Chef Manager

Heron Hall Academy; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Heron Hall Academy in London seeks an experienced Chef Manager to lead the day-to-day running of the school kitchen, ensuring high standards of food preparation, service, hygiene and allergen management.

Working with the Head of Catering and team, you will provide high-quality meals for pupils and staff in a safe, clean environment. The role rewards reliability, organisation and a commitment to safeguarding and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy kitchen or catering environment.
• Strong understanding of food hygiene, allergens and safety.
• Ability to follow menus and recipes accurately.
• Organised, proactive and capable of leading a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations and maintain high standards.
• Ensure hygiene, food safety and allergen controls.
• Support Head of Catering and catering team to deliver meals.
• Communicate effectively with pupils, staff and colleagues.
• Respond flexibly to changing needs of a busy academy.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Food hygiene

Allergen management

Menu follow

Task organisation

Communication

Teamwork

Safeguarding & safety

Punctuality

Proactive attitude

Job description

Why join us?

Heron Hall Academy is an ambitious, eight-form entry mixed secondary school and a proud part of North Star Community Trust , a family of schools built on the belief that we are Stronger Together. The Trust plays a vital role in the communities it serves, creating real, lasting change through education, opportunity and support.

At Heron Hall, we share the Trust’s vision - to help every child succeed at school and in life. We live by the values of Education, Community, Opportunity , ensuring every pupil receives an excellent education, feels part of a strong and caring community, and has the chance to grow into a confident, well-rounded individual. As soon as you enter Heron Hall, you feel the pride, purpose and unity that define us. Our high standards and inclusive culture ensure that every pupil is supported, challenged and inspired to reach their full potential. We believe in every child and together, with North Star Community Trust, we help them believe in themselves.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Chef Manager to join the catering team at Heron Hall Academy. You will take a leading role in the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring high standards of food preparation, service, hygiene, food safety and allergen management.

Working closely with the Head of Catering and wider catering team, you will help provide high-quality meals for pupils and staff while maintaining a safe, clean and efficient kitchen environment.

If you are organised, reliable and passionate about delivering excellent catering services, we would love to hear from you.

What we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced and reliable catering professional who can work confidently in a busy kitchen environment and help maintain high standards across the catering service. The successful candidate will:

• Have experience working in a busy kitchen, catering or food preparation environment.
• Have a good understanding of food hygiene, food safety, allergen requirements and safe working practices.
• Be able to follow menus, recipes and established catering procedures accurately.
• Have the ability to organise and prioritise tasks while maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
• Be confident using kitchen equipment safely and appropriately.
• Be able to remain calm, professional and solution-focused when working under pressure.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with pupils, staff and colleagues.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team and contribute to a positive kitchen environment.
• Be committed to providing high-quality food and an efficient catering service for pupils and staff.
• Understand the importance of safeguarding, health and safety, equality and inclusion within a school environment.
• Be punctual, dependable, proactive and willing to respond to the changing needs of a busy academy.
• Have a positive attitude and a commitment to professional development and continuous improvement.

What we offer

We are committed to being a supportive, caring and rewarding place to work and learn, and to being an employer of choice. A full overview of our offer, including staff benefits, our People Plan and what our staff say about working with us, can be found in the supporting documents attached.

Safeguarding statement

We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. As part of our recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to undergo safer recruitment checks, including enhanced clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and any other pre-employment checks relevant to their role.

Equal opportunities

We are committed to fostering a positive and inclusive working culture that reflects our Trust's ethos of being ‘Stronger Together.’ The Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all. It aims to create a working environment in which all individuals are able to make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.

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