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- Tasks: Lead a school kitchen, preparing and serving nutritious meals for students and staff.
- Company: Thurrock Catering Services, dedicated to providing award-winning meals in schools.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, flexible working, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by ensuring children enjoy healthy meals that support their growth.
- Qualifications: Catering management experience, food hygiene certification, and excellent customer care skills.
- Other info: Join a supportive team in a friendly environment with career growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 29253 - 32736 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Salary: £29,253 - £32,736 per annum pro rata to hours worked as part-time
Grade: C
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 25 hours per week (term-time only)
About the Department
Thurrock Catering Services provides Bronze Food for Life, award winning lunchtime meals in Primary & Secondary Schools within the Borough, serving more than one million meals each year to children and school staff. Due to the Universal Free School Meal's for KS1 pupils and continued expansion and growth of our service which now includes catering for Grangewaters Outdoor Activity Centre's Residential Groups and Holiday Activity Feeding Events, an opportunity now exists to work in a friendly and flexible environment within school kitchens in Thurrock.
About the role
- You will be required to prepare, produce, and deliver an excellent standard food service to the staff and pupils.
- You must be able to organise, arrange and supervise all activities in the school kitchen, counter display and dining room area.
- You must be prepared to cover wherever required across Thurrock in other schools if needed.
- You will need to promote the service and keep abreast of new products, promotions, and any changes in legislation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Deliver a high standard catering service.
- Cover and support the Catering Service wherever required across Thurrock.
- Promotion of the Catering Service keeping abreast of new products & legislation.
- Organise and manage the catering provision to ensure an efficient and cost-effective service to meet set targets on food and labour costs.
- Ordering provisions, food preparation and cooking in accordance with the recipe file and menu.
- All paperwork & reporting required to ensure stock take and payroll deadlines are met.
- The management of staff to include attendance and annual appraisals.
- Increase uptake and business growth.
Full workplace training will be given, which includes food hygiene and safety training. A flexible approach with a 'can-do' attitude is required together with a pleasant personality and excellent customer care ethics. This role offers the chance to make a real difference by ensuring our students eat nutritious and healthy food to support their growth and well-being and by providing a crucial food source to vulnerable pupils.
What We’re Looking For
- Previous Catering Management experience.
- Exceptional customer care skills.
- Excellent Team Leader.
- Essential qualifications:
- Food Hygiene Level 3.
- Allergen Awareness.
- NVQ Certificate in Food Preparation & Cooking Level 2 - 3 (City & Guilds 706/1 & 2).
Benefits of Working with Us
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable).
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support.
- Staff discounts and local offers.
- A supportive and inclusive working environment.
Important Dates
- Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 18th December 2025.
- Closing Date (Internal & External): 4th January 2026.
- Interview Date To Be Confirmed.
Additional Information
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact: Jayne Darlow - Catering Services Manager jdarlow@thurrock.gov.uk | 07920 232616.
Application Requirements
As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application. If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification. We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
Cook 4 - Head of Kitchen in Grays employer: Thurrock Council
Contact Detail:
Thurrock Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook 4 - Head of Kitchen in Grays
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, especially those who might know about openings at Thurrock. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, prepare a sample dish or create a mini portfolio showcasing your culinary creations. This can really impress during interviews and give us a taste of what you can bring to the kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for a practical test! Many catering roles involve hands-on assessments, so brush up on your cooking techniques and food safety knowledge. We want to see how you handle the heat in the kitchen!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the team you could be joining. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Cook 4 - Head of Kitchen in Grays
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your previous catering management experience. We want to see how you've led teams and delivered excellent food services in the past!
Be Specific About Skills: Mention your exceptional customer care skills and any relevant qualifications like Food Hygiene Level 3. We love seeing candidates who are not just qualified but also passionate about what they do!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the job description. Use keywords from the listing to show that you understand what we're looking for and how you fit into our team at Thurrock Catering Services.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thurrock Council
✨Know Your Menu
Familiarise yourself with the menu and any special dietary requirements that might come up. Being able to discuss how you would cater to different needs shows your commitment to excellent customer care and your understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen or team in the past. Highlight your ability to organise, supervise, and motivate staff, as this is crucial for the Head of Kitchen position.
✨Stay Updated on Food Legislation
Brush up on current food hygiene regulations and allergen awareness. Being knowledgeable about these topics will demonstrate your professionalism and readiness to promote a safe and compliant kitchen environment.
✨Bring Your 'Can-Do' Attitude
During the interview, convey your flexible approach and willingness to cover various roles as needed. A positive attitude can set you apart and show that you're ready to contribute to the team’s success.