This role has a starting salary of £15.30 per hour, comprising of £13.31 per hour plus £1.99 per hour holiday entitlement.

We are excited to be hiring new bank Kitchen Leads / Cooks to join our fantastic team at Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD).

We have breakfast shifts and dinners shifts across our centres, located at:

• High Ashurst Outdoor Centre, Mickleham, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6DQ
• Henley Fort Outdoor Centre, The Mount, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 4RH
• Thames Young Mariners Outdoor Centre, Riverside Drive, Ham, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7RX

Rewards and Benefits

• Annual leave allowance
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Carers leave and volunteering days dependant on agreed working hours
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About SOLD

SOLD is a provider of high-quality outdoor learning programmes. Our catering team prides itself on feeding our visitors homecooked and freshly prepared nutritious meals, fuelling our visitors for busy active days in the outdoors! We offer a hearty and delicious menu and the team cater for a range of dietary needs. The dining experience plays a key role in the overall high-quality experience of our visitors.

About the Role

The Kitchen Lead/ Cook role will lead, support and motivate our team. Preparing, cooking and serving for our guests, who range from school children through to adult groups. From time to time we deliver themed events which will allow you to bring your creative skills to life. Serving and cooking outdoors are all a part of these exciting events which add to the variety of the role. Other areas of responsibility include staff mentoring, ordering, menu planning and stock control.

Each day is different, so adaptability is key to meet the changing needs of our groups and provide tasty, quality food.

Shifts are set one month in advance with early shifts starting at 6am and late shifts finishing usually no later than 8pm. The centres are open all week with some weekend work required and generally no Sunday evenings.

Shortlisting Criteria

You will need to have good organisational skills, sound catering knowledge and experience in a busy kitchen.

To be considered for shortlisting for this position your CV and answers to the questions below will clearly evidence:

• Positive and motivating leadership skills with effective communication
• Holder of / working towards Food Hygiene L3
• Excellent craft skills
• Experience of cooking for large groups and catering for a wide range of needs
• Experience of adapting to special diets / allergens
• Excellent planning and time management skills with ability to work using own initiative
• Positive and solution focussed

As part of your application you will be asked to submit a CV and answer the following questions:

• Please tell us about what made you apply for this role
• Please describe what key skills and experience you have that are relevant for this role
• What is the average number of meals you have catered for in a sitting?
• Please tell us about your experience of leading a small team
• How do you describe your style of cooking?

We will be reviewing applications as they are received and contacting applicants to arrange an interview. Please complete all parts of the application.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.