Chef Manager (reference: SCC/TP/287916/3072)

Surrey County Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate kitchen team leader to create delicious, nutritious meals for school children. This role allows you to inspire a team, manage kitchen operations, and promote healthy eating habits. With a focus on creativity and teamwork, you'll ensure that every dish not only tastes great but also supports children's health and well-being. Join a supportive environment that values work-life balance and offers opportunities for training and development. If you have a love for cooking and a commitment to quality, this role is perfect for you!

Benefits

Final salary pension

Discounts on various services

Health and wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

Full induction

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Passion for cooking and delivering high-quality meals.
• Health and Safety knowledge in a kitchen environment.
• Experience in supervising kitchen staff.

Responsibilities

• Inspire a team to create outstanding menus with fresh ingredients.
• Manage stock, order supplies, and run a smooth kitchen.
• Promote healthy eating and provide nutritious meals for children.

Skills

Cooking skills

Health and Safety Certificate Level 1

Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking

IT and administrative skills

Excellent communication skills

Experience supervising staff

Experience using catering equipment

Time management skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking

Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

Job description

Description

This role is based at St Marys School in Long Ditton, Surbiton. Though you will only work during term-time, you will be paid a salary every month including school holidays.

This role has a starting salary of £15,707 per annum for working 27.50 hours per week, 38.4 weeks per year (equivalent to £12.93 per hour, plus annual leave allowance).

Rewards and Benefits

• Final salary pension
• Discounts on various services including food shopping
• Health and wellbeing support
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Full induction
• Term time only hours that allow for good work/life balance
• Training and development opportunities, including a Level 3 Food Hygiene Qualification.

About the Role

Using your passion, creativity and enthusiasm, you will inspire a team to produce an outstanding menu using fresh ingredients. In addition to creating great dishes, you will record meal transactions, control and administer stock, order food and sundry supplies, and take responsibility for the day-to-day running of a smooth kitchen. Your main goal will be to provide school children with tasty, nutritious meals that promote healthy bodies and minds.

Customer service is central to the Twelve15 Vision and Mission. You will be a fantastic communicator, able to work with school clients and customers to promote the benefits of our service.

Key Skills

• A passion and skill for cooking, capable of delivering high-quality meals in a food production environment
• Health and Safety Certificate Level 1, with proven understanding of kitchen safety
• Level 2 Food Safety Certificate
• NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking or equivalent
• IT and administrative skills
• Excellent communication skills, including teamwork, leadership, and customer service
• Experience supervising staff and managing a kitchen
• Experience using catering equipment and training others
• Excellent time management and flexibility regarding locations

We welcome additional skills, interests, or knowledge, such as expertise in allergies or nutrition. If you have extensive experience managing large groups in catering, even without formal qualifications, please apply!

Shortlisting

To be considered, your CV and responses to the following questions should clearly demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and qualifications:

• Why is healthy eating important for children, and what is the impact of healthy school meals?
• Describe your experience working in a kitchen, including your role in food production.
• Detail your experience supervising or managing staff responsible for large-scale food production.
• List relevant skills and qualifications for this role.

Contact Us

For questions about the role, including flexible working, transferable skills, or barriers to employment, please contact us.

The application deadline is 23:59 on 11/05/2025, with interviews to follow.

We look forward to your application. Please click the 'apply online' button below to submit.

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organization. Discover more about our values.

We recommend reading the job description and the Surrey Life at Surrey handbook, which provides insights into our culture and how you can help shape our Council as a valued employee.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants who meet the role's minimum criteria and choose to disclose their disability. Our application process allows for reasonable adjustments for interviews and roles.

We aim to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.