Overview
and Responsibilities
Chef – Aurora Ryefields
Job Title: Chef
Location: Ryefields School
Salary: Actual annual salary £,. - £,., dependent on experience
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent, Term time only
Working Hours: 7.am-4pm ( working weeks per year)
About Ryefields
At Ryefield School, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and high-achieving environment for our students. With a strong commitment to academic excellence and personal growth, we work collaboratively to ensure every child thrives.
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Chef to oversee the kitchen at Ryefields School. You will ensure the prompt and efficient preparation and service of all meals, within budget and to required standards, while catering to the diverse dietary needs of our young people. You will also provide guidance on food preparation, regulatory standards, and dietary considerations.
Key Duties
1. Plan menus within budget while considering dietary requirements and preferences.
2. Collaborate with the Business Manager to develop best practices and future catering strategies.
3. Ensure adherence to statutory regulations on food safety and hygiene across sites.
4. Manage kitchen documentation, accounting, and administrative procedures.
5. Create efficient staff rotas while considering team needs.
6. Induct, train, and develop new kitchen staff, providing ongoing coaching and support.
7. Maintain accurate food supply records and ensure effective stock rotation.
8. Monitor and manage food deliveries, ensuring accuracy and proper storage.
9. Maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment, planning deep cleans periodically.
10. Ensure kitchen security and safe operation of all catering equipment.
11. Organise and prepare for special functions, sometimes outside normal working hours.
12. Report any equipment defects, hazards, or irregularities.
13. Support education staff in encouraging young people to develop cooking skills.
14. Attend meetings and training courses as required.
For a full breakdown of the role and key duties, please see the attached job description:
Skills and Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
15. Experience managing a catering environment with multiple and complex dietary requirements.
16. Proven ability to plan and prepare nutritious, balanced, and varied menus.
17. Strong knowledge of health and safety legislation, including COSHH, manual handling, and food hygiene.
18. Experience in equipment maintenance and safety checks.
19. Strong literacy, numeracy, and communication skills.
20. Knowledge of kitchen equipment, stock management, and cleaning schedules.
21. Ability to prioritise tasks and work flexibly.
22. Commitment to the health, welfare, and safeguarding of children and young adults.
Requirements of the Role
23. Eligibility to work in the UK.
24. Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check with barred list clearance.
25. Ability to meet the physical demands of the role.
26. Willingness to work outside normal hours for special functions when needed.
27. Level 2 Food Hygiene Certification (Level 3 desirable).
28. Experience in cooking for - people.
29. Willingness to develop within the role.
30. Creativity in adapting meals for diverse dietary needs.
31. Team player with a motivated, positive attitude.
32. Will need to have some availability during the school holidays for deep cleaning
Benefits and Additional Information
What’s on offer?
33. Training and Development
Within Aurora, we strongly believe that learning and development should not be limited to just the children and young people we support. We offer wide range of programmes and opportunities to all our employees to improve your skills and further your career.
34. Save money on your bills!!
With the cost of living rising we have a fantastic benefit through Perkbox to help with cutting costs and help make your money go further. Perkbox is a free app for you to use on the go wherever you are. You can get deals and discounts to save money on things like your weekly food bill, phone plans, internet, eating out, gym memberships, insurance and more. You can also use Perkbox for our cycle to work scheme and car scheme.
35. Competitive Pay and Reward
Every year we compare the market rates of pay and rewards to insure they are comparable or better to other similar organisations. We also offer Enhanced Annual Leave, Company Sick Pay, Enhanced Pension and Life Assurance.
36. UK Health Cash Plan
This plan can help cover your day to day healthcare expenditure such as optician and dental bills. You and your children are covered on this plan and you can also choose to upgrade and add a partner to enjoy the benefits with you.
37. Employee Assistance Programme
Your health and wellbeing is very important to us and we have support available on a wide variety of issues, helping you with online tools, information and via a freephone counselling service available /7.
38. Refer a friend for £1,
We’ll reward you for recommending friends and family to come and join the company (*terms apply)
How to apply?
Please complete an online application form in full, remembering to include all employment and education details. If you need any assistance or would like any more information please contact Karen in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at