Chef manager jobs
Who we are
Chefs in Schools is a young, ambitious charity that’s rapidly growing. Our mission is to improve kids' health, through improving school food & food education. Working in areas of high deprivation, we support and train schools and their kitchen teams to serve the best, freshest and tastiest food possible, alongside meaningful food education. We share our learning and resources freely, aiming to inspire and enable others to follow our lead.
We’re backed by some of the biggest names in food and have ambitious targets to ensure every child has access to incredible school food and food education, setting them up for life with the skills and knowledge to feed themselves well.
About you and the role
This role will take our charity’s mission to a wider audience at an exciting time of development and growth. For a small communications team, we punch above our weight - regularly hitting the headlines, getting featured on agenda-setting news shows, receiving pro-bono support from renowned agencies and we have high-profile ambassadors, such as Prue Leith, Henry Dimbley and Thomasina Miers in our corner.
We need someone who’s creative, strategic and has great media contacts, or the knowhow to forge them, who can ensure a steady stream of coverage that gets our work in front of key audiences. This is an exciting time. Change is coming to school food - the government has committed to updating the school food standards and you’ll be part of the effort to transform the food kids eat in school every day. You’ll enjoy problem solving, crafting ideas and media opportunities, from stunts to stories.
You’ll be working on exciting projects, experience some incredible food and be surrounded by an ambitious, diverse and dynamic team, all passionate about the power great food and food education in schools has to shape and change young lives.
The responsibilities, skills and experience listed below are intended to give you an idea of what we need for this role. If you don’t meet every requirement but feel you would be able to work with us to deliver the majority of them, we urge you to apply anyway. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and for us the most important ‘experience’ is passion for our mission. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented communities, to apply.
We want to get to know you at the interview and understand we can do this best if you’re at ease. We’re an inclusive employer and work hard to create a welcoming working environment for everyone, including appointing a neurodiversity champion to help us identify how we can make our work environment work for everyone. If you need adjustments to the interview process please let us know.
As we work with children & young people, an offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and DBS clearance, in line with our safeguarding policy.
Key responsibilities:
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Work with the Head of Communications to develop and deliver content, media moments and campaigns that help raise awareness of our cause and achieve our wider strategic goals.
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Work closely with colleagues, school chefs and teachers to unearth compelling content that will connect with key audiences.
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Identify, create and secure opportunities for coverage of our charity’s mission in target publications and platforms.
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Create and deliver communications plans and assets.
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Build networks and contacts within mainstream, education and food-related traditional and social media platforms to secure proactive story and content placement.
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Deal with reactive media queries to tight deadlines, overseeing preparation of briefs and Q&As.
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Oversee the ongoing development of our website and work to improve user experience.
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Evaluate the success of campaigns, setting and tracking key metrics, feeding learnings back into future work in a cycle of continuous improvement.
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Monitor and control spending against delegated budget, clearing any anticipated variance with the Head of Communications in advance.
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Develop and deliver a patron and ambassador strategy.
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Oversee content creation for our online platforms, resources and marketing materials, ensuring brand consistency and appropriate audience targeting.
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Ensure any data collection via our website or other platforms is compliant with GDPR and any related or superseding legislation.
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Line manage and mentor the Communications Officer and Social Media Officer, with a commitment to ensuring their development.
Skills & experience:
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3+ years prior experience in a similar role.
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You have interest and belief in our mission to improve kids’ health through improving food and food education in schools.
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You are organised, methodical, strong on detail, and able to map out deadlines and plan ahead.
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Experience of line management in a hybrid working environment. You must be committed to developing the team.
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You have proven success designing and delivering communications plans and campaigns.
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You have experience successfully pitching stories and/or collaborations to media, journalists and influencers.
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You understand how to create engaging content - both written and visual.
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You spot opportunities for coverage and know how to make them happen.
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You’re up to date on media and communications trends and able to stay ahead of the curve.
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You’re capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
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You’re confident enough to deputise for the Head of Communications, such as deciding which reactive media queries to pursue, presenting at events and crisis management.
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You can constructively critique the work of others with an emphasis on learning and continuous improvement.
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You have excellent writing skills and communication skills.
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Experience of education media would be nice.
Benefits
You would be joining a friendly, supportive team who works hard but believe in a healthy work/life balance. We were voted one of CODE Hospitality’s happiest places to work in 2024. We seek a diverse range of perspectives, skills, experience and knowledge. Joining a small, collaborative team means you’ll be able to contribute to and draw on various projects and strategic insights.
