Chef

Blue Arrow; Ashford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A catering and hospitality organization is looking for a dedicated professional to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and maintain cleanliness in a children's residential activity centre. Responsibilities include preparing meals, managing dietary needs, and leading catering staff. Applicants should possess strong leadership skills and experience in food service. The position promises to create memorable experiences for young people while ensuring high-quality food delivery in a safe environment.

Benefits

Disability Confident Employer

Professional development opportunities

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Experience with food preparation and service in compliance with health and safety standards.
• Ability to manage dietary needs and ensure quality food delivery.
• Leadership skills to oversee and develop junior catering staff.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations in food preparation.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in the catering area.
• Lead and develop the catering team in manager's absence.
• Monitor food quality and manage dietary requirements.
• Contribute to the operation of the residential activity centre.

Job description

Main purpose of the role:

You’ll be creating unforgettable learning and adventure experiences that make a real difference to the lives of young people. Our incredible team has always been the secret to our success. Our people are our future, and we take great pride in matching your hard work with a promise to look after you and your career.

Responsibilities:

Compliance: To ensure that food preparation and service meets all regulation and policy regarding health & safety, food safety / HACCP, allergen management, and company standards.

• Adhere to procedures for storing, preparing, cooking, and serving food, including labelling, temperature checks, and allergy management.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene, following cleaning schedules and identifying improvements.
• Accurately complete due diligence records, taking corrective actions when necessary to ensure food safety.
• Operate according to standard operating procedures, HACCP plan, Safe Systems of Work, and health & safety training to maintain a safe environment.

Customer: To focus on all customers including guests, colleagues and visitors - meeting medical dietary needs and ensuring quality of food delivery.

• Ensure meal preparation and stocking meet anticipated volumes, maintaining appetising offerings.
• Maintain consistency in food preparation, cooking, and presentation throughout shifts.
• Provide suitable provisions for those with specific medical dietary needs, overseeing all aspects of food delivery and cleanliness.
• Conduct pre‑shift briefings for colleagues, addressing dish details, portion sizes, allergens, and dietary requests, while actively monitoring food quality and addressing any issues during service.

Colleague / Commercial: Contribute to the development and management of the catering team and department resources. Assist and encourage the development of Assistant Chefs and Catering Assistants, while assuming leadership duties in the absence of the Catering Manager or Head Chef.

• Take control of stock management during shifts and prepare food according to production plans and guidance from management, focusing on waste and cost control.
• Utilise Nutritics recipe management software for recipe scaling and understand safe methods for food chilling, reheating, or repurposing to minimise waste.
• Maintain equipment and uphold a healthy, safe working environment, delegating tasks effectively to meet departmental requirements and addressing any issues promptly.

Manage yourself: Improve own CPD and carry out other duties required for the running of centre operations.

• Work with Catering Management to ensure accurate reporting of medical dietary needs and implement post‑audit action plans.
• Serve as a positive role model for catering assistants, continually seeking personal development and applying learned skills to enhance centre operations.
• Participate in the management of the catering department by attending meetings, fulfilling duties as directed, and dealing effectively with emergencies.

Assist with centre specific duties associated with a children's residential activity centre:

• Contribute at a senior level to the overall operation of a residential activity centre, handling guest and colleague queries, emergencies, and providing assistance across departments and other centres as needed.

We pride ourselves on hiring the best people, and recognise the importance and benefits of a diverse team. However, the protection and safeguarding of our colleagues and the young people visiting our centres is our primary concern. We are required to obtain satisfactory enhanced checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS or PVG in Scotland), which we will pay for. You should only apply if you are able to provide references and are happy to have your criminal record checks carried out.

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.