Job Introduction
Chef - Lead with Passion, Cook with Purpose!
Location: Magdalen College School, Cowley Place, Oxford, OX4 1DZ
Salary: £13.63 per hour
Hours: 40 hours per week
Working Pattern: 5 days per week
About The School
Magdalen College School Is an Independent Day School serving Breakfast and Lunch. The School Operates a Traditional Monday to Friday Calendar. MCS currently has 977 students and roughly 175 staff. We Have a Main Dining Hall Serving Roughly 700 Lunches Per Day. The school has two retail outlets – A Tuck Shop and A Coffee Shop. The School does like to Host, and does Boast of a busy Hospitality Calendar. MCS does Compete in Sport with the larger Independent Boarding Schools, as a result they Host Sport Teas most Saturdays.
The Role
Are you ready to take the lead in a kitchen where food fuels not just bodies but bright futures? As a Chef De Partie for Sodexo, you'll be at the heart of the school, overseeing food and beverage operations, managing budgets, and ensuring every meal is top-tier. You'll assist the Sous chef with maintaining high level of food standard and presentation and you will be required to work during some of the school holidays on a rota basis.
Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your own way .
What You’ll Do:
* Assist the Sous Chef as appropriate and where necessary to maintain high levels of food standards and presentation and over-all effectiveness of the staff output laid down in the Service Level Agreement and to the menu specification bespoke to Magdalen College School.
* Assist and prepare all food with due care and attention, particularly regarding customers’ special dietary requirements: for example but not limited to, nut, dairy or wheat allergies.
* To aid and have an active input in maintaining the 3-week menu cycles in line with the School menu specification.
* Cover all areas as detailed in rota incorporating breakfast and lunch services and when necessary to provide theatre cooking in either one of our retail outlets.
* You will be required to work – On a rota basis – During some of the school holidays. This will be divided up fairly between the CDP team.
* Cook and serve lunch for a small group of Support staff who work throughout the year.
* Assist and work school functions and outside hospitality as required, some of which may occur outside of normal working hours. Such functions will be shared between the chef brigade on a rota basis.
* Ensure that appropriate methods of cooking and presentation are used to maintain the highest standards of production and service.
* Assist with maintenance of goods received system to ensure statutory and quality standards are maintained.
* Promote and maintain a friendly working relationship with colleagues. A real team player.
What You Bring:
Essential:
* Experience cooking on a large scale (100–1300 students)
* Experience following recipes in a professional kitchen
* Strong knowledge of fresh produce and ingredient preparation
* Ability to set and maintain standards and strong level of literacy and numeracy
* Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to be an effective team player
* Understanding of health and safety regulations and the ability to enforce them
* Ability to work under pressure in a busy kitchen environment
* Excellent time management, organisational skills and a passion for food
* Hold basic food handling certifications, including:
o NVQ Level 2
o Level 2 Food Safety Certificate
* At least one year of hands-on cooking experience
Desirable:
* Ability to review problems analytically, develop opportunities and implement innovative solutions / approaches
* Advanced Food Safety or Health and Safety qualification
What We Offer:
* A dynamic and supportive work environment
* Competitive salary and benefits
* Full training and protective uniform provided
* Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support
* Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support
* Discounts, cashback schemes, and financial benefits
* Career progression, learning opportunities, and apprenticeships
* Cycle to Work Scheme and volunteering opportunities
At Sodexo, we believe everyone deserves a place to belong. This isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. If you’re ready to lead with passion and cook with purpose, we want to hear from you!