Assistant Chef

St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College; Peterlee; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College is seeking an Assistant Chef to support the Chef in delivering high quality school meals that meet nutritional standards and deadlines.

You will contribute to service development, supervise kitchen activities, train staff, uphold hygiene and safety, and assist with event catering while engaging with pupils and staff.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to continuous improvement of the catering service through quality assurance.
• Promote healthy eating initiatives and encourage uptake of healthy meals.
• Maintain communication with school leaders to meet customer needs and expectations.
• Respond to enquiries, feedback and complaints professionally.
• Support preparation, production, presentation and portion control of food.
• Organise and supervise daily kitchen operations for efficient service.
• Plan and deliver catering for school events and external requirements.
• Ensure food is prepared and presented to nutritional standards and deadlines.
• Lead, motivate and support kitchen staff.
• Deliver induction training and identify ongoing development needs.
• Ensure all staff wear protective clothing and follow safe practices.
• Attend meetings, training and development activities.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene regulations, health and safety, COSHH and policies.
• Support safe management of medical diets and Natasha’s Law compliance.
• Maintain kitchen hygiene and food safety practices.
• Ensure catering equipment is maintained and safe to use.
• Assist in cleaning and maintenance of kitchen areas and equipment.
• Support first aid provision and security of the kitchen.
• Follow financial procedures and complete administrative tasks on time.
• Maintain stock control, waste reduction and budget adherence.
• Contribute to safeguarding and inclusion in all aspects of the role.
• Maintain high standards of attendance, punctuality, presentation and professionalism.
• Build positive relationships with pupils, parents and stakeholders.
• Adhere to policies, procedures and codes of conduct.
• Plan and prioritise workloads and adapt to changing demands.
• Support wider school life and community partnerships.
• Contribute to the Trust’s and school’s strategic aims and long-term vision.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and scope.

Job description

The Assistant Chef will support the Chef in the following areas:

Service Delivery and Development

Contribute to the continuous improvement and development of the catering service through effective quality assurance processes.

Promote healthy eating initiatives and encourage uptake of healthy meal options.

Maintain regular communication with school leaders and stakeholders to ensure the service meets customer needs and expectations.

Respond professionally and effectively to customer enquiries, feedback, and complaints.

Food Preparation and Service

Support the preparation, production, presentation, and portion control of food to a consistently high standard.

Organise and supervise food preparation and service activities to ensure efficient daily operations.

Assist in the planning and delivery of catering for school events, functions, and external requirements.

Ensure all food is prepared and presented in accordance with nutritional standards and school deadlines.

Team Leadership and Training

Lead, motivate, and support kitchen staff, fostering a positive and cohesive team environment.

Deliver induction training to new staff and identify ongoing training and development needs.

Ensure all team members wear appropriate protective clothing and follow safe working practices.

Attend relevant meetings, training courses, and professional development activities as required.

Health, Safety and Compliance

Ensure compliance with food hygiene regulations, health and safety legislation, COSHH requirements, and Trust policies.

Support the safe management of medical diets and ensure compliance with Natasha’s Law.

Maintain high standards of personal hygiene, kitchen hygiene, and food safety practices.

Ensure catering equipment is maintained, used safely, and reported for repair when necessary.

Participate in the cleaning and maintenance of catering equipment and kitchen areas using approved products and procedures.

Support the provision of first aid and maintain the security of the kitchen and surrounding areas.

Financial and Administrative Responsibilities

Follow all financial procedures and systems accurately and consistently.

Complete all administrative tasks associated with the role in a timely manner.

Ensure effective stock control, waste reduction, and adherence to budgetary requirements.

Safeguarding, Equality and Inclusion

Contribute to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the role.

Support the Trust's values, ethos, and commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all.

General Requirements

The post holder will:

Maintain high standards of attendance, punctuality, personal presentation, and professionalism.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, pupils, parents, and other stakeholders.

Adhere to all Trust and school policies, procedures, and codes of conduct.

Take responsibility for their own professional development and actively seek opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills.

Plan and prioritise workloads effectively whilst responding flexibly to changing demands.

Support activities that enhance the wider life of the school and strengthen partnerships with parents and the community.

Contribute to the achievement of the Trust’s and school’s strategic aims and long-term vision.

Carry out any other duties that are commensurate with the grade and nature of the post and that reasonably fall within its scope.

Additional Information

This job description is not exhaustive. Duties and responsibilities may be reviewed and amended from time to time in line with the needs of the Trust and school, provided that the general nature of the role remains unchanged.