Do you love food, enjoy working with children, and want a role where you can make a real difference every day?
At City Catering Southampton, we are passionate about providing high-quality, nutritious meals to children across Southampton and beyond. As a charity, we believe every child deserves the very best lunchtime experience — and we’re looking for an enthusiastic, organised, and friendly Assistant Cook to help us deliver just that.
This is a rewarding term-time role that fits around family life and school hours, while giving you the opportunity to develop your catering skills in a supportive environment.
Location: Mansel Park
Hours: 25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Fixed term contract covering maternity leave
Working Weeks: 39 weeks per year (term-time only)
Pay: £13.19 per hour
What You’ll Be Doing
No two days are the same! You’ll help with:
· Assisting with the preparation, cooking, and serving of nutritious meals
· Supporting the Head of Kitchen with the smooth running of the kitchen, including deputising in their absence
· Preparing special diets and allergen-safe meals
· Maintaining excellent food safety and hygiene standards
· Supporting stock control and helping to minimise food waste
· Keeping kitchen and dining areas clean, safe, and organised
· Providing a warm and welcoming service to children and school staff
· Supporting and encouraging Catering Assistants within the team
· Occasionally supporting other kitchen locations when required
What We’re Looking For
We’d love to hear from you if you are:
· Experienced in managing or supporting the day-to-day running of a kitchen, ideally within a school or catering environment.
· Passionate about food and customer service
· Friendly, reliable, and approachable
· Organised and able to work in a busy kitchen environment
· A strong team player with a positive attitude
· Confident following food safety and hygiene procedures
· Willing to learn, take initiative, and support others
· Flexible and happy to support different locations when needed
Previous supervisory experience is preferred, and a Level 2 or Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate would be an advantage.
At City Catering Southampton, we are proud of our positive culture, high standards, and commitment to equality, safeguarding, and employee wellbeing.
Important Information
This role is subject to eligibility to work in the UK and an Enhanced DBS check due to working within school environments. The cost of the DBS check will be covered by the Charity.
We are actively seeking to increase diversity within our organisation and warmly welcome applications from people of all genders, sexual orientations, people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and those with lived experience of food poverty.
If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to be part of our #FoodForGood team, we’d love to hear from you — apply today!
Pay: £13.19 per hour
Benefits:
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
Application question(s):
- Do you have an enhanced DBS certificate?
- How many years of kitchen management experience do you have?
Work Location: In person
