At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in preparing and serving diverse school meals while ensuring compliance with health standards.
- Company: Join Tower Hamlets, a dynamic council committed to providing excellent school catering services.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours and the chance to make a real impact in your community.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that values diversity and aims to provide quality meals for students.
- Qualifications: Experience in school catering and staff management is essential; strong cooking skills are a must.
- Other info: This role offers term-time only work, perfect for students or those seeking a balanced schedule.
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.
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Head of Kitchen (London) 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 (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and expectations of school catering services in Tower Hamlets. Understanding local dietary requirements and cultural preferences can set you apart as a candidate who is genuinely invested in the community.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the local authority or private sector catering industry. Attend relevant events or workshops to connect with others who may provide insights or even referrals for the Head of Kitchen position.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've successfully managed teams in multi-site kitchens. Highlighting your ability to motivate and organise staff will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your knowledge of food safety regulations and allergen legislation during any discussions or interviews. Being well-versed in these areas will reflect your professionalism and commitment to maintaining high standards in school meals.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Kitchen (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in school catering services and managing multi-site kitchens. Emphasise any relevant qualifications and skills that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for school meals and your ability to lead a team. Mention specific examples of how you've met customer expectations and built positive client relationships in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, clearly outline your experience with food safety standards, allergen legislation, and your ability to prepare a variety of ethnic and cultural foods. This will demonstrate your competence in meeting the requirements of the role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Provide examples of how you have effectively managed kitchen staff, created work rotas, and ensured high standards in meal production. Highlight your organisational skills and ability to work independently while being a team player.
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 requires competent cooking skills, be ready to talk about your culinary expertise. You might even want to mention any special dishes or cuisines you excel in, especially those that cater to diverse dietary needs.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership
Discuss your approach to team management and how you motivate staff. Share examples of how you've built good working relationships and fostered a positive kitchen environment.
✨Align with Tower Hamlets Values
Familiarise yourself with the TOWER values: Together, Open, Willing, Excellent, Respect. Be ready to explain how you embody these values in your work and how they align with your vision for the role.