Kitchen Lead

Position: Kitchen Lead (Contract)
Location: Greater London

This part-time position has a starting salary of £15,352 per annum based on a 20 hour working week, pro-rata to £27,634.

This is a 6 month fixed-term contract or secondment opportunity, commencing 1st April 2026.

We are excited to be hiring a Kitchen Lead / Cook to join our fantastic team, leading kitchen shifts at Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD). The role will be primarily based at Thames Young Mariners, Riverside Drive, Ham, near Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7RX
. Occasionally there will be a requirement to work at our other sites in Dorking and Guildford.

Our Offer to You

Playing a valuable part in the outdoor learning experience of our guests
Working amongst a friendly and dynamic team
Working with a range of customers and projects
Working at 3 unique centres in beautiful locations
26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
A generous local government salary related pension
Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About

The Role

SOLD is a provider of high-quality outdoor learning programmes. Our catering team prides itself on feeding our visitors home cooked and freshly prepared nutritious meals, fuelling 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.

To find out more about what we do, please visit our website:
Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development.

As a Kitchen Lead / Cook, you'll play a key role in leading, supporting, and motivating our kitchen team. You'll be preparing, cooking, and serving meals for a wide range of guests - from school children to adult groups.

From time to time, you'll also help deliver themed events, giving you the chance to bring your creativity to life. Outdoor cooking and serving are part of these exciting occasions, adding variety and fun to the role.

Your responsibilities will also include:

Staff mentoring and development
Ordering and stock control
Menu planning
Ensuring tasty, high-quality food is delivered every day
No two days are the same, so adaptability is key to meeting the changing needs of our groups.

Working Hours

Shifts to cover:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, either AM/PM or varied

Early shifts start from 6am and late shifts typically finish no later than 8pm

Centres are open seven days a week

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

Positive and motivational leadership and communication skills
Holder of, or working towards, Food Hygiene Level 3
Excellent craft skills

Experience of cooking for large groups and catering for a wide range of needs

Experience of adapting to special diets and allergens
Excellent planning and time management skills with ability to work using own initiative
Positive and solution focussed

The role holder will need to have the willingness and ability to travel around the county to meet the demands of the role.

To apply , we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

Please tell us what motivated you to apply for the role of Kitchen Lead with Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development?
Please tell us what key skills, abilities, and experience you have, whether from previous roles or other contexts, that you believe would help you succeed in this role? Please include any transferable skills.
How do you describe your style of cooking?
What is the average number of meals you have catered for in a sitting?

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 01.02.2026 with interviews planned to follow.

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