PVG Chef - School Catering
Pay Rate: £16.00ph + Holiday Pay (HP) = £17.93ph
Hours: School catering shifts are typically available Monday to Friday. The number of shifts offered will vary depending on client requirements, with some weeks offering one shift or day of work and others offering multiple shifts throughout the week.
Location: Various school locations across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee. Work locations will vary depending on available assignments.
Essential Requirement: You must hold a current PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) Scheme membership to be considered for this role. A PVG is Scotland's safeguarding check for individuals working with children or protected adults.
Job Summary
We are currently looking for an experienced and reliable PVG Chef to work within a school catering environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing and serving nutritious, high-quality meals for pupils and staff while maintaining excellent standards of food safety, hygiene, and cleanliness.
This role would suit a professional chef who enjoys working in a friendly, structured environment and is passionate about providing quality food and excellent service to children and young people.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare, cook, and present fresh, nutritious meals for pupils and staff.
- Follow agreed menus, recipes, portion sizes, and nutritional guidelines.
- Cater for dietary requirements, allergies, and special dietary needs in line with school procedures.
- Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, and consistency.
- Ensure all food preparation and storage complies with food safety and hygiene regulations.
- Complete relevant temperature checks, cleaning schedules, and food safety records.
- Maintain a clean, organised, and hygienic kitchen and food service areas.
- Assist with stock control, including checking deliveries, rotating stock, and monitoring food levels.
- Minimise food waste and use ingredients efficiently.
- Work closely with catering colleagues and school staff to ensure smooth meal services.
- Serve meals in a friendly and professional manner.
- Follow all school safeguarding, health and safety, and operational procedures.
- Report any concerns relating to food safety, equipment, stock, or safeguarding to the appropriate manager.
- Assist with cleaning and closing-down procedures.
- Carry out any other reasonable duties required to support the smooth running of the school catering operation.
Requirements
- Previous professional cooking or catering experience.
- Experience working in a school, care, healthcare, nursery, or other similar environment is desirable.
- Good knowledge of food hygiene and health and safety procedures.
- Understanding of allergen management and special dietary requirements.
- Ability to follow menus, recipes, portion controls, and nutritional standards.
- Good organisational and time-management skills.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Friendly, professional, and approachable manner.
- Reliable, punctual, and able to work independently when required.
- PVG membership.
Personal Qualities
- Passionate about preparing and serving quality food.
- Patient and approachable when working around children and young people.
- Responsible and safety-conscious.
- Well organised and able to work calmly during busy service periods.
- Flexible and willing to support colleagues.
- High standards of personal hygiene and presentation.
Working Environment
The role is based within a school catering environment and may involve early starts, Monday-to-Friday working patterns, and term-time schedules depending on the school and contract. The successful candidate must be committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and professional environment for pupils, staff, and visitors.
Arc Hospitality is currently recruiting reliable and enthusiastic PVG General Assistants to work within school environments across Scotland.
This is a great opportunity for individuals with experience in hospitality, catering, cleaning, or customer service who enjoy working as part of a team and want to make a positive contribution within a school setting.
The Role
As a General Assistant, you will support the smooth running of the school's daily operations. Duties can vary depending on the school but will primarily involve catering, food service, cleaning, and maintaining high standards across dining and communal areas.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with the preparation and service of food and refreshments.
- Serve meals to pupils and staff in a friendly and professional manner.
- Set up and clear dining areas before and after service.
- Clear tables, wash dishes, and maintain clean and hygienic areas.
- Assist kitchen and catering staff with general duties and basic food preparation.
- Follow food hygiene, allergen, health & safety, and school procedures.
- Replenish food, drinks, and supplies as required.
- Assist with deliveries, stock storage, and stock rotation.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment.
- Work professionally and respectfully around children and young people.
- Report any concerns regarding health & safety, food safety, maintenance, or safeguarding.
- Support the wider school and catering team with other reasonable duties as required.
What We're Looking For
- Previous experience in hospitality, catering, cleaning, or customer service is desirable.
- A friendly, positive, and professional attitude.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Reliable, punctual, and hardworking.
- Good attention to detail and high standards of cleanliness.
- Ability to work in a busy environment and follow instructions.
- Comfortable working around children and young people.
- Flexible and willing to support
About Arc Hospitality Recruitment Ltd
Arc Hospitality Recruitment Ltd is an employment agency supplying premium seasonal and temporary staff to many of the UK’s leading sporting, leisure, and heritage venues. All work is offered on a temporary basis and applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
We operate a merit-based recruitment process; due to the high volume of applications received, only those shortlisted will be contacted. Arc is a proud Equal Opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the grounds of age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Your application and personal data will be handled in line with our Privacy Policy and UK GDPR.