At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in preparing and cooking meals while supporting a vibrant kitchen environment.
- Company: The Orpheus Centre, a charity empowering young disabled adults through the arts.
- Benefits: Meaningful work, supportive team, training opportunities, and term-time hours.
- Other info: Join a diverse and inclusive workplace committed to safeguarding and equality.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while pursuing your passion for food.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering, food hygiene knowledge, and a genuine love for cooking.
The predicted salary is between 12939 - 12939 £ per year.
The Orpheus Centre is a specialist charity and college supporting young disabled adults to develop independence, confidence and employability through the arts. Founded by Sir Richard Stilgoe, Orpheus places joy, inclusion and ambition at the centre of everything it does.
Salary: £12,938.90 per annum (£22,643.08 FTE)
Location: Godstone, Surrey
Hours: 20 Hours per Week | Term Time Only (42 Weeks per Year) Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm (flexibility available) – Part-time considered
Are you passionate about cooking and making a difference? The Orpheus Centre is looking for a friendly, enthusiastic and reliable Assistant Chef / Kitchen Assistant to join our Catering Team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who loves preparing great food and wants to work in a rewarding environment supporting disabled young adults to achieve their goals through the arts.
Working alongside our Chef Manager, you will help ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the kitchen, food service areas and dining spaces, delivering high-quality meals and excellent customer service to students, staff and visitors.
At Orpheus, our values of being joyful, bold, inclusive, resilient and determined are at the heart of everything we do, and we are looking for someone who shares these values.
What you'll be doing:
- Assisting with the preparation and cooking of meals to a high standard
- Supporting the daily operation of the kitchen and food service areas
- Receiving and checking food deliveries
- Maintaining stock rooms and food storage areas
- Preparing and delivering internal buffets
- Supporting staff lunch preparation
- Maintaining excellent food hygiene and health & safety standards
- Completing kitchen records and essential paperwork
- Handling cash and contactless payments
- Covering other catering areas, including the Arts Café, when required
- Supporting the Chef Manager and stepping up in their absence when needed
What we're looking for:
- Experience working in a catering or kitchen environment
- Food preparation experience
- Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to undertake training)
- Good communication, literacy and numeracy skills
- A genuine passion for food and cooking
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Understanding of healthy eating and food allergies
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality and inclusion
Why join us?
- Meaningful work that makes a real difference to young people's lives
- A supportive and welcoming team environment
- Term-time working pattern
- Training and development opportunities
- Opportunity to work within a unique and inspiring arts-based organisation
Safeguarding & Inclusion: The Orpheus Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable young adults. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and satisfactory references. This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. As part of our safer recruitment process and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, online searches may be undertaken as part of due diligence.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We value difference and are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and supportive workplace. In order to be considered you must be eligible to work in the UK.
The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer. We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be considered for interview.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are:
- Challenging attitudes towards disability
- Increasing understanding of disability
- Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
- Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration
Apply today: If you're a team player with a passion for food and customer service, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help create a positive dining experience that supports our students every day.
Assistant Chef / Kitchen Assistant in Godstone employer: The Orpheus Centre
The Orpheus Centre is an exceptional employer, offering a warm and creative environment where staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young disabled adults. With a strong commitment to employee growth through training and development opportunities, as well as a focus on inclusivity and support, this role in Godstone, Surrey, allows you to be part of an ambitious team dedicated to empowering individuals through the arts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Chef / Kitchen Assistant in Godstone
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at The Orpheus Centre and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Chef / Kitchen Assistant in Godstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at The Orpheus Centre that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at The Orpheus Centre.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at The Orpheus Centre get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Orpheus Centre
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at The Orpheus Centre and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
