Job Description
6 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• Thurrock Council is seeking enthusiastic and experienced Catering Assistants/Cooks to join the School Meal Service.
• The role involves preparing, cooking, and delivering high-quality meals to pupils and staff across primary, secondary, and alternative provision schools within Thurrock.
• The successful candidates will work in a friendly, flexible environment, supporting the Catering Service to maintain high standards of food hygiene, customer care, and service delivery.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Prepare, cook, and serve meals to pupils and staff in line with the Bronze Food for Life standards.
• Assist the Head of Kitchen in organising and supervising kitchen, counter, and dining hall activities.
• Promote the Catering Service and support awareness of new products, promotions, and changes in legislation.
• Ensure all food hygiene, allergy legislation, and food safety due diligence requirements are met.
• Clean and maintain kitchen, dining hall, and equipment, including setting up and clearing dining areas.
• Provide flexible cover across different school kitchens in Thurrock as required.
• Support initiatives to increase uptake of the school meals service.
Skills/Experience:
• Experience working in catering, food preparation, or school meal services.
• Knowledge and training in Food Hygiene and Allergy Legislation.
• Ability to organise and supervise kitchen and dining hall activities.
• Strong customer service skills and a positive, can-do attitude.
• Flexibility to work across multiple sites within Thurrock.
• Awareness of food safety standards and compliance requirements.
• Teamwork skills and the ability to work in a busy school environment.
Additional Information:
• The closing date: 23/01/2026.
• DBS is required.
• Part-time role: 15 Hr/week.
Requirements
• Experience working in catering, food preparation, or school meal services. • Knowledge and training in Food Hygiene and Allergy Legislation. • Ability to organise and supervise kitchen and dining hall activities. • Strong customer service skills and a positive, can-do attitude. • Flexibility to work across multiple sites within Thurrock. • Awareness of food safety standards and compliance requirements. • Teamwork skills and the ability to work in a busy school environment.