At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in preparing and serving diverse school meals while ensuring high standards.
- Company: Join Tower Hamlets, a dynamic council committed to equal opportunities and community pride.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, a supportive environment, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of school catering, fostering positive relationships and promoting healthy eating.
- Qualifications: Experience in school catering and team management is essential; passion for food is a must!
- Other info: We value diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Head of Kitchen Contract Catering Services
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Grade D (30 hours) or E (32.5 hours) Hour’s dependant on number of meals served
Term Time only
Contract Catering Services is the in-house school catering provider for Tower Hamlets operating in 63 sites. We are seeking Head of Kitchens who have experience in school catering services and have worked in multi-site kitchens for a local authority or private sector company. You will have experience of professionally managing a team of staff and ensuring the delivery of school meals and service meets customer expectations and results in positive client relationships.
You are at the heart of our catering operation, and we are looking for individuals who share our energy and passion and will contribute to our excellent school meals service. You will be able to demonstrate competent cooking skills, be flexible and to be able to lead a team.
Who are we looking for?
The ideal candidate must have school contract catering experience and have experience in managing staff.
· Use good judgement and demonstrate resourcefulness assertive
· Be honest and open.
· Responsive and flexible, self-motivated and team driven.
· Methodical and highly organised with an ability to work on your own initiative.
· You are an all-rounder who can build and create good working relationships with clients.
What will you be doing as a Head of Kitchen:
You will prepare, cook, and serve school meals including a wide variety of ethnic and cultural foods with full knowledge of Government standards for school food, allergen legislation and adhering to Food/Health & Safety requirements.
You will manage the day-to-day duties of the kitchen staff including preparing effective work rotas, meal production, ordering of food and cleaning materials and completing a daily kitchen log. You will ensure that standards meet or exceed all current legislation and Contract Catering Services policies and procedures.
You may be required to work in different school locations in the council depending on service needs.
Tower Hamlets vision for our borough is that: people are aspirational, independent and have equal access to opportunities; we are a borough that our residents are proud of and love to live in; and we are a dynamic, outcomes-based council using digital innovation and partnership working to respond to the changing needs of our borough. We want people who aspire to our TOWER values: Together; Open; Willing; Excellent; Respect.
Tower Hamlets has a zero-tolerance approach to, and works to eradicate, all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status, status as a civil partner, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and maternity and looks to employ a diverse workforce representative of those groups. We recognise that people can also be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class.We are a Disability Confident Employer, which means applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the post are guaranteed an interview. Care experience has also been adopted by the Council as an additional protected characteristic.
We welcome applicants interested in flexible working arrangements and also applicants who live in the borough.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Kitchen employer: Tower Hamlets Council Pension Fund
Contact Detail:
Tower Hamlets Council Pension Fund Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Kitchen
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and values of Tower Hamlets. Understanding their vision and TOWER values will help you align your approach and demonstrate that you're a good fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the school catering sector, especially those who have experience in multi-site kitchens. This can provide you with insights into the role and may even lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've built positive relationships with clients and staff.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current government standards for school food and allergen legislation. Being knowledgeable about these regulations will show your commitment to compliance and safety in the kitchen.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Kitchen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in school catering services and managing multi-site kitchens. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to meet customer expectations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for school meals and your alignment with Tower Hamlets' values. Mention your cooking skills, team management experience, and how you can contribute to their catering operation.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise your knowledge of Government standards for school food and allergen legislation. Provide examples of how you've ensured compliance with health and safety requirements in previous roles.
Demonstrate Your Soft Skills: Highlight your ability to build good working relationships with clients and your resourcefulness in problem-solving. Mention any experiences where you have shown flexibility and self-motivation in a team-driven environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tower Hamlets Council Pension Fund
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in school catering and managing multi-site kitchens. Highlight specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and met customer expectations.
✨Demonstrate Your Cooking Skills
Since the role involves preparing a variety of meals, be ready to talk about your cooking skills. You might even want to mention any special dietary knowledge or cultural cuisines you are familiar with.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership
Discuss your approach to team management. Share how you motivate staff, handle conflicts, and ensure that everyone is working towards common goals, especially in a busy kitchen environment.
✨Align with TOWER Values
Familiarise yourself with Tower Hamlets' TOWER values: Together, Open, Willing, Excellent, Respect. Be ready to provide examples of how you embody these values in your work and interactions with clients and colleagues.