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- Tasks: Inspire a team to create delicious, nutritious meals for school children using fresh ingredients.
- Company: Join Pyrford School's dynamic kitchen team with a focus on health and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, term-time hours, and discounts on services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's health while enjoying a great work/life balance.
- Qualifications: Passion for cooking, experience in kitchen management, and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunities for training and development, including a Level 3 Food Hygiene Qualification.
The predicted salary is between 20631 - 20631 £ per year.
This role is based at Pyrford 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 £20,631.06 per annum for working 35 hours per week, 38.4 weeks per year (equivalent to £13.35 per hour, plus annual leave allowance).
Our Offer to You
- Competitive salary
- 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. 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 8th February 2026 with interviews to follow. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!
Our Commitment
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.
Locations
Chef Manager in Surrey, Woking employer: Surrey County Council
Contact Detail:
Surrey County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager in Surrey, Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school and its values! Research Pyrford School and understand their mission. This will help you tailor your conversation during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills and be ready to showcase them! If you get the chance, bring a sample dish or talk about your favourite recipes during the interview. It’s a great way to demonstrate your passion for food and creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your communication skills! Since customer service is key, think of examples where you've successfully managed a team or resolved issues in a kitchen setting. Being able to share these stories will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the lives of school children.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager in Surrey, Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: Let your love for cooking shine through in your application! Share specific examples of dishes you've created or how you've inspired others in the kitchen. We want to see your creativity and enthusiasm!
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to detail your experience in a kitchen environment, especially any roles where you supervised staff or managed food production. We’re looking for those who can handle the heat and keep things running smoothly!
Answer the Questions Thoughtfully: Take your time with the application questions. They’re your chance to showcase your understanding of healthy eating for children and your kitchen management skills. We want to hear your insights and experiences!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your CV and answers. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Pyrford School!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the menu and the ingredients you'll be using. Be ready to discuss how you can create nutritious meals for children, and share any creative ideas you have for dishes that align with the school's vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of your experience in supervising staff and managing a kitchen. Highlight specific situations where you successfully led a team or improved kitchen operations, as this will demonstrate your ability to inspire and manage others.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially regarding the importance of healthy eating for children. Be prepared to answer questions about your communication style and how you engage with both staff and customers to promote the service.
✨Highlight Relevant Qualifications
If you have any certifications like Level 2 Food Safety or Health and Safety Certificates, make sure to mention them. Even if you lack formal qualifications, emphasise your extensive experience in catering for large groups, as this can set you apart from other candidates.
