Job Title: Chef

Location: Stroud Area
Contract: Term-time only
Hours: 5 hours per day, Monday–Friday
Pay: £14.80 per hour
Holiday: 5.6 weeks paid holiday, taken during school holidays

About The Great Plate

At The Great Plate, we provide fresh, nourishing, and delicious meals that support children’s health, wellbeing, and learning every day. We are committed to delivering high standards of food quality, hygiene, and service in a positive, teamwork-focused environment.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, and organised Chef to lead a school kitchen. You will ensure the daily delivery of high-quality meals, maintain excellent food safety standards, and manage kitchen operations efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the kitchen, including delegating tasks to one or two other kitchen staff.

• Prepare and cook meals following The Great Plate menus and recipes, ensuring consistency, quality, and portion control.

• Maintain compliance with food hygiene, health & safety, and allergen management standards, including handling dietary requirements safely.

• Keep the kitchen clean and organised, following daily and weekly cleaning schedules.

• Monitor, rotate, and control stock efficiently; place food orders as needed.

• Ensure all food is stored, labelled, and rotated according to hygiene best practice.

• Work efficiently to ensure meals are ready and served on time.

• Maintain records including temperature logs, cleaning checklists, and stock inventories.

• Collaborate with school staff to support a positive dining experience for pupils and staff.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in a professional kitchen, ideally in educational or high-volume catering.

• Strong leadership skills, with experience supervising and motivating a small team.

• Understanding of food hygiene and safety practices, with relevant certification (e.g., Level 2 Food Safety in Catering or equivalent).

• Excellent organisational skills, with a focus on time management, stock control, and efficient kitchen operation.

• Commitment to high standards of hygiene and allergen awareness.

• A positive, flexible, and proactive approach to work.

Additional Requirements

• An Enhanced DBS check will be required, as this role involves working in a school environment.

• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Why Join The Great Plate?

• A rewarding role making a real difference to children’s daily lives.

• Supportive team and opportunities for training and development.

• Term-time contract with paid holiday during school breaks.

• Competitive hourly pay at £14.80 per hour. 

 Reasonable Adjustments 

We want our application/recruitment process to be right for you as an individual. If there’s anything we can do to make this process easier or any reasonable adjustments we can make, please email maisie@thegreatplate.org.uk or call 07801745210 directly. 

 The Culture 

We’re not just about what we do, but how we do it. Our culture, defined by community, empowerment, teamwork, optimism, and ethical practices, is the heartbeat of our organisation. It’s our everyday actions that shape the culture and the way we work together. 

Safeguarding Statement:

At The Great Plate, we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers, and partners to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment practices, including an enhanced DBS check, robust references, and ongoing safeguarding training. We uphold a culture of vigilance, ensuring concerns are reported promptly and handled in line with statutory guidance and organisational policy. The wellbeing and safety of the children we serve is central to everything we do.

 Ethical Framework: 

 We embody consistency, integrity, openness, and humility, creating a respectful, inclusive, and positive workplace, championing trust and employee well-being. 

 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: 

 We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. 

 Right to Work in the UK: 

 Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Proof of eligibility will be required during recruitment. 

 How We Use Your Data: Personal information provided during recruitment will only be used to progress your application and meet legal requirements. Data will be handled in accordance with UK GDPR and our Privacy Policy. 

 How to Apply 

Please send your CV and covering letter explaining how you meet the requirements of the role to maisie@thegreatplate.org.uk 

Applications close on the 5th of January 2026, and Interviews will take place the week commencing. 12th January 2026. 

📍 Location: Stroud & Surrounding Areas
💰 Pay: £12.60 per hour 3.5 hours a day 5 days a , term-time only

Join The Great Plate – Where School Lunches Are Made with Love & Care!

Are you a passionate person who believes in the power of good food? Do you want to be part of a team that makes a real difference in children's health and happiness? The Great Plate is looking for a kitchen assistant to help us create delicious, nourishing school lunches that fuel young minds and bodies.

Why Join Us?

