Commis Chef

About the role

We are looking to appoint an outstanding Commis Chef to assist with the catering service to students, staff, parents and visitors to Halliford School. The ideal candidates will be an enthusiastic and hardworking team player willing to join a busy and vibrant department.

The successful applicant must have previous catering experience which will allow them to assist with the preparation and delivery of high quality and healthy meals and work within a dedicated and highly motivated catering team. The core student and staff catering service operates daily term-time only, with additional catering/ hospitality required to support the wide range of events organised by the School during the school day, in the evening and sports events at weekends.

Successful candidates should have proven skills within a catering setting teamed with an interest in promoting healthy eating for all. An excellent understanding of relevant health and safety considerations is essential together with an awareness of budget management. You will also have a very strong empathy for working with young people and be fully supportive of the aims and ethos of Halliford School.

The hours of work may vary but the core hours are 8am to 4pm in term time including an occasional Saturday morning for sports fixtures. (4 hours). The ideal candidate will need to be flexible during term time as there will be an additional expectation to assist with marketing events in the evening and weekend events such as, Open Days (October & February), concerts and PTA events. Salary is competitive and dependent on experience.

Process of Application:

Along with this pack you should have received a copy of the application form, which you are asked to complete in full and as accurately as possible paying attention to the Job Description and Person Specification. If you have any queries regarding the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Zoe Fazackerley, who will be delighted to assist you.

Completed application forms, together with a supporting letter of application (no more than one side of A4) should be e-mailed to the HR and Recruitment Officer to arrive no later than 17th October 2025. However, please feel free to apply as soon as possible as applications will be considered upon receipt. We reserve the right to interview / appoint before the closing date.

Lines of Responsibility

The Commis Chef is responsible to the Chef Manager.

The Commis Chef will support the Chef Manager and Chef ensuring an excellent standard of catering is provided to pupils, staff, parents, and visitors to the School.

Main Duties

• Deliver an excellent, healthy, and nutritious food offering to pupils, staff, parents, and visitors.
• Support the Chef Manager & Chef on a day-to-day basis with the production and delivery of all meals.
• Work within the remit of all health and safety guidelines and compliance sheets.

Key Responsibilities

Catering

• Support the Chef Manager & Chef with the preparation, cooking and presentation of all food, to include main meals, puddings and other supplies, to the required statutory regulations and School standards
• To check deliveries and ensure all raw and cooked food is stored and labelled correctly
• Ensure that methods of preparation and presentation comply with current recognised catering standards, food safety legislation and nutritional guidelines
• Ensure the timely service of all meals, breaks, sport fixtures and events / functions as required by the School
• To minimise resource wastage, including food & disposables
• Provide additional support in the preparation, cooking and serving for Saturday Sport meals (on rotation with other members of the catering team)
• Support the Chef Manager with all catering for other events and functions, the majority of which will be outside of the normal working hours i.e. evenings and weekends. An example of the events are Open Days (October & February), Taster Days, PTA Evenings and Summer Concert

Health & Safety

• Report all accidents in accordance with school procedures
• Ensure compliance with regard to all catering aspects of health and safety legislation and the maintenance of necessary records
• Ensure appropriate control of substances hazardous to health
• Ensure that preparation and delivery of all food is in accordance with known allergy conditions within the school community
• Carry out cleaning according to the schedule provided by Chef Manager & Chef.

Personal Specification:

Qualifications and Experience

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
• Level 2 Food Safety
• Level 2 Health & Safety
• Recent qualifications on Allergen training, HACCAP would be beneficial

Skills and Knowledge

• A flare for cooking is essential, teamed with an interest in promoting healthy eating for all
• Outstanding organisational skills with excellent time-management skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and confidently with all members of the School community

Attributes

• The ability to build effective working relationships with staff and other members of the school
• The ability to seek out and find solutions to a problem
• Flexibility in approach to people and working arrangements
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• High standards of 'customer service'
• Enthusiastic and willing to go 'above and beyond'
• Patience and good humour
• Empathy with young people
• Fully supportive of the aims & ethos of Halliford School

Safeguarding

• To ensure the safeguarding and well-being of children and young people at the school in accordance with school policies
• To adhere to school policy on safeguarding and updating training as required