Chef Cook

Call/email Alisdair at School Staffing to get a full job description with details of this Special Needs Schools' Group.

They are the sixth-largest provider of specialist educational services in the country, supporting over 900 children and young people, and employing over 1,000 staff.

Job Title: Chef Location: Darley, DerbySalary: Actual annual salary £25,415.39 - £28,457.17, dependent on experienceContract Type: Full-Time, Permanent, Term time only

Working Hours: 7.30am-4pm (40 working weeks per year)

Closing Date: Sunday 13th April

This is a specialist school in Derby dedicated to providing exceptional education and support for children and young people aged 5-19 with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) or additional social, emotional, and mental health needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Experience managing a catering environment with multiple and complex dietary requirements.
• Proven ability to plan and prepare nutritious, balanced, and varied menus.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety legislation, including COSHH, manual handling, and food hygiene.
• Experience in equipment maintenance and safety checks.
• Strong literacy, numeracy, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of kitchen equipment, stock management, and cleaning schedules.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and work flexibly.
• Commitment to the health, welfare, and safeguarding of children and young adults.

Requirements of the Role

• Eligibility to work in the UK.
• Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check with barred list clearance.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the role.
• Willingness to work outside normal hours for special functions when needed.
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certification (Level 3 desirable).
• Experience in cooking for 40-80 people.
• Willingness to develop within the role.
• Creativity in adapting meals for diverse dietary needs.
• Team player with a motivated, positive attitude.
• Will need to have some availability during the school holidays for deep cleaning

Key Duties

• Plan menus within budget while considering dietary requirements and preferences.
• Collaborate with the School Business Manager to develop best practices and future catering strategies.
• Ensure adherence to statutory regulations on food safety and hygiene across sites.
• Manage kitchen documentation, accounting, and administrative procedures.
• Create efficient staff rotas while considering team needs.
• Induct, train, and develop new kitchen staff, providing ongoing coaching and support.
• Maintain accurate food supply records and ensure effective stock rotation.
• Monitor and manage food deliveries, ensuring accuracy and proper storage.
• Maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment, planning deep cleans periodically.
• Ensure kitchen security and safe operation of all catering equipment.
• Organise and prepare for special functions, sometimes outside normal working hours.
• Report any equipment defects, hazards, or irregularities.
• Support education staff in encouraging young people to develop cooking skills.
• Attend meetings and training courses as required.

Benefits:

• • Life assurance
  • Enhanced pension scheme
  • Perkbox - offering high street discounts
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Car lease scheme
  • Fully funded training and qualifications
  • Bike to work scheme
  • Free membership to our Health cash back plan - Claim back money on services such as dental, optical, physio and many more.

School Staffing Solutions Recruitment Ltd is acting as an employment business for this position.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled.

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

As a result of the volume of applications, If we have not contacted you within two weeks of your application being received, then regretfully your application will not be taken forward on this occasion.