Junior Chef de Partie
- Job title: Junior Chef de Partie
- Job Type: Permanent – Term Time Only 20 hours per week
- Salary: £14.65 per hour
- Department: Catering
- Reporting to: Head of Catering
- Location: Highgate, North London
- Start: September 2023
- Closing Date: 14 July 2023 at 5:00 pm
Are you a self guided chef who is looking to develop their skills and help us add the “wow factor” to the freshly prepared catering we provide to over 2000 people daily?
The key aim of this role is to help us enhance the food we provide. This could include traybakes for packed lunches, power bars for sports teams, homemade finger foods for buffets, homemade sausage rolls for school trips, overnight oats for breakfasts.
This is a fantastic opportunity for you to use your flair and creativity and the role gives freedom to experiment, There is no following recipes directed by a Head Office in this role.
There is flexibility in working hours to fit around other commitments you have in life. Hours can be spread across 3 to 5 working days.
The Department
The Catering Department aims to provide the highest quality of service to the School and expects its staff to meet the necessary standards consistent with offering a friendly and efficient service to staff and pupils, whilst complying with hygiene regulations and Catering Department protocols. The responsibilities of the Catering Department cover the provision of lunch for staff and pupils on a daily basis and the catering for evening social and marketing events throughout the academic year.
THE ROLE
The Junior Chef De Partie, under the direction of the Executive Head Chef and Head of Catering and Domestic Services will be responsible for the production of both sweet and savoury food items. This includes items for packed lunches such as tray bakes and homemade savoury pastries, energy bars for sports teas and finger foods for buffets. The role will include elements of lone working and working hours will be during kitchen down times.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Kitchen
- The preparation of food from scratch including sweet and savory items.
- To ensure food is prepared as required ensuring quantities and portions are suitable to satisfy demand while minimizing waste.
- To ensure food is ready in a timely manner.
- An awareness of upcoming events and catering requirements ensuring food is prepared for them.
- Ensure all products produced are labelled with allergen and ingredient information.
- To ensure all temperatures are recorded and that stock is rotated.
General
- Offer a friendly and helpful service to all users of catering.
- Report any shortage of stock to the Head of Catering or Catering Manager.
- Under the supervision of the Head of Catering and Domestic Services maintain a hygienic and safe working environment, ensuring that food counters, refrigerators and display cabinets are kept clean and tidy.
- Report any equipment problems or chemical issues immediately to the Head of Catering and Domestic Services
- Report to the Head of Catering and Domestic Services any cause for concern with regard to lighting, equipment, working area and general surroundings of the food preparation and service areas.
- Report any accidents or injuries.
- To be aware of, carry out and adhere to the School’s Health, Safety and food hygiene policies at all times.
- Carry out any duty as may be reasonably requested by the Head of Catering and Domestic Services.
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Qualifications/Experience
Essential
- Level 2 NVQ in food production or similar
- Experience of working in a similar, high volume kitchen environment such as a school, hotel or conference center at a commis chef level.
Desirable:
- Level 2 food hygiene.
- Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding policies.
- Knowledge of working in the education sector.
- Ability/Skills
Essential
- Capable of working on his/her own initiative.
- Have the ability to get on well with colleagues, staff and pupils
Desirable
- Possess a full driving licence.
- Personal Attributes
Essential
- Self-motivated.
- Able to work on own initiative
- Able to cope well in high pressure moments.
- Have an exemplary attendance record in respect of his/her present and previous employment.
- Highly presentable and approachable.
Child Protection
All members of staff must comply with the School’s Safeguarding & Welfare Policy which is posted on the staff intranet. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the postholder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the policy. A copy of the School’s policy accompanies this job description.
Salary
dependent on qualifications, Skills and Experience
Hours of Work
This is a part-time post (20 hours per week). Working hours are to be discussed and there is some flexibility in how these hours are rota’ed.
Probationary Period
This appointment will be subject to the completion of a probationary period of six months to the satisfaction of the Governors.
Lunch Period
The lunch break is unpaid and does not form part of your working hours. A complimentary lunch is available when the Dining Hall is in operation.
Leisure facilities
Subject always to the needs of pupils and School’s operations, staff are offered free access at stipulated times to the School’s sports facilities
Confidentiality
The need for absolute confidentiality and discretion, both within Highgate and the wider community, must be understood.
Dress Code
Teachers and support staff are expected to set an example to pupils and should dress appropriately at all times.
Smoking
Smoking, including vaping, is not allowed on or immediately outside any School premises (the footprint of the buildings and the grounds) or in areas where smoking might be seen by parents or pupils during working hours.
Health and Safety
Highgate takes its obligations under the Health & Safety at Work Act seriously and the postholder will be required to comply with all aspects of Highgate’s Health and Safety Policy, particularly in relation to safe working practices. All staff must keep up to date with Highgate’s Health and Safety Policies which are regularly updated and posted on the Staff Intranet.
Equality and Diversity
Highgate is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments please let us know at application stage if you have any special requirements.
Data Protection
Highgate staff are expected to adhere to the Data Protection legislation at all times. Our Privacy Notice is available on the recruitment portal.
Working at Highgate
A culture of community, kindness and belonging
Highgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
In a recent ISI inspection (Dec 2021), it was noted that “Pupils show exceptional respect for, and appreciate diversity within the school and wider community, and their own and other cultures, demonstrating sensitivity and tolerance to those from different backgrounds and traditions.”
Staff wellbeing
Highgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
Charitable work and sustainability
As an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible – through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham – an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.
Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.
As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.
Application procedure
- Closing Date: 14th July 2023
- Timing of interviews: w/c 3rd July, 2023
Contact: Jamie.scott@highgateschool.org.uk, Head of Catering is happy to answer any questions about this post.
Early Application: Applications will be considered ‘as and when’ received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.
Apply here