Head Chef

Head Chef

Grove Academy is an exciting new all-through free school that opened in September 2017 when we welcomed our first cohort of student. We will continue to grow every year until the academy is fully subscribed in 2023. 

The successful candidate will have a passion for menu planning, cooking high quality meals, managing a small brigade, budgeting and developing and motivating others. 

The successful candidate will: 

• Preparing school meals- Breakfast, Bistro and Lunch
• General running of the kitchen
• Managing staff sickness and requests
• Observe school security and health and safety arrangements. 
• Understand and carry out the procedures for reporting serious incidents. 
• Undertake any other reasonable duties.

Responsible for the operational efficiency of the day to day running of the Catering department. Planning, preparation and presentation of food and beverages to the required standard within the budget limitations as agreed with the school management. Maintenance of the highest standards of staff management, hygiene and health and safety.

      CATERING

1. Be responsible for the day to day running of the catering operation.
2. Be responsible for the preparation and presentation of all food to the required statutory regulations and school standards in line with the school’s vision and wider curriculum.
3. Ensure that methods of preparation and presentation comply with current recognised catering standards and food safety legislation.
4. Order raw materials and supplies, check deliveries and ensure all raw and cooked food is stored correctly.
5. Ensure all Catering Assistants carry out the preparation and cooking of all meals to the recipe specifications and nutritional guidelines.
6. Ensure all catering staff adhere to the portion standard yields as stated within the recipe specification and required by the school.
7. Be responsible for the monitoring of menu planning and ordering.
8. Ensure the prompt service of all meals, breaks and functions provided, as required by the Catering Manager/Headteacher.
9. Implement local promotions/theme days, as required.
10. Ensure that all catering activities are carried out in line with the pre-agreed school budget.
11. Ensure any comments regarding the catering operation – positive or otherwise, are noted and acted upon appropriately.
12. Purchase all supplies through agreed suppliers and advise the Catering Manager of any unsolved difficulties with suppliers
13. Be responsible for stock control and rotation of stock.
14. Periodically organise special functions, which may be outside of normal working hours.

       COMMUNICATION

1.      Maintain regular contact with the Trust Catering Manager and Business and Operations Manager.

2.      Actively monitor satisfaction with food and respond to feedback.

3.      Hold regular team meetings/briefings with all catering staff and liaise with senior managers as required.

4.      Be responsible for the immediate reporting of staff absences to the HR department.

         TEAM LEADERSHIP

1.      Assist with the induction of all new members of the catering staff.

2.      Assist with the monitoring of staff performance, providing training and development as necessary.

3.      Be involved in the discipline of staff in accordance with the School Procedure, as required.

         HEALTH AND SAFETY

1.      Report all accidents and unfit foods.

2.      Ensure that all aspects of health and safety legislation are complied with so far as the catering service

     is concerned.

3.      Ensure that the cleaning schedule is complied with and carry out cleaning as required.

4.      Ensure compliance with Food Hygiene Management system including daily monitoring records.

         OTHER

1. Take all necessary steps to ensure maximum security of kitchen supplies and equipment.
2. Undertake the appropriate promotion and marketing of the catering service.
3. Identify and recommend improvements and cost savings to the benefit of the school.
4. Participate in the performance and development review process, taking personal responsibility

for identification of learning, development and training opportunities in discussion with the Catering manager.

1. Ensure that all duties and services provided are in accordance with the School’s Equal Opportunities framework.
2. Carry out any other duties as directed by the Headteacher, as may from time to time be agreed, in accordance with the nature of the job as described above.

Applications are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of gender, ethnicity or disability.

Applications will only be accepted from candidates who complete, in full, the application form. CV's will not be accepted in substitution for a completed application form.

Grove Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All staff will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.