Package Description
“For a job that’s a perfect mix of passion, perks and potential”
Grey Court School, Ham Street, Richmond, TW10 7HN
£18.50 per hour
40 hours per week
Monday – Friday | 7:00am – 3:00pm
Term Time Only (39 week contract paid over 52 weeks)**
Large-scale school catering or contract catering experience essential
Job Introduction
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Cook Manager, School Chef, Catering Manager, or ambitious Senior Chef looking for a rewarding leadership role with an excellent work-life balance.
At Sodexo, we know that school meals are about much more than food. They help students focus, learn, perform, and thrive throughout the school day. We're looking for a passionate and organised kitchen leader to oversee a busy catering operation at Grey Court School, delivering nutritious, high-quality meals whilst creating a positive dining experience for students and staff.
This role offers the opportunity to combine your passion for food with the benefits of school-friendly hours, weekends off, public holidays off, and Christmas off.
Grey Court School is a highly regarded secondary school and sixth form located in the heart of Richmond. The school prides itself on providing an outstanding learning environment where students are encouraged to achieve their full potential academically, socially, and personally.
As Cook Manager, you'll play an important role in supporting this community by ensuring students and staff have access to fresh, nutritious, and enjoyable meals every day.
As Cook Manager, you'll take ownership of the day-to-day catering operation, leading your team to deliver exceptional food and service standards.
Your responsibilities will include:
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Leading and motivating the kitchen team during breakfast and lunch service
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Preparing and cooking fresh, nutritious meals for students and staff
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Managing food ordering, stock control, deliveries, and supplier relationships
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Monitoring food costs and ensuring budgets are effectively managed
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Supporting, training, and developing catering assistants and kitchen team members
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Ensuring all food safety, allergen management, HACCP, and health & safety standards are maintained
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Completing kitchen audits, compliance checks, and catering administration
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Maintaining high standards of food quality, presentation, and customer service
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Working closely with school leadership and Sodexo management teams
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Helping to drive meal uptake through themed menus, promotions, and food initiatives
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Creating a positive dining environment that students and staff enjoy returning to each day
This is a busy and rewarding environment, so we're looking for someone who can confidently lead from the front, stay organised, and inspire their team to deliver excellent results.
We're looking for a confident and approachable kitchen leader with strong large-scale catering experience and a genuine passion for food and customer service.
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Experience cooking for high volumes (100–1300 covers)
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Previous experience within school catering, contract catering, education catering, or a similar large-scale environment
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Experience supervising or managing a kitchen team
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Strong understanding of food safety, allergen management, and kitchen compliance
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Experience managing stock control, ordering, and food costs
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Ability to work effectively under pressure within a fast-paced environment
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Excellent communication and people management skills
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Strong organisational and time management abilities
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Positive attitude with a proactive approach to leadership
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NVQ Level 2 Professional Cookery (or equivalent)
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Level 2 Food Safety Certificate
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Previous Cook Manager experience within education catering
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Experience increasing meal uptake and customer engagement
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Knowledge of school food standards
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Experience delivering themed food events and menu initiatives
Why Join Sodexo:
Working with Sodexo is more than a job — it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you, where you can grow, develop and make a real difference every day.
You’ll also benefit from:
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School-friendly hours and excellent work-life balance
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Public holidays and Christmas off
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Full uniform provided
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Access to wellbeing and mental health support
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Employee Assistance Programme
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Discounts, cashback and financial wellbeing support
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Pension scheme
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Ongoing learning and development opportunities
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Cycle to Work Scheme
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Opportunities to progress within Sodexo
Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!
**Sodexo and our Clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (UK) and / or Disclosure Scotland (Scotland)**
- Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of application
About The Company
About Sodexo
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.
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 run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.
Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.
