The Pantry is a leading contract caterer and is pleased to be recruiting for an Area Support Chef to support our fantastic teams within our education business.
The role on offer is 30 hours per week from 08:00am - 14:00pm, Monday to Friday and 39 weeks worked - term time only.
The ideal start date for this position is 01st September 2026. We are happy to accommodate a later start date in September for the right candidate.
The successful candidate should be passionate about food, display excellent customer service skills and have a strong, high quality led educational background in the contract catering sector.
We are looking for applications from people who are creative as well as being business aware and able to drive the operation forward by preparing and serving fresh food for young children, some with special diets.
This is a role where you will be expected to travel between various locations across Ipswich, ( paid mileage), covering sickness and supporting where needed.
Holding compliance audits will be part of the role , launching new menus and mobilising new schools.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:
· Craft skills for this hands-on role, with passion, commitment and enthusiasm to make a difference leading a team
· A real eye for detail and ability to achieve ‘excellence’ on a daily basis
· The experience and ability to develop the catering services achieving customer and client satisfaction through feedback and continual improvement
· A passion for food and a dynamic and innovative approach to business development and developing the team to deliver the client and customer needs
· A thorough understanding of Food Safety and Health and Safety, with recent experience of managing within the current legislation
· Financial understanding of budgets and managing all areas of costs, sales growth and labour to deliver consistent results
· Knowledge of health and nutritional guidelines is essential
The successful candidate must be able to drive and willing to travel to help support and cover absences within our business. in return you can look forward to working in a fantastic environment with development potential, company benefits and training.
The Pantry supports the safeguarding of children and is an equal opportunities employer. This vacancy will be subject to an enhanced DBS check (which the Company will pay for) and will require candidates to evidence the right to work in the UK at the interview stage.
References will be sought prior to starting work.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Experience:
- school catering: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
