Assistant Cook

Sodexo Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading food services company in Manchester seeks a passionate Cook to lead food preparation for a diverse group of students. The ideal candidate will have experience in large-scale cooking and a strong understanding of health and safety regulations. As part of a dynamic team, you will ensure high standards of food quality and customer service. You will benefit from a competitive salary, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment with no unsociable hours.

Benefits

Dynamic and supportive work environment

Competitive salary and benefits

Full training and protective uniform provided

Mental health and wellbeing support

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience cooking on a large scale (100–1300 students).
• Experience following recipes in a professional kitchen.
• Prior staff supervision or line management experience.
• Strong knowledge of fresh produce and ingredient preparation.
• Understanding of health and safety regulations and the ability to enforce them.

Responsibilities

• Organise and prepare meals to standard.
• Present a smart and professional image.
• Ensure food is prepared with attention to dietary requirements.
• Organize special functions and maintain relationships.
• Implement food hygiene and safety standards.

Skills

Experience cooking on a large scale

Experience following recipes in a professional kitchen

Prior staff supervision or line management experience

Strong knowledge of fresh produce and ingredient preparation

Understanding of health and safety regulations

Ability to work under pressure in a busy kitchen

Positive leadership and professionalism

Education

NVQ Level 2

Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

One year of hands-on cooking experience

Job description

COOK - Lead with Passion, Cook with Purpose!

Location: Oasis temple, Cheetham Hill, M8 8SA

Salary: £12.88 per hour
Hours: 25 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday -Friday [between 12am - 2.30pm, shifts vary]

Are you ready to take the lead in a kitchen where food fuels not just bodies but bright futures? As a Assistant Cook for Sodexo, you'll increase sales by driving uptake in meals and enhance customer experience in order to meet both client and commercial expectations whilst maintaining strict budgetary control in line with client and Sodexo expectations.

Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way.

What You’ll Do:

• Organise and be assisted with the preparation and presentation of all meals service (participating as necessary) at the required time, being provided to the standard laid down in the Service Level Agreement and to the Client's, Customer's and Sodexo’s satisfaction.

• Present a smart and professional image at all times.

• Ensure that all food is prepared with due care and attention, particularly in regard to customers’ special dietary requirements: for example, nut, dairy or wheat allergies. Food items to be presented to at least the minimum standards set out in the Style Guide

• Organize any special function as required and to the correct standard, some of which may occur outside of normal working hours.

• Establish and maintain satisfactory relationships with individuals at all levels within the Company and the Client organization.

• Implement and maintain the Statutory and Company standards of food and personal hygiene, health and safety and take any action as is necessary.

• Utilization of the schools closed Facebook “Dishin it out” application to post activity and to gain best practice ideas from business colleagues is highly advised.

• Attend to any reasonable requests made by the Account Manager.

• Relieve and assist in other establishments in certain circumstances

• Attend meetings and training courses as requested. These may include travel and/or overnight accommodation which Sodexo will cover the costs for.
  

What You Bring:

Essential:

• Experience cooking on a large scale (100–1300 students)

• Experience following recipes in a professional kitchen

• Prior staff supervision or line management experience

• Strong knowledge of fresh produce and ingredient preparation

• Understanding of health and safety regulations and the ability to enforce them

• Ability to work under pressure in a busy kitchen environment

• Positive leadership, professionalism, and a passion for food

• Hold basic food handling certifications, including:

  • NVQ Level 2

  • Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

• At least one year of hands‑on cooking experience (Training in Food Hygiene and Health & Safety provided)

What We Offer:

• A dynamic and supportive work environment

• Competitive salary and benefits

• Full training and protective uniform provided

• No unsociable hours and public holidays off—including Christmas!

• Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support

• Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support

• Discounts, cashback schemes, and financial benefits

• Career progression, learning opportunities, and apprenticeships

• Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunities

At Sodexo, we believe everyone deserves a place to belong. This isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. If you’re ready to lead with passion and cook with purpose, we want to hear from you!

Apply today and help us create a brighter future!

Note:

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding children. All roles require pre‑employment screening, including DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and past employer checks.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.