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- Tasks: Inspire a team to create delicious, nutritious meals for school children using fresh ingredients.
- Company: Join Meadowcroft School's vibrant catering team with a focus on health and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, discounts, health support, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through healthy eating and creative cooking.
- Qualifications: Passion for cooking, experience in kitchen management, and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Flexible term-time hours for a great work/life balance and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 14736 - 14736 £ per year.
This role is based at Meadowcroft School. Though you will only work during term time, you will be paid a salary every month including school holidays.
This role has a starting salary of £14,736.47 per annum for working 25 hours per week, 38.4 weeks per year (equivalent to £13.35 per hour, plus annual leave allowance).
Our Offer to You
- Final salary pension
- Discounts on various services including food shopping
- Health and wellbeing support
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Full induction
- Term time only hours that allow for good work/life balance
- Training and development opportunities, including a Level 3 Food Hygiene Qualification.
About the Role
Using your passion, creativity and enthusiasm, you will inspire a team to produce an outstanding menu using fresh ingredients. In addition to using your flair and passion to create great dishes, you will record meal transactions, control and administer stock, order food and sundry supplies, and take responsibility for the day to day running of a smooth kitchen. Your main goal will be to provide school children with tasty, nutritious meals that help them develop healthy bodies and minds.
Customer service is at the front and centre of the Twelve15 Vision and Mission. You will be a fantastic communicator with an ability to work with our school clients and our customers to promote the benefits of the service we offer.
Your Application
Your application should evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- A passion and skill for cooking with an ability to deliver high levels of meals in a food production environment
- Health and Safety Certificate Level 1, and proven understanding of health and safety in a kitchen environment
- Level 2 Food Safety Certificate
- NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking or equivalent
- IT and administrative skills
- Excellent communication skills (including teamwork, leadership, and customer service)
- Experience supervising staff and managing a kitchen
- Experience using catering equipment and the ability to train others
- Excellent time keeping and flexibility around locations.
We'd also love to hear about any other relevant skills, interests, or knowledge that you could bring to the table. Perhaps you have detailed knowledge about allergies, or a particular interest in nutrition. Additionally, if you don’t hold these qualifications but have a significant amount of experience catering for large groups of people in a management role, please don’t hesitate in applying!
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:
- Why do you think eating healthily is so important for children and what is the impact of a healthy school meal for children?
- Please tell us about your experience of working in a kitchen, including the part you played in the production of food.
- What experience do you have supervising / managing staff responsible for producing large quantities of food?
- Please list any skills and qualifications you have that are relevant to this role.
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.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 16th February 2026 with interviews to follow. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Chef Manager - Meadowcroft in Ottershaw employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager - Meadowcroft in Ottershaw
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school and its values! Research Meadowcroft School and understand their mission. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since this role is all about creating delicious meals, why not whip up some of your favourite dishes and share them with friends or family? This will not only boost your confidence but also give you great talking points for your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your leadership skills! As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team. Think about past experiences where you've successfully managed people or projects, and be ready to discuss these during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about the role. Don’t forget to highlight your passion for healthy eating and how you can inspire kids with nutritious meals!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager - Meadowcroft in Ottershaw
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share specific examples of dishes you've created or how you've used fresh ingredients to make meals exciting. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who truly cares about the food they serve.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to detail your experience in a kitchen environment. Talk about your role in food production and any leadership experience you have. We’re looking for someone who can manage a team and keep things running smoothly, so don’t hold back on showcasing your skills!
Answer the Questions Thoughtfully: Take your time with the four questions we’ve asked for your application. These are your chance to show us your understanding of healthy eating and your experience in managing a kitchen. Be honest and detailed – we want to get to know you and your approach to cooking!
Check Your Application Before Submitting: Before you hit that submit button, give your application a good once-over. Make sure everything is clear, concise, and free of typos. A polished application shows us that you care about the details, which is super important in a kitchen setting. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the importance of fresh ingredients and how they contribute to healthy meals for children. Be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you can creatively use seasonal produce in your menu.
✨Show Off Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your experience in supervising staff, training others, and ensuring high standards in food production.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Since customer service is key, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think about how you would engage with school clients and promote the benefits of your service. Good communication can set you apart!
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions about your experience in food safety and health regulations. Brush up on your knowledge of Level 1 and Level 2 Food Safety Certificates, and be prepared to discuss how you ensure a safe kitchen environment.
