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- Tasks: Inspire a team to create delicious, nutritious meals for school children using fresh ingredients.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Pyrford School with a focus on health and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, term-time hours, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's health while enjoying a great work/life balance.
- Qualifications: Passion for cooking, kitchen management experience, and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a supportive, inclusive workplace.
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.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 6th March 2026 with interviews to follow.
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 - Pyrford School 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 - Pyrford School in Surrey, Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school and its values! Research Pyrford School and understand their mission around healthy eating. This will help you tailor your conversation during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a Chef Manager, you'll need to inspire your team and connect with students. Role-play common interview questions with a friend or family member to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your culinary creativity! Prepare a few signature dishes that reflect your passion for cooking and nutrition. If you can, bring photos or even samples to your interview to leave a lasting impression on the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're tech-savvy and comfortable with online processes, which is a bonus in today’s job market.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager - Pyrford School 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 that you’re not just about the food, but also about making a difference in children's lives through healthy meals.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When answering the questions, be sure to detail your experience in managing a kitchen and supervising staff. We’re looking for those standout moments where you’ve led a team or tackled challenges head-on. This is your chance to show us what you bring to the table!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your answers focused and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure you address each question directly. Use bullet points if it helps to organise your thoughts. Remember, we want to get to know you quickly, so make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Pyrford School. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey County Council
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating for children. Be ready to discuss why nutritious meals are crucial for their development. This shows your passion for the role and aligns with the school's mission.
✨Show Off Your Kitchen Skills
Prepare to share specific examples from your past kitchen experiences. Talk about how you’ve managed food production, supervised staff, and maintained high standards in a busy environment. Real-life stories will make your application stand out!
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Since excellent communication is key, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think about how you can convey your leadership style and teamwork experiences. Being able to connect with both staff and students is essential in this role.
✨Be Ready for the Questions
Anticipate the four questions listed in the job advert and prepare thoughtful responses. Tailor your answers to highlight your relevant skills and experiences, especially those that demonstrate your ability to manage a kitchen and produce large quantities of food.
