Catering & Events Chef

The Aurora Group; Minehead; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A training hotel for young people is seeking a Catering & Events Chef to manage the Flying Fox mobile catering van. This role offers a unique opportunity to support students with disabilities, delivering high-quality food and service at various events. Experience in catering is essential, along with a valid UK driving licence. The role includes mentoring students, ensuring compliance with food safety standards, and maintaining accurate records. The position offers numerous benefits including continued training and funded qualifications.

Benefits

Continued training and support

Opportunity to gain qualifications funded by the company

Discounts on accommodation, hot drinks, and food at Foxes Hotel

Life assurance and pension

Health cash back plan

Car lease scheme

Bike to work scheme

Perk box

Free parking

Qualifications

• Experience working with or supporting young people or individuals with SEND is desirable.
• Valid UK driving licence with the ability to drive a 3.5 tonne vehicle is required.

Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of the catering van, ensuring high standards of food hygiene.
• Provide structured opportunities for students to participate in catering van operations.
• Maintain accurate records of van activities, including sales and student participation.

Skills

Experience in catering, hospitality, or mobile food operations

Strong understanding of food safety

Excellent organisational and communication skills

Flexible and customer-focused approach

Education

Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 minimum)

Level 2 in English and Maths

Job description

Overview

Catering & Events Chef – Aurora Foxes
Location: Minehead, Somerset
Salary: £,. - £,. Depending on experience and qualifications
Hours: hours per week, weeks

Welcome to Aurora Foxes, a specialist college and training hotel for young people with learning disabilities, situated in the friendly seaside town of Minehead. Foxes is a very special place. This is a bespoke role to manage the Flying Fox, our mobile food truck to broaden the experiences for our students by attending events and festivals. This is a unique opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of our young people in an operational hotel environment that supports our students to learn the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to successfully shape their own future. Our aim is to equip our young adults with the life and hospitality skills to become work ready, life ready.

The Role

The main purpose of the role: To lead the daily operations of The Flying Fox catering van, delivering high-quality food and customer service at a variety of internal and external events. This role combines hands-on mobile catering with a strong focus on supporting students to gain real-world experience in food preparation, service, and enterprise. The Van Operative plays a vital role in extending Aurora Foxes’ vocational learning into the community, promoting inclusion, employability, and professional standards in a dynamic, mobile setting. You will help achieve our mission which is to equip young adults with learning disabilities to find sustainable employment in the hospitality sector and to live independently. You will always promote a professional attitude and approach with students and support staff, to enable students to develop the skills required to be work ready, life ready.

Key responsibilities

• Catering and Operational Delivery: Manage the day-to-day running of the catering van, ensuring high standards of food hygiene, preparation, service, and presentation.
• Prepare, cook, and serve a consistent and appealing menu that aligns with event needs and customer expectations.
• Maintain stock control, ordering, and waste management in line with budget and sustainability targets.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, licensing, and health & safety legislation, including regular checks and documentation.
• Handle payments and cashing-up procedures accurately and securely.
• Operate the vehicle safely, ensuring it is clean, roadworthy, and ready for each scheduled event.

Student Learning, Mentorship & Community

• Provide structured opportunities for students to participate in catering van operations, with clear guidance and positive reinforcement.
• Model excellent customer service, time management, and kitchen practices to support student learning outcomes.
• Work with education and support staff to align van activities with curriculum goals and student progression.
• Offer regular feedback on student performance and contribute to progress tracking as needed.
• Represent Aurora Foxes professionally at external events, creating positive interactions with the public and showcasing student potential.
• Support the setup and breakdown of van activities at events such as markets, festivals, school functions, and pop-ups.
• Contribute to the promotion and development of The Flying Fox as an enterprise, building relationships with local businesses and community groups.

Administrative & Compliance

• Maintain accurate records of van activities, including sales, incidents, student participation, and vehicle maintenance.
• Support data collection for reporting and evaluating the impact and financial performance of the initiative.
• Attend meetings, training, and planning sessions related to operational delivery and student outcomes.

Skills and Qualifications

• Experience in catering, hospitality, or mobile food operations.
• Valid UK driving licence (ideally a clean driving record with ability to drive a 3.5 tonne vehicle).
• Strong understanding of food safety, health and hygiene practices.
• Experience working with or supporting young people or individuals with SEND (desirable).
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Flexible, practical, and customer-focused approach.
• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 minimum) or willingness to obtain.
• Level 2 in English and Maths (or willingness to work towards).

Benefits and Additional Information

• Continued training and support
• Opportunity to gain qualifications, which will be funded by us
• Discounts on accommodation, hot drinks and food at Foxes Hotel
• Life assurance and pension
• Health cash back plan
• Car lease scheme
• Bike to work scheme
• Perk box
• Free parking

Apply / Enquiries

If you are interested in this role please apply online and complete our application form. For more information on this position please contact us.