We offer 33 days of holiday per year including bank holidays, 3 additional office closure days over the Christmas period as well as wellbeing days over the summer school holidays. We also have a Cycle to Work scheme, hybrid working, enhanced parental leave, and free access to the CODE app for discounted restaurants & hospitality venues. We are committed to developing our team and will support you with relevant training opportunities including £250 towards elective training and development of your choice.
We also offer Bupa Dental Insurance, Income Protection Insurance, as well as access to the Aviva Smart Health Platform which offers health benefits including free rapid access online GP appointments, free counselling and wellbeing support.
Application process
In line with our commitment to ensuring a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we invite candidates to answer a series of questions related to their day-to-day job. Please follow this link to answer the questions and submit your application along with your CV.
We recommend that you develop your answers offline and copy them in when you’re ready to ensure you don’t lose your work if interrupted.
Your answers will go through our sifting process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers. A long list of candidates will then additionally have their CVs reviewed. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 30 mins online interview. Successful candidates will be invited to attend a second, in-person interview at our office in Brixton, London.
For the first interview, we will ask you to submit a short written exercise.
Expected duration of this application process: 4-6 weeks
Registered Charity
11 - 20
We’re on a mission to transform kids’ health through food – plate by plate, class by class, school by school.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you committed to helping end homelessness and ensuring people with mental health conditions live life to the full? If you are creative, willing to be hands on and enjoy working with a wide range of tasks we want to hear from you.
Barons Court Project is seeking a Project Worker to join our friendly team at our Day Centre in Hammersmith and Fulham. This role is hands on but gives great variety. We split our work into three areas, Body, Mind and Spirit. Body - The practical services including showers, laundry, meals, clothing and more ensure we care for our guest's physical being. Mind - our one to one work including assisting guests with benefits forms, housing applications, CV Writing etc. Spirit - Activities around well-being including art, women's group, sports and physical activity, trips out and more.
You will work with a team of staff and volunteers to deliver these services which are designed to ensure we care for the whole person.
If you want to make a difference then this is the role for you, we want to hear from you.
Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing how you meet the Person Specification.
Registered Charity
1 - 5
To put people in control of their own lives by providing help for them to make informed choices within a practical and emotional support network.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
A truly rewarding role…supporting local people facing food insecurity
Job Title: Culinary Chef and Trainer
Location: Birmingham
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £34540 per annum
About FareShare Midlands
FareShare Midlands is the region’s largest food redistribution charity, tackling inequality, transforming lives and ensuring no good food goes to waste. We rescue surplus food and redistribute it to 650 local charities and community organisations, feeding 60,000 people every week. We also invest in communities, providing education, training and volunteering opportunities, helping over 700 individuals to date to build a better future. Together, we’re fighting hunger, reducing food waste and creating opportunities across the Midlands. Learn more here or read our latest Annual Report Snapshot here.
The Role
We’re looking for a Culinary Chef Trainer for our brand-new purpose built Commercial and Training Kitchen in The Coronation Food Project Hub, Birmingham, helping combat food insecurity by providing affordable, nutritious surplus food in a dignified and supportive environment for underserved communities. In addition to catering skills, you will need to demonstrate a passion for reducing food waste through innovation and creativity.
Working closely with FareShare Midlands Head of Operations you will develop and mobilise the kitchen and catering service(s) for The Coronation Food Project, enabling significant increase in FSM’s reach, support and impact in tackling food insecurity. You will play a lead part in managing our flagship Kitchen, producing high quality meals from surplus food as well as catering for large corporate events. We are keen to grow a Catering skills programme in line with our Employability strategy and you will need to play a key role in informing and shaping the training programmes. Like most charity roles, this is as much a “hands on” as well as management role.
Key Responsibilities
Food Preparation and Cooking
- Plan, prepare and cook high quality, innovative meals in a timely manner for staff, volunteers, visitors and the public as well as larger catering events, ensuring variety, nutritional balance, and high standards of taste and presentation.
- Ensure all food is made according to the recipe and portion control standards
- Adapt menus based on seasonality and availability of surplus food
- Address any feedback or special dietary requirements to ensure a high level of satisfaction, improving offerings
Menu Planning and Development
- Develop and create new recipes in collaboration with the staff, volunteers and local organisations
- Innovate dishes that align with the organisations concept and demand
- Monitor food trends and implement them in the menu, while maintaining FareShare’s brand and ethos
- Create and deliver menus for corporate events
Training
- Develop and coordinate the delivery of catering skills and cookery courses to individuals of all ages and abilities within The Coronation Food Project Hub Kitchen, ensuring equipment, resources and ingredients are appropriate to each class
- Supervise members of staff & volunteers supporting the delivery of cookery classes
- Participate in staff reviews, appraisal and personal development scheme
- Undertake further training as required
Kitchen Management
- Oversee kitchen team, including training, scheduling, and managing their daily tasks.
