Kitchen Manager - Gloucester

Job Description

Kitchen Manager - Salary: £22,000 to £25,000 – Outskirts of Gloucester

The role

This interesting position is for a vibrant Charity, that welcomes groups of children from cities and disadvantaged communities to experience the adventure of working together on our farms in the heart of the British countryside. Whether they stay for a whole week or come for a day visit, this unique experience can be life changing. Visiting children are immersed in the natural world of countryside, food, and farming life where they participate in the seasonal tasks of the day: sowing, growing and harvesting in their kitchen gardens; caring for livestock and looking after the land; and cooking up a home-grown feast in the farmhouse kitchen. Spending time working alongside real farmers fosters children’s independence and helps them to grow in confidence, develops their self-esteem, and encourages them to become more resilient. At their heritage farms - and in partnership with their commercial farming neighbours - children experience the benefits of collaboration, enjoy plenty of physical activity, good food, and fresh air, and discover the magical rural environment that is full of new words, sounds and experiences to inspire their creativity.

Role Overview

Passionate about nutrition, provenance and seasonal produce, this senior role is central to the efficient running of a busy kitchen providing three nutritious meals each day to a large residential accommodation for groups of up to 39 children and their accompanying adults. As an important part of the house team, the person in this role will work closely with the Farm School Manager, Office Manager and Assistant Cooks to ensure the needs of resident groups are met and that the highest standards of nutrition, food quality, food hygiene and health and safety are maintained. As a working farm, with an extensive kitchen garden operation, the Kitchen Manager plays a critically important role in the wider management of the site, working very closely with the Farm Operations Team to ensure we make the most of opportunities to rear, grow and use our own produce, making the links between food and farming explicit to our visiting groups.

Main responsibilities

• To run the kitchen and supervise the work of the Assistant Cooks and others supporting the kitchen

• To be responsible for providing a high quality, nutritionally balanced, varied and healthy menu of home-made meals for all visitors and staff that adheres to the Charity’s Good Food Policy

• Management and oversight of all food standards requirements, maintaining our outstanding reputation and rating, to include all record keeping, training for all staff involved in food preparation and liaising with Environmental Health

• To be responsible for ordering and purchasing all food, including working with our Farm Operations Team to develop internal transfers of fresh produce, and working closely with the Office Manager in the administration of accounts and suppliers to ensure we meet budget target

• Support the farm management team to create a warm, child-centred environment in which all visiting children flourish

• Ensure catering equipment is in good condition and used and stored safely, working closely with the Farm School Manager to maintain the highest Health and Safety practices in the kitchen

The successful Candidate

Training, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to A-level or equivalent

• Certificated training in catering or a related discipline

• Relevant experience of leading a team in a kitchen environment

• Training in Food Hygiene and H&S in a kitchen environment

• Knowledge and experience of childhood nutrition and of linking food to farming and growing

Desirable

• Experience of working with children and undertaking training in Safeguarding

• Experience of leading cooking activities for groups of children

• Certificated training in Safeguarding or Management

Knowledge and Skills

Essential – All roles

• An engaging communicator with the ability to connect with children of all ages

• A friendly and supportive colleague who fosters constructive and collaborative relationships across the Charity and seeks opportunities to share knowledge and learn from others

• Self-driven, with the ability to plan, prioritise and manage time effectively

• Calm under pressure

Desirable

• Demonstrable commitment to continuous professional development

Disclosure and Barring Service

This post is subject to a DBS check.

Hours of work

The post is a full-time role including evening working. Hours are primarily Monday to Friday, and based on 35 hours between 7am and 7pm.

Annual leave

The annual leave entitlement for this post is 25 days per year plus public holidays.

Probationary period

The appointment will be subject to a probationary period of 3 months.

Own transport is essential due to location.

Please send your current CV to Fiona to submit your application. We regret that if you have not heard from us with 5 days, that you have been unsuccessful in your application.