Community chef jobs

Job Title: Head Chef

Reporting To: Kitchen Manager

Salary Range: £40,000 - £45,000

Contract Type: Permanent 

Location: Felix’s Kitchen, Unit 12 & 14 Thomas Road Industrial Estate Poplar E14 7BN

Hours/Days per week: 37.5 hours per week, 5 days out of 6, between Monday to Saturday. Any 8.5 hours between 07:30 and 20:00

 Our Vision: A UK where “No good food goes to waste”. 

The Felix Project and FareShare have recently merged to form the UK's largest food redistribution charity. Its vision is a UK where good food is never wasted, and nobody goes hungry. 

The organisation rescues high quality edible surplus food, from across the food industry and gets it to over 8,000 organisations across the UK who are working to strengthen communities and improve lives. 

The charity manages seven depots across London, Suffolk, Merseyside and Hampshire and works with 16 network partners who operate a further 26 regional depots across the UK. 

Over the next year our ambition is to rescue enough food nationally to provide nearly 200 million meals, turning an environmental problem into social good with measurable impact for people, planet, and the economy.

Purpose of the Job 

We are looking for the Head Chef to play a key role leading the team at Felix’s Kitchen to continue and grow on the success of the last four years of operations. 

Felix’s Kitchen opened in 2021 and has grown its impact and output since then, to now be a one-of-a-kind kitchen producing 4.5-5 thousand ready meals 6 days a week made entirely from surplus ingredients. 

No two days will ever be the same, we work with surplus ingredients meaning each dish is unique and based on the incredible seasonal surplus ingredients we have received into out Poplar Depot based next to the kitchen. We have a core team of staff who run the operation but our work force in made up volunteers who support all aspects of our kitchen operations. 

The new Head Chef will line manage the chef team of roughly 10 people and be working in our main production kitchen every day, leading the team from the front, setting the standards and organising the days production. 

Whilst managing, planning and leading are the core of the role it is a hands-on role working in the kitchen to achieve the daily production targets and cooking new recipes each day. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

· Lead the Kitchen side of the operation on a day-to-day basis, setting the prep and cooking schedules for the day(s) ahead 

· Support the team from the front in delivering the days output objectives and problem solving across the kitchen operation 

·Line Manage the Kitchen team, focussed on the daily management but also working on people and team management alongside the kitchen manager

· Work alongside the kitchen management team to ensure all H&S, Food Safety and HACCP standards are met 

· Participate in all external Health & Safety and Food Safety audits and carry out internal audits/checklist 

· Be responsible for all safety paperwork and monitoring information from the kitchen operations 

· Be accountable for the creation of unique recipe and spec sheets every day and managing the team to do so 

· Create and monitor the packing list for the packing team to produce the final meal products, ensuring accurate labelling and allergen information is given 

· Monitor and control inbound food supplies, ensuring the ingredients are used effectively and safely 

· Maintaining cleanliness standards throughout the kitchen and food storage areas 

· Working alongside the kitchen manager on improving quality, quantity and consistency of Felix Meals 

·  Ensure the team can provide a hot lunch for the staff at Poplar each day from our surplus ingredients 

·  Working to support the volunteers in the kitchen, with hands on instructions and overall experience management 

·  Support the Chef Trainer in the execution of our Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme 

Your normal duties and responsibilities will be set out in your job description. However, the charity may require you to perform other duties from time to time. 

Recruitment timeline 

We reserve the right to close advertisements early and we might assess candidates and arranging interview as applications come in, so please apply as soon as possible, to avoid missing out on this opportunity.  

Due to the anticipated large number of applicants, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of your application, we regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful. Consequently, will not be able to provide feedback. 

Chef – The Granary at Caring For Life

Share great food. Serve with purpose. Be part of a Christian mission that changes lives.

At Caring For Life, everything we do flows from our Christian mission of servanthood, seeking to bring glory to God through the way we care for people. In our social enterprise restaurant, The Granary, that mission is lived out daily through excellent food, genuine hospitality, and a warm welcome that reflects the love of Jesus in a practical way.

We are looking for a Chef who is passionate about food, people, and purpose. Whether you are starting out in your catering career, building experience, or already working at Sous Chef or Deputy Head Chef level, this is an opportunity to grow your skills in a supportive environment where excellence and service go hand in hand.

Our aim is simple: to serve outstanding food, offer outstanding care, and create a place where every customer feels valued and welcomed.

Line Management

This role is supported and supervised by the Head Chef.

Role Purpose

To prepare and deliver high-quality food for customers of The Granary, while contributing to a team environment that reflects the Christian mission of Caring For Life through excellent service, care, and hospitality.

You will play a key part in maintaining high standards in food preparation, hygiene, and customer service, while helping to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all who visit.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and present dishes to a consistently high standard in line with recipes, dietary requirements and allergen procedures
• Support the kitchen team in maintaining excellent food hygiene, safety, and cleanliness standards
• Ensure all food is prepared, stored, and served safely and correctly, including regular date and quality checks
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organised kitchen and restaurant environment at all times
• Assist with soups, daily specials, and menu items, contributing ideas where appropriate
• Support special events, functions, and private bookings when required
• Work collaboratively with the Head Chef to develop new dishes and products, including promoting Caring For Life farm produce where possible
• Provide a welcoming and friendly service to all customers, including elderly and vulnerable visitors, creating space for conversation and care
• Take part in team prayer times and contribute to the spiritual life of Caring For Life as appropriate
• Where appropriate, share personal testimony of Christian faith in a natural and respectful way with customers, volunteers, or the wider community
• Occasionally assist in representing Caring For Life at church or supporter events

About You

We welcome applicants from a range of experience levels. You may be:

• Starting out in your catering career and keen to learn
• Building solid kitchen experience and looking to grow
• Already working at Chef, Sous Chef, or Deputy Head Chef level

You will be:

• Passionate about food and delivering high standards
• A team player with a positive and flexible attitude
• Committed to cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety
• Willing to learn, develop, and take responsibility
• Supportive of Caring For Life’s Christian mission

Training & Development

You will receive full induction and ongoing training, including:

• Food hygiene and safety (minimum Level 2 CIEH)
• Manual handling
• Health and safety procedures
• Ongoing in-house training and development opportunities

Place of Work

Crag House Farm, Otley Old Road, Leeds LS16 7NH

Hours

5 days per week working between Monday and Saturday, 9-hour shifts
The Granary is open Monday to Saturday (9am–4pm)
Weekend working on a rota basis is essential
Some evening work may be required for functions, this fairly infrequent

Annual Leave

30 days per year (including bank holidays, which may be required as working days depending on rota)

Other Information

Caring For Life is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

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.