Assistant Cook

At St Michael in the Hamlet we are dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for our pupils. Our mission is to foster the academic, physical, and emotional well-being of every pupil. We believe that healthy, nutritious meals are a cornerstone of a successful educational experience.

St Michael in the Hamlet works with Food For Thought Merseyside Ltd. to deliver our meals service. Food For Thought is a not-for-profit school meals company whose mission is to support their community of schools who promote the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of children through a Good Food Culture. They design termly menus and recipes using fresh ingredients, following School Food Standards, without setting portion limits. The focus is to ensure that each pupil gets enough food to sustain them during a school day.

Position Overview

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Assistant Cook to support our School Cook in the daily operations of our school kitchen.

The Assistant Cook will work closely with the School Cookto ensure a friendly and delicious food service, a dynamic and happy catering team and be able to step up to cover absences when needed.

The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to food safety, organisation, and the health and well-being of our pupils. They will be passionate about using and cooking with fresh ingredients.

This role requires collaboration with Food For Thought and adherence to their guidelines and the values of our school.

Key Responsibilities

· Food Safety

Support the School Cook in ensuring all food safety standards are met, including proper storage, handling, and preparation of food items.

Maintain up-to-date paperwork as required by law and assist in providing staff training.

· Menu Planning

Follow the Food For Thought weekly menu and recipes.

Assist in planning and developing appealing Chef's Specials to support the Food For Thought menu.

Consider the dietary needs of pupils, including those with varied cultural and religious backgrounds and special dietary requirements.

· Food Preparation

Support the School Cook in ensuring efficient preparation and service of meals and breaks to the standards set by the school and Food For Thought.

Assist in preparing and cooking meals in accordance with established recipes and guidelines provided by Food For Thought, ensuring quality and consistency.

Use fresh ingredients in the preparation and planning of meals.

Support with the organisation and catering of special functions, some of which may occur outside of normal working hours.

Preparing desserts set out in the Food For Thought menu.

· Ordering and Inventory Management

Assist in managing inventory and ordering food from recommended suppliers.

Maintain accurate records and help manage wastage effectively to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations.

· Collaboration

Work closely with the Food For Thought Area Manager to align food service operations with their guidelines and the school's values.

Collaborate with lunchtime support staff to ensure the lunch service is a smooth and enjoyable experience for pupils.

Maintain and build relationships at all levels within the school.

· Health and Well-Being

Promote healthy eating habits and nutritional education among pupils and staff.

· Compliance

Adhere to legal standards of hygiene and safety.

Ensure the Safer Food Better Business (SFBB) documentation is completed in line with legal requirements and used as a daily working document.

Support the School Cook/ Catering Manager in implementing any changes resulting from routine audits and inspections.

· Cleanliness and Maintenance

Support the maintenance of a clean, organised, and safe kitchen environment, including routine cleaning and inspections.

Ensure equipment is maintained and repairs are reported to the school and recorded.

· Team Support

Support the School Cook in supervising and training the catering team.

Assist in motivating the catering team to deliver the catering service to a high standard.

Step up to cover the School Cook during absences.

· Customer Service

Provide friendly and responsive service to pupils, staff, and parents, addressing any concerns or feedback promptly.

Help maintain high levels of hot meal uptake through the preparation of delicious food and encouraging service.

Make mealtimes a pleasing and pleasant experience for all pupils.

· Values Alignment

Commitment to the values and mission of St Michael in the Hamlet.

Passion for promoting health and well-being through nutritious meals.

Dedication to creating a positive and inclusive environment for all pupils.

· General

Maintain high standards of personal hygiene.

Ensure uniform is clean and presentable.

Attend meetings and training courses as requested.

Follow school policies and procedures, demonstrating a keen awareness of safeguarding children and vulnerable people.

Implement the principles of the school's Equal Opportunities Policy while carrying out the above duties.

This job description is not intended to be prescriptive or exhaustive; it is issued as a framework to outline the main areas of responsibility at the time of writing.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to receipt of an enhanced disclosure form Criminal Records Bureau, as well as other pre-appointment and/or medical checks.

St Michael in the Hamlet is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £15,989.00-£17,033.00 per year

Expected hours: 25 per week

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person