Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Job description

HEAD CHEF EDUCATOR JOB DESCRIPTION

To lead, innovate, motivate and work with a team whose aim is to serve fresh, interesting and nutritious school meals within budget which meet Government and the School’s standards at all times.

To lead on developing a food and cookery curriculum for the whole school and food related projects and have high aspirations for the future of food at School.

FOOD PREPARATION, QUALITY & STANDARDS

• To lead and work as part of a team preparing fresh food to meet the    specified standards.
• To prepare meals in accordance with an agreed seasonal 3-week menu cycle and to change this in accordance with the school food standards and allowing for allergen issues, ensuring full adherence to recipes, food presentation standards and portion control.
• To understand the needs of those pupils with special dietary requirements and ensure they are catered for.
• To work to deadlines to ensure meals are served promptly.
• To ensure that meals are presented and served in an attractive way.
• To ensure that work is carried out hygienically, safely and tidily at all times within the prevailing legislative framework.
• To help promote school lunches and uptake through taster days, parent events, newsletters, theme days and other events and methods.
• To support the School’s emphasis on pupils’ health and well-being.  To support on projects such as an herb garden on the school site and food recycling projects
• On occasion, and with agreement, to lead on food preparation for special events, which may be outside normal hours.
• To make regular contributions to breakfast club food and after school food provision within reasonable time constraints
• To lead cooking classes for children
• To liaise with school gardener on using school garden produce or instigate a gardening project if there isn’t already one in place.

ADMINISTRATION

• To be responsible for the financial and administrative tasks associated with ordering food and sundries, including checking delivery notes and invoices.
• To monitor, control and reduce waste and make recommendations to the Operations Manager for menu adjustments.
• To provide management information including the breakdown of meal numbers and meal costs on a weekly basis and on request.
• To conduct stock takes on a monthly basis and on request.
• To report any complaints or incidents to the School Business Manager or Headteacher.

HEALTH & SAFETY

• To ensure that policies and procedures with regard to health and safety and hygiene are understood.
• To ensure cleaning schedules are carried out.
• To wear correct uniform at all times.
• To ensure all kitchen equipment is maintained in good condition and any faults are reported to the School and the Business Manager.

MANAGEMENT

• To take all necessary steps to ensure the maximum security of kitchen supplies, equipment and monies.

CONDUCT

• To be familiar with all relevant School policies, rules, procedures, and any changes to these.
• To set a standard of behaviour to colleagues which is polite, honest and friendly.
• To deal with children in a polite, professional and friendly manner at all times and to seek guidance where necessary from Business Manager and the Headteacher

GENERAL

• Any other duties, which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the duties and responsibilities of the post.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of catering.      
• Previously managed, assisted or deputised own unit.   
• Experience of leading a team and training them in basic kitchen skills.           

KNOWLEDGE

• Good foundation and higher-level knowledge of food preparation methods    including: balancing meals, portioning, stock rotation and ordering.
• Strong knowledge of baking.
• Ability to cook to a high standard across multiple disciplines.
• Interest in cuisine and furthering knowledge of food.

SKILLS

• Ability to read and implement instructions, such as Health & Safety and     Food Hygiene regulations.
• Ability to create and help implement interesting and healthy menus.
• Able to use and clean machinery and light equipment.
• Demonstrate a willingness and enthusiasm for training and progression.
• Able to encourage children to select a balanced meal.
• Able to communicate and relate well with all kitchen, school staff and pupils.
• Able to train staff in basic kitchen skills.
• Able to plan and run cooking classes and impart knowledge and skills.

• Able to work on own and within a team.
• Able to lead and motivate staff.
• Display a commitment to the Council’s equalities policies.
• Display and maintain a high standard of personal hygiene.
• Work effectively in a busy environment.

 

 

 

Application information

How to Apply

Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details.

Visit our website to download an application form: www.hawkswoodgroup.org.uk

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Joe Tousent – Headteacher, North Birkbeck School on 0208 373 6426.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged.

Please send completed application forms to recruitment@hawkswoodgroup.org.uk

Please mention Roots to Work when applying for these jobs