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- Tasks: Support the Chef Manager and oversee daily kitchen operations in a friendly team.
- Company: Well-established catering operation with a focus on work-life balance.
- Benefits: £14.50 per hour, Monday to Friday hours, no evenings or weekends.
- Why this job: Enjoy a stable role with leadership opportunities and a great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in a kitchen role and strong food safety awareness.
- Other info: Ideal for those living within 30 minutes of the site; driving preferred.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 17 £ per hour.
We are currently representing a well-established catering operation seeking a reliable and hands-on Assistant Chef Manager to support the day-to-day running of a small, friendly kitchen team. This is an excellent opportunity for a chef looking for great work-life balance, with Monday to Friday hours and no evening or weekend work. The site is a small operation serving approximately 150 covers per day across breakfast and lunch, using standard recipes and structured systems. You will work closely with the Chef Manager and take responsibility for the kitchen during their absence. The team is small (around 3 people) and we are looking for someone who is happy to roll up their sleeves and support all aspects of the kitchen, not just cooking.
Role Details
- Permanent position – start ASAP
- £14.50 per hour
- 37.5 hours per week
- 30-minute unpaid lunch break daily
- Monday to Friday
- No evening or weekend work
- Free on-site parking
- Small team environment
The role is based in an area where public transport is limited and expensive, so driving is highly recommended. Ideal candidates will live within approximately 30 minutes of the site, such as: Wantage, Didcot, Abingdon.
The Role
You will support the Chef Manager and step in to cover the kitchen in their absence, ensuring service runs smoothly and standards are maintained. Daily service includes cooked breakfast and lunch, with occasional hospitality or small functions.
Responsibilities include:
- Preparing and overseeing breakfast and lunch service
- Following standard recipes and food production systems
- Opening and closing the kitchen
- Maintaining high food safety and hygiene standards
- Completing food temperature checks and records
- Supporting with ordering and stock control
- Putting deliveries away and managing stock rotation
- Supporting with washing up and general kitchen cleaning
- Maintaining a clean, organised kitchen environment
- Supporting the team with day-to-day kitchen tasks
- Covering the Chef Manager during absence
This role requires someone who is hands-on, organised, and comfortable helping with all areas of kitchen operations.
What We’re Looking For
- Experience in a Sous Chef, Senior Chef, or Kitchen Supervisor role
- Someone practical and willing to support all kitchen tasks
- Strong food safety awareness
- Good organisation and ability to work in a small team
- Positive attitude and team-focused mindset
- Ability to take responsibility when covering the Chef Manager
- A passion for quality food and consistent service
Additional Requirements
- Candidates will need to undergo a security background check
- Driving is strongly preferred due to limited public transport
This is a great opportunity for a chef looking for a stable weekday role with leadership responsibility and excellent work-life balance.
We endeavour to reply to every candidate, every time but if you haven’t heard back within 10 days, please understand that you have unfortunately been unsuccessful for this position, or the position has been filled.
Assistant Chef Manager in Oxford employer: The HireWorks Ltd
Contact Detail:
The HireWorks Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Chef Manager in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the kitchen team before your interview! If you can, pop by the site and introduce yourself. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and helps you get a feel for the environment.
✨Tip Number 2
Be ready to showcase your hands-on skills during the interview. They want someone who can jump right in, so maybe prepare a few examples of how you've tackled kitchen challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your cooking skills; highlight your organisational abilities too! Mention how you’ve managed stock control or maintained hygiene standards in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed, and we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Chef Manager in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When writing your application, let us know why you love being in the kitchen! Share your experiences and what drives your passion for quality food. We want to see that spark in your words!
Highlight Your Team Spirit: Since we’re a small team, it’s important to show us how well you work with others. Mention any past experiences where you’ve collaborated with a team or supported colleagues in a busy kitchen environment.
Be Clear About Your Availability: Make sure to mention your availability in your application. Since this role is Monday to Friday with no evenings or weekends, we want to know that you’re on board with this schedule right from the start!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to join our friendly kitchen team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The HireWorks Ltd
✨Know Your Recipes
Familiarise yourself with standard recipes and food production systems that the kitchen uses. Being able to discuss these confidently during the interview will show your understanding of the role and your readiness to step in when needed.
✨Show Your Hands-On Approach
Emphasise your willingness to roll up your sleeves and get involved in all aspects of kitchen operations. Share examples from your past experiences where you’ve taken on various tasks, not just cooking, to demonstrate your versatility.
✨Highlight Teamwork Skills
Since this role involves working closely with a small team, be prepared to talk about your experience in collaborative environments. Mention specific instances where you’ve contributed to a positive team dynamic or helped resolve conflicts.
✨Discuss Food Safety Knowledge
Make sure to highlight your strong food safety awareness. Be ready to discuss how you maintain hygiene standards and manage food temperature checks, as this is crucial for the role and will show your commitment to quality service.