- Ensure proper stock control, including the procurement of ingredients, maintaining inventory, and minimising food waste.
- Manage food costs, portion control, and kitchen meeting budgetary requirements.
- Work to guidelines from key stakeholders such funders, Public Health etc. keeping up to date with changes in food policy, strategy and dietary advice.
Health, Safety, and Compliance
- Implement, manage and monitor all food safety standards, policies and protocols including sanitation, food safety, storage and food handling and distribution.
- Oversee the cleanliness, organisation, and hygiene standards of the kitchen, ensuring compliance with HACCP, COSHH and food safety regulations, ensuring effective and timely liaison with Environmental Health Officers.
- Compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, with specific responsibility for the health safety and welfare of all personnel within their control.
- Reports all accidents and/or incidents and near misses in accordance with the organisations’ procedures.
People Management
- Working closely with the Head of Operations and Food, provide effective leadership, management and supervision to kitchen staff, volunteers, setting clear priorities and targets.
- Ensuring that staff and volunteers understand their role responsibilities in line with FSM overall mission and have the resources, capacity and capability to effectively undertake their duties.
- Ensure and support adequate training and development of staff and volunteers within the team.
- Participate positively in FSM people management processes ensuring organisation and team development, undertaking all aspects of line management responsibility including supervision, development and appraisals for teams.
- Ensure the service is delivered by teams in accordance with FareShare Midlands Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Staff Wellbeing Policies and maintain the values and culture of the FSM.
- Recruit, support and manage volunteers and staff teams.
Person Specification
Essential Experience, Skills & Competencies
- Minimum of 3 -5 years in a Chef/Kitchen Manager/ CDP or similar role.
- Expertise in various cooking techniques and styles.
- Ability to engage with a diverse range of people including corporate guests with strong customer service skills.
- Strong leadership, time management, and organisational skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks.
- Knowledge of kitchen safety, food hygiene, and sanitation regulations.
- Intermediate food hygiene level 3.
- First Aid Certificate.
- Able to travel and work weekends.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working in a charitable organisation
- Experience of working with volunteers in a charitable setting
- Experience of working with surplus food
- Culinary degree
- Mentoring/ Coaching experience
Competencies and behaviours
- Creativity and passion for food.
- Attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Team-oriented and a strong leader.
- An understanding of, and sympathy with FareShare’s mission.
- Flexibility of approach and ability to work in a team and across other internal teams.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit:
- A supporting statement demonstrating your suitability for the role and explaining your interest in FareShare Midlands.
- Your CV.
We continue to strive to ensure that the profile of our staff and volunteers reflects the diverse communities we serve across the Midlands. As such we encourage and welcome applications from all our communities. We particularly welcome applications from people from ethnically diverse backgrounds as they are currently under-represented within FareShare Midlands.
“Right to Work” in the UK status is required.
Closing date: Monday 14th July 2025, 9 am
Interviews: As soon as possible and during week commencing 14th July 20
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We redistribute good quality surplus food which would otherwise go to waste and also support people to find work through our employability programme.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Job Opportunity: Visitor Services Assistant – Union Chapel
Salary: £27,007 | Full-Time (37.5 hours/week) | Fixed-Term (1 Year)
Start Date: Before the end of August
Union Chapel is looking for a friendly, organised, and proactive Visitor Services Assistant to join our team on a one-year fixed-term contract. This full-time role is a great opportunity to be part of one of London’s most iconic live event venues – a unique space that blends arts, culture, and social purpose.
You’ll be the first point of contact for all public and customer enquiries, helping to create a welcoming and professional experience for every visitor. You'll play a vital role in the day-to-day running of events, supporting both the admin team and the evening operations staff, and ensuring smooth communication across departments.
Union Chapel is more than a venue – it’s a vibrant community space that delivers top-quality events while supporting social change. By joining our small, passionate team, you’ll be part of something meaningful, with opportunities to grow your skills in a unique and creative environment.
Based near Highbury Corner, because of the nature of the role it is essential that you are based on site.
Apply now and help us deliver outstanding experiences to every visitor.
Applicants must heve the legal right to work in the UK.
Please apply with your CV and a covering letter, of no more than two pages, OR 4 minute video and CV, outlining your skills and experiences to meet the criteria of the role, why you want to work for Union Chapel Project.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.