dedicated Cook

Outcomes First Group; Tamworth; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Flexible Benefits (Vista)

Cycle to Work

Electric Car Purchase

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Job summary

Outcomes First Group in Tamworth is seeking a passionate Cook for our specialist FE setting, providing nutritious meals that support wellbeing, independence and development of our students. This role emphasizes inclusive dining, meeting dietary, cultural, medical and sensory needs within a supportive team.

Join a collaborative kitchen environment with a strong focus on food safety, hygiene, and continuous service improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering/education/residential environment.
• Ability to plan nutritious menus within food safety regulations.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise.
• Experience leading and supporting kitchen staff, including students.
• Willingness to work towards relevant catering qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve nutritious meals tailored to dietary and medical needs.
• Maintain high food hygiene, health and safety standards.
• Manage stock, orders and records.
• Lead kitchen staff and supervise students on work experience.
• Monitor allergens, portions, waste and budget-friendly planning.
• Collaborate with education, residential and therapy teams to support student needs.
• Ensure kitchen equipment is used safely and report faults.
• Contribute to training and quality assurance activities.

Skills

Food safety

Menu planning

Team leadership

Stock management

Allergen management

Collaboration with teams

Time management

Reliability

Education

Catering qualification

Food Hygiene qualification

Job description

What you will be doing

Are you a passionate cook who believes great food can make a real difference? We're looking for a dedicated Cook to join our specialist further education setting, providing fresh, nutritious, and enjoyable meals that support the wellbeing, independence, and development of our students. This is more than a catering role. You'll play an important part in creating a positive dining experience, ensuring every student has access to meals that meet their individual dietary, cultural, medical, and sensory needs. Working as part of a supportive team, you'll help maintain the highest standards of food quality, hygiene, and safety while contributing to a welcoming and inclusive college environment.

• Preparing and serving nutritious, high-quality meals tailored to individual dietary and medical needs.
• Maintaining excellent food hygiene, health and safety, and infection control standards.
• Managing stock, ordering supplies, and keeping accurate catering records.
• Leading and supporting kitchen staff, including students undertaking work experience placements.
• Monitoring allergens, portion control, food waste, and budget-effective meal planning.
• Working closely with education, residential, pastoral, and therapy teams to support student needs.
• Ensuring kitchen equipment is used safely and reporting any faults or concerns promptly.
• Contributing to staff training, quality assurance activities, and continuous service improvement.
• Have experience in a catering, education, care, residential, or similar environment.
• Are confident planning nutritious menus and working within food safety regulations.
• Have strong organisational skills and can manage competing priorities effectively.
• Enjoy leading and supporting others within a busy kitchen environment.
• Are proactive, reliable, and committed to delivering an excellent service.
• Can build positive working relationships and work collaboratively across teams.
• Hold, or are willing to work towards, relevant catering and food hygiene qualifications.
• We are proud to be part of Options Autism, which for over 19 years has delivered specialist care and education for children, young people and adults with autism and complex needs. Together, we are part of Outcomes First Group, pioneers of innovative, evidence-based approaches that create meaningful, measurable outcomes.

In 2025, Outcomes First Group was officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running - something we're incredibly proud of.

We place students and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including: + Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits + Hundreds of UK and international discounts + Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme + Critical illness cover + Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support