School Cook

senploy; Haltwhistle; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Employee Discount Scheme

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

North Lakes Children's Services is seeking an experienced School Cook to join our friendly local team. The role involves preparing healthy menus, managing stock and costs, and ensuring high hygiene standards in a school kitchen.

This full-time position runs during term time plus one extra week in school holidays. A part-time option may be considered for job-share arrangements. Driving licence may be required for site access in Haltwhistle.

Qualifications

• Experience cooking in a commercial or professional kitchen, ideally in a school or similar environment.
• Ability to prepare high-quality, healthy meals in line with a school menu.
• Ability to work within an agreed budget and order products as required.
• Ability to cater for a range of dietary requirements.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle may be required if not local.

Responsibilities

• Prepare innovative, healthy menus meeting our pupils' needs.
• Manage ordering, stock levels, stock rotation and cost control.
• Ensure all food safety standards are followed.
• Supervise kitchen staff and assist with training.
• Serve meals and provide a welcoming environment for pupils.

Skills

Commercial kitchen cooking

Menu planning

Budget management

Dietary requirements

Teamwork

Hygiene compliance

Manual handling

Independent work

Driving licence (optional)

Job description

Contract: Full Time, Term Time plus one additional week during school holidays

Hours: 8:30am - 4:00pm

About Us

North Lakes Children's Services is a well-established local provider of therapeutic residential care and education for boys aged 6-18. We improve the resilience, self-esteem and abilities of all the young people we work with.

We are currently seeking an experienced Cook to join our friendly local team. If you have excellent attention to detail, high standards and a desire to do your job to the best of your ability every day, a School Cook role may be the perfect job for you.

We will also consider part-time candidates who are looking for a job-share arrangement.

Main Duties

• Prepare innovative, healthy menus that meet the needs of our pupils
• Manage ordering, stock levels, stock rotation and cost control
• Ensure all food safety standards are followed
• Manage allergen and dietary requirements appropriately
• Supervise kitchen assistant staff
• Serve meals and provide a welcoming environment for pupils

Requirements

• Experience of cooking in a commercial or professional kitchen, ideally within a school kitchen or similar environment
• Ability to prepare high-quality, healthy meals in line with a school menu
• Ability to work within an agreed budget and order products when required
• Ability to cater for a range of dietary requirements
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Able or willing to use kitchen equipment
• Aware of kitchen hygiene rules
• Ability to undertake the physical aspects of the role, including carrying stock to and from the cellar in line with safe manual-handling practices
• Able to work unsupervised and deliver good-quality work
• Ability to follow instructions, complete tasks and use your own initiative
• Reliable access to the site. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle may be required if you do not live locally in Haltwhistle, as the site is rather remote
• Term time plus one additional week during school holidays
• Company pension
• Employee Discount Scheme
• Access to training and development opportunities

North Lakes is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

North Lakes is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.