Cook

Sodexo Ltd; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider in London is seeking a passionate Cook to oversee kitchen operations at Oasis Academy. You will manage a large-scale kitchen, inspire your team, and ensure high-quality food for students. The ideal candidate has extensive cooking experience, leadership skills, and must hold basic food handling certifications. This is a full-time position offering a dynamic work environment with competitive salary and benefits including public holidays off.

Benefits

Dynamic and supportive work environment

Competitive salary and benefits

Full training and protective uniform provided

Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

Career progression and learning opportunities

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering 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 is necessary.
• 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 passion for food.
• Stock control is essential.
• At least one year of hands-on cooking experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee food replenishment and maintain cleanliness.
• Develop and train kitchen staff.
• Manage catering operations, including costs.
• Ensure consistency in food quality and service.
• Lead menu creation.
• Conduct audits for compliance with food safety regulations.

Skills

Large scale cooking experience

Recipe following

Staff supervision

Knowledge of fresh produce

Health and safety understanding

Ability to work under pressure

Positive leadership

Stock control

Education

NVQ Level 2

Level 2 Food Safety Certificate

Job description

Overview

Cook - Lead with Passion, Cook with Purpose!

Location: Oasis Academy Silvertown, 303 Northwoolwich Road, London, E16 2BB

Salary: £13.85 per hour

Hours: 32.5 hours per week

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday 8:30-15:00

Are you ready to take the lead in a kitchen where food fuels not just bodies but bright futures? As a Cook for Sodexo, you'll be at the heart of the school, overseeing food and beverage operations, managing budgets, and ensuring every meal is top-tier. Your leadership will inspire your team daily, creating a dynamic and productive work environment. Best of all? No unsociable hours and public holidays off—including Christmas!

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

• Oversee the replenishment of food and ensure work areas are cleaned and maintained to a high standard

• Develop, mentor, and train kitchen staff to foster an inspiring team culture

• Manage and optimise all aspects of the catering operation, including labour, food, and stock costs

• Maintain consistency in food quality and service standards for staff, visitors, and students

• Lead menu creation and development to keep offerings fresh and exciting

• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations

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

• Stock control

• 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.