✅ Work-Life Balance: No evenings or weekends – perfect for fitting around family life!
✅ Meaningful Work: Help shape young eaters' relationship with healthy, home-cooked food.
✅ Supportive Team: Work with like-minded food lovers in a positive, collaborative kitchen.

About the Role

As a Kitchen Assistant at The Great Plate, you’ll be an essential part of our mission to provide wholesome, high-quality meals to primary school children. Working alongside our chefs and wider team, you’ll support the preparation, packing, and delivery of meals that avoid ultra-processed foods, refined sugars, and artificial additives—ensuring children receive food that’s both nutritious and delicious!

Your Responsibilities Will Include:
🍽️ Meal Support: Assist with preparing fresh, balanced meals from scratch.
🔪 Prep Work: Help with chopping, portioning, and setting up ingredients.
📦 Packing & Distribution: Support the packing of meals and deliver them to schools (a valid driver’s licence and your own car are required).
🥦 Stock & Ingredients: Assist with stock checks and ensure ingredients are stored correctly.
💡 Teamwork: Work closely with the kitchen team, supporting chefs and colleagues as needed.
🧼 Kitchen Standards: Maintain excellent hygiene and food safety practices (Level 2 Food Hygiene required or willingness to obtain).

Who We’re Looking For:

✅ Professional Kitchen Experience – Whether from a restaurant, café, school, or catering background.
✅ Passionate About Fresh, Healthy Food – You care about what children eat and understand the impact of good nutrition.
✅ A Great Team Player – You can use initiative and follow directions without hesitation.
✅ Reliable & Organised – Able to prep and assist with service efficiently in a busy but rewarding environment.

What We Offer:

🍎 A Role with Purpose – Play a key part in improving school food culture.
📅 School-Friendly Hours – Work only during term time, with your holidays free!
📈 Training & Development – Opportunities to grow and refine your skills.

Apply Now! Keep Scrolling For Application Info!

Apply Now!

If you're a confident, person who thrives on responsibility and wants a role that fits your lifestyle, we’d love to hear from you!

Join us in making nourishing, homemade school lunches the norm! 🥕🍞✨

If you’re excited about this role and meet the requirements, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today by sending your CV, a short cover letter explaining why you’d be a great fit and the questions below answered.

📩 To Apply: maisie@thegreatplate.org.uk

About The Great Plate CIC:

 The Great Plate CIC is dedicated to providing delicious, nourishing meals while promoting community engagement and sustainability. We operate with a mission to offer high-quality food and a welcoming environment for everyone. To learn more about us, visit http://www.thegreatplate.org.uk (http://www.thegreatplate.org.uk)  

Safer Recruitment:

 The Great Plate CIC is committed to safer recruitment practices. All employees will undergo a DBS check to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.

Please include answers to the following in your application-:

 1. Can you tell us about a time when you worked effectively as part of a team in a kitchen environment? What was your role and how did you contribute to the team's success?

2. How do you ensure that you maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in a kitchen setting? Can you provide an example of when you had to address a cleanliness issue in the kitchen?

3. How do you prioritize tasks and stay organised in a fast-paced kitchen environment? Can you give an example of a time when you had to manage multiple tasks simultaneously?

4. How do you ensure that you follow food safety and hygiene standards in your work? Can you provide an example of a situation where you had to address a food safety concern?

5. Can you tell us about a time when you had to learn a new skill or take direction in a kitchen setting? How did you approach the learning process and what was the outcome?

6. How do you handle stressful situations in a kitchen environment? Can you provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a challenging situation while working in a kitchen?

7. How do you ensure that kitchen equipment and supplies are properly organised and maintained? Can you give an example of a time when you had to troubleshoot an equipment issue in the kitchen?

8. Can you explain why you are enthusiastic about working in a kitchen environment and how this enthusiasm will benefit The Great Plate ?

Join us at The Great Plate CIC and contribute to a meaningful community initiative while gaining valuable kitchen experience!

We look forward to receiving your application!