Area Chef Manager

Impact Food Group; Reading; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Daytime hours

Training & career progression

Free culinary qualifications

Staff discount scheme

Job summary

Impact Food Group is looking for an Area Chef Manager to lead high-spec kitchen operations across Reading and surrounding areas, delivering fresh, seasonal meals to students in independent schools.

You will manage a catering team, plan menus, control stock and budgets, and ensure top standards of food safety and presentation for daily service and special events.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a professional or premium kitchen
• Ability to cook fresh, seasonal meals to a high standard
• Strong people management and leadership skills
• Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, budgets, and compliance
• Excellent organisational and communication skills

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the catering team across high-spec kitchens
• Plan menus, manage stock and control budgets
• Ensure food hygiene, safety and compliance
• Deliver fresh, seasonal meals to students daily
• Coordinate catering events and client functions
• Maintain high standards of service

Skills

Kitchen management

Food safety

Menu planning

Leadership

Budget control

Job description

Impact Food Group (IFG) is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.

Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.

We’re looking for people who are passionate about great service, fantastic food, and making a positive impact.

About The Role

Job Title: Area Chef Manager

School Location: Reading, THatcham, Farnham & surrounding areas

Working Days: Monday to Friday (some weekends)

Shifts & Working hours: 7am-4pm (45 hours per week)

Working Weeks: 52 weeks per year (5 weeks holiday)

Pay Details: £40,000 per Annum plus car allowance of £3840 per year (£320 per month)

What will I be doing?

As a Area Chef Manager, you will be supporting the operations team, cobering sites, mobilising and training. you’ll take full responsibility for running a high-spec kitchen, serving fresh, seasonal meals to students every day at our independant schools. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll manage your team, maintain exceptional standards, and ensure smooth, professional service. You’ll also be involved in catering events, parent functions, and special school occasions, delivering food to the highest presentation and quality standards.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
• Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals to a high standard
• Planning menus, managing stock, and controlling budgets
• Ensuring all food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards are met
• Building strong relationships with school clients, boarding staff, and stakeholders
• Overseeing the smooth running of service, from prep to finish
• Planning, preparing, and executing catering events, banquets, and special functions

We’re not in the business of making school food - we’re here to make great food, and that’s why our clients and customers love us.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for an experienced Chef Manager with a passion for high-spec catering and strong leadership skills.

• Proven experience managing a professional or high-standard kitchen, ideally in independent schools or premium catering environments
• Ability to cook fresh, seasonal food at a consistently high standard
• Strong people management and team leadership skills
• Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, budgets, and compliance
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with pride in maintaining exceptional standards
• Experience or willingness to support catering events and client functions

If you thrive in a high-standard, professional environment and enjoy leading teams to deliver exceptional food, this is the role for you.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary
• Daytime hours, with some flexibility for events
• Free meals on shift
• Opportunities for ongoing training, development, and career progression
• Access to free culinary qualifications
• Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
• Monthly team incentives with the chance to win shopping vouchers

This is your opportunity to lead a high-spec kitchen, work on premium catering events, and develop your career in an exceptional environment.

Please note: An interview, trade test, and kitchen visit will be required as part of the recruitment process.

IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, which IFG will pay for.

We are a committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.