Head Chef & School Cook

Stubbers Adventure Centre; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable outdoor activity provider in Greater London is seeking a full-time Head Chef to lead the catering department. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in high-volume food preparation to meet the needs of diverse groups. Responsibilities include menu planning, food ordering, managing kitchen staff, and ensuring compliance with food hygiene standards. Benefits include uniform provision, discounts for activities, and the chance to work in a vibrant environment that promotes healthy lifestyles.

Benefits

Uniform provided

Family membership card for activities

20% off all activities

Access to beautiful grounds

Team building and training opportunities

Two-week closure during Christmas

Qualifications

• Proficient in managing high-volume food preparation.
• Experienced in adhering to food safety regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a kitchen team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the kitchen team to prepare meals for up to 350 guests.
• Ensure high standards of food hygiene and safety.
• Interact with staff and residents to provide excellent customer service.
• Coordinate food ordering, stock control, and menu costing.

Skills

Team working skills

Communication skills

Ability to work in a high-pressure environment

Food allergy knowledge

Computer skills

Mentoring experience

Education

Current Level 2 food hygiene certificate

GCSE Maths and English or equivalent

Catering qualifications to City & Guild standards

Job description

We are seeking to appoint a full time Head chef/ Experienced school chef with high volume cooking experience to join our busy catering department. They need to be experienced in producing large quantities of food to a very high standard, extremely organised, friendly and approachable, with excellent food allergy knowledge, and happy to be part of team. Willing to assist in all aspects of the kitchen. Stubbers Adventure Centre needs to ensure their guests have the nutrition and energy they need for their action-packed adventure while staying with us, we cater for a wide variety of people including schools, youth groups, residential groups, and corporate groups. Serving up to 350 meals per service, always aiming to offer high quality homemade fresh food for our guests. Our F&B team are required to ensure every visitor is catered for taking into account dietary, allergy and religious requirements, taking responsibility that it is prepared, cooked, and served within food hygiene requirements. Our site is open all year, the menu changes seasonally with locally sourced or home-made products. When no residential groups are staying our head chef may be required to work within other areas of the F&B team outlets or other tasks onsite. We are situated in 130 acres of beautiful grounds and woodlands so being close to nature everyday is a bonus.

Key Responsibilities

• Interacting with residents and staff with excellent customer service skills.
• Leading the team to produce up to 350 healthy meals per service for our resident groups.
• Directing the kitchen team in providing high volumes of food on time.
• Food preparation, breakfast, lunch, evening meals.
• Food ordering and stock control.
• Food and menu costing.
• In-depth knowledge of food allergies and the law.
• Supervision and instruction of front and back of house team.
• Efficient food service following food safe guidelines.
• Maintaining kitchen cleanliest, general cleaning duties to maintain our 5-star food hygiene rating.
• Adaptable to switch between all our busy outlets on site when no residential groups are in occupancy.
• Working in a high energy environment.
• Being part of the whole Stubbers team delivering an excellent customer experience.
• We are open 7 days a week so weekend work will be a requirement.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

• Excellent team working skills.
• Good communication skills.
• Smartly presented.
• Current Level 2 or above food hygiene certificate.
• Experience working in a similar catering sector with high food volumes
• GCSE Maths and English or equivalent.
• Ability to work in a high-pressure environment
• Fully aware of latest food allergy regulations and laws.
• Computer skills
• Mentoring experience
• Formal catering qualifications to City & Guild standards
• Promotes a healthy living lifestyle

Benefits

• Excellent teamwork.
• Latest finish 8pm.
• High energy working environment.
• Uniform provided.
• Family membership card to Stubbers Adventure Centre for up to 4 guests.
• 20% off all activities
• Team building and training including online training portal.
• Excellent rates of pay.
• Christmas holiday period the centre is closed for 2 weeks.
• Access to beautiful grounds and woodlands.
• Working for a charity that promotes activity, healthy lifestyles and building confidence in individuals.

Situated in 130 acres of idyllic ground in rural Upminster, Stubbers Adventure Centre offers a great variety of adventure activities for School & Youth Groups, Children & Families and Adult & Corporate. Stubbers has the largest amount of onsite activities available in the South East where you can take part in adventurous activities such as Paddle Boarding or 4x4 Driving. If you want to work in a busy outdoor centre near London, where your skills make a big difference, come and work for us...