Head Chef

Job Introduction

Would you like to part of a growing, best in class business?  Passionate about fine dining and delivering a high-quality service? 

We have a career enhancing opportunity for a Head Chef. Based at Woldingham School (junction 6 off the m25) - set in 700 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside, this is one of the UK's leading day and boarding schools for girls.

This role blends leadership, stakeholder management and developing culinary strategies.

What’s in it for you?

• Critical to the growth and evolution of a prestigious school
• Inspiring location
• Collaboration with the senior team
• First-rate facilities
• Competitive salary – £32,000 - £34,000

Role Responsibility

• To deputise for the Executive Chef in their absence
• During preparation and service periods to take an active role in ensuring that excellent levels of service are delivered to the customer.
• When required organise and lead the preparation and presentation of all meals service at the required times and to the required high standard.
• Organise any special functions as required, some of which may occur outside of normal working hours
• To ensure that the Company and Statutory Regulations pertaining to the safe and hygienic operation of the kitchen and ancillary areas are adhered to by all members of staff and visitors in the absence of management.
• Responsibilities for effective menu planning, ensuring the needs of staff, senior and junior pupils are met.
• Assisting with hospitality, chef rotas, orders, and receiving, checking and storing deliveries.
• Fully engage with the Independents by Sodexo and Fresh Food From scratch offer
• Ensure all allergen information is pertinent, available and continually updated.
• To ensure all staff are always working hygienically.

Location:

Direct trains to central London and onsite parking available. Junction 6 off the m25.

Shift outline:

This is a 5/7 operation 52 weeks per year, with groups and weddings in school holidays. There will be an expectation of doing one weekend in 3 or 4 dependent on the requirement. Flexibility is key.

Environment:

Woldingham is set within 700 acres of the most beautiful Surrey countryside providing space to explore, space to roam and space to think. The 19th century main building sits alongside purpose-built science labs, humanities and language hubs, studios for art, drama and music, and a 600-seat auditorium.

The Ideal Candidate

• Experienced Chef who has led and operated in a busy, client facing environment
• Direct management experience of chef/kitchen brigade
• Experience of managing an overall budget
• Ownership and accountability of the role and that of their team
• Computer literate
• Ability to work efficiently and competently under pressure
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Able to demonstrate positive attitude to self-development, willingness to learn in the role and identify own training needs.
• High level of self-motivation and not constrained by conventional time keeping.
• 706/2 or NVQ chef qualifications, or equivalent
• Strong ability to increase individual effectiveness through leadership, motivation, communication, coaching, training and knowledge of the NVQ system
• Experience of change management

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. This role will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland. 

Package Description

£27,300 - £34,000 per annum plus excellent benefits

We also offer Sodexo Discounts site promoting discounted mobile phone tariffs, savings across restaurant chains and days out, where you and your family can save money on everything from your weekly food shop to the latest cinema blockbuster and much more

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 36,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the energy, corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

At Sodexo we are committed to a leading role in promoting equality opportunities and valuing diversity and inclusion. We seek to create a work environment based on mutual respect for all individuals, building a culture that appreciates and values the experiences and skills brought by each person to benefit our organisation and work hard to ensure that all people, whatever their race, colour, sex, gender identity  disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age, social class, educational background, employment status, working pattern, are welcome to and included within our organisation. 

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process.