What skills and experience we're looking for
Location: Avanti Grange, Bishop’s Stortford
About us and the role
Are you a passionate culinary professional ready to take on an exciting leadership role?
Join Govinda’s Catering as a Chef Manager, where you’ll oversee kitchen operations, create delicious and nourishing vegetarian meals, and make a meaningful impact in our schools.
At Govinda’s, we pride ourselves on providing high quality food that uplifts both body and mind.
As a Chef Manager, you’ll ensure top-quality food production, maintain high standards of health and safety, and lead a dynamic team dedicated to delivering exceptional service.
If you’re ready to combine your culinary expertise with purpose and leadership, we’d love to welcome you to our growing family!
What will you do?
• Plan, design, and execute creative vegetarian and vegan menus that reflect Govinda’s commitment to providing nutritious, sustainable, and well-balanced meals. Ensure that all dishes are both innovative and aligned with the organisation's values, offering variety and flavour while minimising environmental impact.
• Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of kitchen staff to foster a positive and productive work environment.
• Ensure the Govindas Kitchen operates efficiently, adheres to budgetary targets, and consistently delivers the required level of service.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and ensure all team members are trained in safe working practices, including proper handling of equipment and hazardous substances.
• Manage catering for special events, hospitality requests, and bespoke functions, ensuring creativity and precision
What are we looking for?
• Proven leadership kitchen experience
• A strong understanding of food hygiene and kitchen health and safety.
• Able to lead, mentor, and motivate a team of kitchen staff
• Oversee and deliver recipe development
• Good understanding of inventory management, procurement, and cost control
• Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all students
Please view the full Job Description for more information on the responsibilities and essential criteria required for this role.
What the school offers its staff
Govinda's is dedicated to promoting healthy minds and bodies through nutritious and delicious vegetarian meals. With 10 years of experience, our philosophy is to inspire people to feel good in every aspect of their lives through enjoyable and nourishing food.
We understand the importance of meeting individual needs, by promoting a better understanding of nutrition and the importance of a balanced and varied diet.
Why should you apply
Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place.
You will be working in a fantastic environment, with:
• Great opportunities for professional development
• Pension scheme (subject to eligibility)
• O2 discounts, Specsavers corporate eye test vouchers
• Eligible for NUS Card and CSSC membership
• Well-being programs (retreats, yoga, wellness apps)
• Cycle-to-work and Electric Vehicle Lease Schemes
Further details about the role
Pre-employment checks
Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks.
Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.
Diversity and Inclusion
We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here. This means we will work hard to understand that each employee is unique and ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favourably on the basis of specific characteristics.
Such characteristics include (but are not limited to) age, disability, gender including transgender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and how the school supports pregnant women and new parents.
Commitment to safeguarding
Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks. Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.