you might be catering for. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.