At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team, creating unique meals from surplus ingredients every day.
- Company: Join the UK's largest food redistribution charity, making a real difference in communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and the chance to impact food waste positively.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity with career growth in a vibrant, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to ensure no good food goes to waste while honing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for sustainability and community support.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 € per year.
Reporting To: Kitchen Manager
Salary Range: £40,000 - £45,000
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Felix’s Kitchen, Unit 12 & 14 Thomas Road Industrial Estate Poplar E14 7BN
Hours/Days per week: 37.5 hours per week, 5 days out of 6, between Monday to Saturday. Any 8.5 hours between 07:30 and 20:00
Our Vision: A UK where “No good food goes to waste”. The Felix Project and FareShare have recently merged to form the UK's largest food redistribution charity. Its vision is a UK where good food is never wasted, and nobody goes hungry. The organisation rescues high quality edible surplus food, from across the food industry and gets it to over 8,000 organisations across the UK who are working to strengthen communities and improve lives. The charity manages seven depots across London, Suffolk, Merseyside and Hampshire and works with 16 network partners who operate a further 26 regional depots across the UK. Over the next year our ambition is to rescue enough food nationally to provide nearly 200 million meals, turning an environmental problem into social good with measurable impact for people, planet, and the economy.
Purpose of the Job: We are looking for the Head Chef to play a key role leading the team at Felix’s Kitchen to continue and grow on the success of the last four years of operations. Felix’s Kitchen opened in 2021 and has grown its impact and output since then, to now be a one-of-a-kind kitchen producing 4.5-5 thousand ready meals 6 days a week made entirely from surplus ingredients. No two days will ever be the same, we work with surplus ingredients meaning each dish is unique and based on the incredible seasonal surplus ingredients we have received into our Poplar Depot based next to the kitchen. We have a core team of staff who run the operation but our workforce is made up of volunteers who support all aspects of our kitchen operations. The new Head Chef will line manage the chef team of roughly 10 people and be working in our main production kitchen every day, leading the team from the front, setting the standards and organising the day's production. Whilst managing, planning and leading are the core of the role, it is a hands-on role working in the kitchen to achieve the daily production targets and cooking new recipes each day.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead the Kitchen side of the operation on a day-to-day basis, setting the prep and cooking schedules for the day(s) ahead
- Support the team from the front in delivering the day's output objectives and problem solving across the kitchen operation
- Line Manage the Kitchen team, focused on the daily management but also working on people and team management alongside the kitchen manager
- Work alongside the kitchen management team to ensure all H&S, Food Safety and HACCP standards are met
- Participate in all external Health & Safety and Food Safety audits and carry out internal audits/checklists
- Be responsible for all safety paperwork and monitoring information from the kitchen operations
- Be accountable for the creation of unique recipe and spec sheets every day and managing the team to do so
- Create and monitor the packing list for the packing team to produce the final meal products, ensuring accurate labelling and allergen information is given
- Monitor and control inbound food supplies, ensuring the ingredients are used effectively and safely
- Maintaining cleanliness standards throughout the kitchen and food storage areas
- Working alongside the kitchen manager on improving quality, quantity and consistency of Felix Meals
- Ensure the team can provide a hot lunch for the staff at Poplar each day from our surplus ingredients
- Working to support the volunteers in the kitchen, with hands-on instructions and overall experience management
- Support the Chef Trainer in the execution of our Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme
Your normal duties and responsibilities will be set out in your job description. However, the charity may require you to perform other duties from time to time.
Recruitment timeline: We reserve the right to close advertisements early and we might assess candidates and arrange interviews as applications come in, so please apply as soon as possible, to avoid missing out on this opportunity. Due to the anticipated large number of applicants, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of your application, we regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful. Consequently, we will not be able to provide feedback.
Volunteer Manager (Southern Central) in Hampshire employer: The Felix Project
At Felix's Kitchen, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, allowing our team to thrive while working with surplus ingredients to create unique meals. With ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, including hands-on training and leadership development, we invite passionate individuals to join us in our mission to ensure that no good food goes to waste.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Manager (Southern Central) in Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Felix’s Kitchen and its mission. When you understand their vision of reducing food waste and helping communities, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how you align with their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for standing out in the interview process. Personal connections can give you an edge!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to kitchen management and teamwork. Role-play with a friend or family member to build confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team at Felix’s Kitchen. Don’t wait too long; apply early to increase your chances!
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Manager (Southern Central) in Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for food and community.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with our mission. Show us why you're the perfect fit for the Head Chef role at Felix’s Kitchen!
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t hold back on sharing your relevant experience in kitchen management and working with volunteers. We love to see how you've led teams and created delicious meals from surplus ingredients.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Felix Project
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of surplus ingredients that Felix’s Kitchen typically works with. Being able to discuss how you would creatively use these ingredients in meal preparation will show your passion and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen or team in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate others and solve problems on the fly, as this is crucial for the dynamic environment at Felix’s Kitchen.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Brush up on your knowledge of Health & Safety, Food Safety, and HACCP standards. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in a kitchen setting, as this will be a key part of your responsibilities.
✨Engage with the Mission
Understand and connect with the vision of reducing food waste and feeding communities. Be prepared to share why this mission resonates with you personally and how you can contribute to achieving it through your role.
