The Platform Cafe: Head Chef and Kitchen Manager
About: The Platform Café is a busy community cafe in the heart of Loughborough Junction, South London. Each day we prepare a homemade vegetarian and vegan menu using freshly picked seasonal produce grown at our sister project, the Loughborough Farm community garden, as well as surplus donations.
We offer outside catering and deliver workshops, events, supper clubs, volunteer programmes, training and work placement opportunities for local people experiencing barriers into employment. The cafe provides facilities for a large range of community groups and runs a takeaway free meals programme for people in need. We are a project of local social action charity, the Loughborough Junction Action Group.
Paid role: Part-time / Full-time Head Chef and Kitchen Manager (job share available for part-time enquiries) on an initial 6-12 month contract as this is maternity cover.
Role description: A creative role where you will plan, design and deliver the menus for the week. The cafe menu is vibrant, nutritious and balanced, reflecting the diverse food cultures of Loughborough Junction. Tasks include food preparation, cooking and serving, as well as some time spent ordering, planning ahead, costings for new dishes, finances and general kitchen management. Menus include our daily dishes (breakfast, brunch, sandwiches, salads, toasties, hot meals, homemade cakes) and batch cooking for our free meals programme. You will be working on site in our cafe in Loughborough Junction and responsible for maintaining a safe, clean and hygienic work environment. As an organisation, we work with volunteers and young people, so a willingness to share your skills and knowledge is also key.
While this role is initially maternity cover, we envisage that the right candidate could have the opportunity to work towards creating a more permanent role, joining our wider charity Loughborough Junction Action Group. Our activities and services include working with schools, delivering a successful Cost of Living programme which supports people with access to healthy food, delivering cookery workshops, gardening and growing, sustainable energy initiatives and supporting small food enterprises with business training.
Skillset and experience: We are looking for an independent, enthusiastic and organised senior chef with several years’ professional experience in a commercial kitchen. Ability to multi-task, work well under pressure and communicate well. Patience, warmth and creativity are key as the role includes supporting young volunteers and staff during kitchen sessions, as well as a shared passion for good food and community. We would love to work with someone with an entrepreneurial drive who can work alongside our Cafe Manager to increase turnover and strengthen the cafe’s financial sustainability.
Level 3 Food Hygiene certificate desirable.
Rate: £30,000 pro rata – dependent on experience
When: up to 35 hours a week: Tuesday – Saturday (job share available)
What will you gain: A chance to be part of a community, in a welcoming, friendly and respectful environment. Experience working with a diverse group of people, flexible working hours, access to training and development. Free lunches/coffee, paid holiday, pension scheme.
Key contact: Charlotte O’Connor
Email: Please send a short cover letter and an up-to-date CV to [email protected] by Friday 9th August 2024.
Address: The Platform Cafe, 2 Ridgway Road, London, SW 7AH
