Company Description RESTART Lives is a small London homelessness charity supporting homeless people to break the cycle of homelessness and move towards independent living, feeling more empowered, confident and resilient. We focus in particular on supporting our clients to take steps towards self-sufficiency via finding employment.
Role Description This is a part-time Chef role based at a drop-in centre in Knightsbridge, London. The Chef will work on Friday afternoons and evenings (approximately 3.30pm to 9.30pm, 5 to 6 hours per week) to prepare and serve nutritious meals for approximately 90 to 120 people experiencing homelessness. The role is paid at £18 per hour.
Responsibilities include planning and cooking large-scale meals using a mix of donated and purchased ingredients, ensuring meals are balanced, culturally appropriate, and meet halal and vegetarian dietary requirements. The Chef will design adaptable weekly menus such as pasta dishes, curries, rice based meals, and salads, including examples like pasta with ragu, vegetable and chickpea mild curry, rice with chicken and vegetables, and similar wholesome dishes alongside basic salads. We are also open to evolving and shaping the menu with the new Chef’s input.
The Chef will manage food preparation and timing for efficient service, maintain high standards of hygiene and food safety in line with regulations, and work collaboratively with staff and volunteers in a busy community kitchen environment.
Qualifications
- Professional experience as a Chef in a commercial, community, or high volume catering environment, with proven ability to cook for large groups
- Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene standards, and kitchen best practices, ideally supported by a Level 3 Food Safety certification
- Understanding of nutrition and ability to prepare balanced, cost effective meals at scale
- Experience or strong awareness of working with vulnerable adults or within a homelessness, charity, or social care setting is highly desirable
- Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise, and deliver meals within tight service windows
- Ability to work flexibly with changing ingredients, particularly when using donated surplus food
- Strong interpersonal skills, with a compassionate, respectful, and team oriented approach when working alongside staff, volunteers, and service users
- Reliability, initiative, and a commitment to equality, diversity, and supporting people experiencing homelessness
