Deputy Catering Manager / Head Chef

Smile Education; Smethwick; Presencial; GBP 28.000 - 30.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Competitive salary

ASAP start

Descripción de la vacante

Smile Education in Smethwick, West Midlands, is seeking a Deputy Catering Manager / Head Chef to lead a busy school kitchen in term-time plus 3 weeks. Salary £28,000–£30,000, ASAP start. You will manage day-to-day operations, develop menus, and lead a catering team to deliver nutritious meals for students and staff.

The role combines hands-on cooking with leadership responsibilities, emphasizing food safety, allergen management, and a positive dining experience in an education setting.

Formación

• Experience as Head Chef, Sous Chef, Senior Chef or in a catering management role.
• Strong practical cooking skills and a passion for quality food.
• Experience in a busy, high-volume kitchen.
• Experience supervising a team.
• Good knowledge of food hygiene, health and allergen requirements.
• Ability to organise kitchen operations and work under pressure.
• Hands-on approach with excellent communication.

Responsabilidades

• Support day-to-day management and smooth running of the school kitchen.
• Hands-on role in preparing, cooking and presenting high-quality meals.
• Develop exciting, nutritious and varied menus for students.
• Supervise catering staff and organise workloads effectively.
• Maintain food hygiene, health and safety standards.
• Monitor food quality, portion control and presentation.
• Assist with stock control, ordering ingredients and minimising waste.
• Ensure dietary requirements and allergies are carefully managed.
• Support catering for school events, meetings and activities.
• Motivate, train and develop the wider catering team.

Conocimientos

Cooking

Leadership

Team supervision

Communication

Food hygiene

Menu development

Descripción del empleo

Deputy Catering Manager / Head Chef – Education

Location: Smethwick, West Midlands

Salary: £28,000–£30,000 per annum (proposed)

Contract: Full-time – Term Time + 3 Weeks

Start Date: ASAP

Are you a talented Chef with leadership experience who is ready to take the next step in your catering career?

Smile Education is recruiting for a fantastic opportunity within a well-established educational setting in Smethwick. We are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Deputy Catering Manager / Head Chef to support the management and delivery of a busy school catering service.

This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate food professional who enjoys being hands‑on in the kitchen, developing menus, supporting a catering team and delivering delicious, nutritious meals to students and staff.

Whether you're currently a Head Chef, Sous Chef, Senior Chef or Deputy Catering Manager, we'd love to hear from you!

The Role – What Will You Be Doing?

Working closely with the Catering Manager, you will play an important role in the daily running of the kitchen and catering operation.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the day-to-day management and smooth running of the school kitchen.
• Taking a hands‑on role in preparing, cooking and presenting high-quality meals.
• Helping develop exciting, nutritious and varied menus that appeal to students.
• Supporting and supervising catering staff, ensuring workloads are organised effectively.
• Maintaining excellent food hygiene, health and safety standards throughout the kitchen.
• Monitoring food quality, portion control and presentation.
• Assisting with stock control, ordering ingredients and minimising food wastage.
• Ensuring dietary requirements and food allergies are carefully managed.
• Supporting catering provision for school events, meetings and additional activities.
• Helping motivate, train and develop the wider catering team.

What We're Looking For:

• Previous experience working as a Head Chef, Sous Chef, Senior Chef or within a catering management position.
• Strong practical cooking skills and a passion for producing quality food.
• Experience working in a busy, high-volume kitchen environment.
• Previous experience supporting or supervising a team.
• Good knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety and allergen requirements.
• The ability to organise kitchen operations and work effectively under pressure.
• A positive, hands‑on approach with excellent communication skills.
• Someone who takes pride in their work and enjoys creating a positive dining experience.

Experience within school, college, healthcare or contract catering would be advantageous, although candidates from hospitality and restaurant backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary, proposed at £28,000–£30,000 per annum.
• A rewarding opportunity within an education setting.
• The chance to develop your leadership and management experience.
• The opportunity to bring creativity to menus and food preparation.
• A supportive team environment.
• An ASAP start for the right candidate.

If you're a passionate Chef looking for a new opportunity where you can combine your culinary skills with team leadership, we'd love to hear from you!

Smile Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks.

SM1LES

We are committed to safeguarding children. Each applicant will be expected to undertake compliance checks including Prohibited list, Barred list, DBS and Qualifications.