Chef / Cook Location: Tokers Green, Reading, Berkshire Salary: £13.87ph - £15.33ph (actual annual salary £26,053.38 - £29,171.52) dependant on experience Contract: Permanent Hours : 40 hours per week, term time plus 2 weeks Start Date: As soon as possible Aurora Rowan School Part of the Aurora Group, Aurora Rowan School in Tokers Green, Reading, Berkshire opened in November 2024, supporting young people aged 6 -16 with Moderate to Severe Learning and Specific Learning Disabilities needs including autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and associated difficulties, who require an individualised, specialist approach. We are a passionate team that put the opportunity to provide the best possible outcomes for our children and young people in their preparation for adult life at the centre of all we do and all our decision making. The support we will provide enables each of our students to engage and progress at their own level within a learning environment designed to help them achieve their full potential as they reach adulthood. We are currently looking to recruit a Chef / Cook to join our expanding team and work alongside the School Business Manager to provide a nutritious food provision that caterers for all our pupil’s needs. Key Duties: Establish consistencies in meal and snack preparation whilst considering the dietary & sensory needs of the individual young people Cost meal plans whilst considering a balanced, healthy diet that the young people will enjoy Use creativity and experience to ensure meals are varied Source and build on cost effective supplier relationships Lead, motivate, engage and develop staff to encourage high performance Communicate effectively at all times both verbally and in writing which ensures clarity regarding the ordering, preparation and delivery of all food Ensure that health and safety, food hygiene and other standards are adhered to across the site Please note that duties will vary and you will be expected to contribute to the overall aims of Aurora Rowan School when required, Please see the link below for our full job description:. Job Description - Chef Skills and Qualifications Experience of managing a catering environment with the potential for multiple and complex dietary requirements Experience of planning and preparing menus to ensure balanced, healthy eating and variety Working knowledge of health and safety legislation (including COSHH regulations, manual handling and food hygiene procedures) and requirements in relation to food preparation Experienced in carrying regular equipment/maintenance check and recording as and when required Good standards of literacy, numeracy, written and verbal communication Possess good working knowledge of kitchen equipment and cleaning schedules Proven ability to prioritise tasks and work flexibly as appropriate Committed to promoting the health, welfare and safeguarding of children and young adults Level 2 Food Hygiene Certified or above Have experience of cooking for between 40 -80 people What’s on offer? 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. 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. 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 Scheme and Life Assurance. 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. 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 24/7. Refer a friend for £1,000 - We’ll reward you for recommending friends and family to come and join the company (terms apply) How to Apply: You can apply online by completing our online application form. For more information on this position please contact liz.hudsonthe-aurora-group.com Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children. The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer. This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.