Area Support Chef

Impact Food Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Uniform

Pension

Job summary

Impact Food Group is recruiting for a Central Support Chef to support a portfolio of schools across London and surrounding areas. This role focuses on supervising chef managers, training onsite teams, and ensuring consistent, high-quality catering across multiple sites.

You will travel between sites with a 45-hour week, receive mileage reimbursements, and enjoy benefits including free meals on shift, a company pension, and ongoing training and career development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Previous Chef Manager experience (ideally within secondary education)
• A genuine passion for food and customer service
• Strong craft skills and the ability to lead by example
• Excellent organisation, flexibility, and resilience
• The ability to prioritise and adapt across multiple sites

Responsibilities

• Covering chef manager absences across sites
• Supporting with the training and development of onsite catering teams
• Assisting with the mobilisation of new contracts
• Maintaining high standards of food quality, service, and compliance
• Providing hands-on kitchen support when required

Skills

Chef management experience

Team training

Multi-site coordination

Food safety & hygiene

Customer service

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

We’re recruiting for aCentral Support Chef to join our fantastic team, supporting a portfolio of schools. This is a varied and rewarding role where you’ll assist with training and developing onsite chefs, provide cover across sites, and play a key role in new site mobilisations.

Please note: As this is a mobile, area-based role, you must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to your own vehicle.

The role…

Job Title: Central Support Chef / Area Support

Area Covering: London - South and West

Working Days: Monday to Friday

Shifts & Working hours: 45hours per week

Working Weeks: 42weeks per year

Pay Details: £35,000 per annum, & mileage expenses paid

Benefits: Free meals on shift, uniform, pension and other great company benefits

What’s this all about?

Due to continued growth, we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Chef Manager to step into a broader, multi-site role.

You’ll work closely with the Operations Manager, supporting a group of schools by:

• Covering chef manager absences across sites
• Supporting with the training and development of onsite catering teams
• Assisting with the mobilisation of new contracts
• Maintaining high standards of food quality, service, and compliance
• Providing hands-on kitchen support when required

We’re looking for someone with:

• Previous Chef Manager experience (ideally within secondary education)
• A genuine passion for food and customer service
• Strong craft skills and the ability to lead by example
• Excellent organisation, flexibility, and resilience
• The ability to prioritise and adapt across multiple sites

What’s in it for you?

This role offers a fantastic work-life balance - no evenings, no weekends, no late nights, and all school holidays off.

You’ll also benefit from:

• Free meals on shift and provided uniform
• Paid mileage for travel between sites
• Access to a company pension scheme
• Ongoing training, development, and career progression opportunities
• Free qualifications to support your growth
• A staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
• Monthly team incentives, including the chance to win shopping vouchers

We’ll give you the opportunity to build a career you can be proud of, within a supportive and growing business.

Please note: An interview 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 requiredtoundergo an enhancedDBS disclosure and children’s barred list check, which IFG will pay for.

We area committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail withinyourapplication. Allinformation is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.