Production Chef

Job Title: Production Chef – Daytime Weekdays Only

Location: Broomhill, Sheffield (HQ)

Company: The Steel Spoon

Pay: £14.00 per hour

Contract: Permanent, 37.5 paid hours per week (Monday – Friday)

Availability: Immediate Start

Shift Patterns Available (Please state your preference when applying):

• Early Shift: 06:00 – 14:00 (Includes a 30-minute unpaid break)
• Day Shift: 07:00 – 15:00 (Includes a 30-minute unpaid break)

Company Overview

The Steel Spoon Ltd is a rapidly expanding, premium catering provider specialising in the early years and education sectors. Operating from our modern, state-of-the-art central production kitchen in Broomhill, Sheffield, we produce over 400 highly nutritious, allergy-safe meals daily for nurseries and schools across the region. We pride ourselves on scratch-cooking, sugar-free desserts, and industry-leading dietary safeguarding.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Production Chef to drive our daily food production. As the engine of our central kitchen, you will take ownership of the high-volume batch cooking and ensure our daily EYFS-compliant menus are prepared flawlessly.

Because our meals are collected by drivers for immediate regional delivery, hitting strict morning dispatch deadlines is critical. This role offers an exceptional work-life balance, operating strictly on daytime hours during the standard working week. It is the ideal position for a skilled chef looking to step away from late nights, split shifts, and weekend hospitality hours, while still executing high-quality, scratch-cooked food.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute the high-volume, scratch-cooking preparation of our daily menus, maintaining exceptional quality and consistency across 400+ daily portions.
• Accurately and rapidly portion hot food into specialised thermal delivery containers, ensuring all routes are ready for precise driver dispatch deadlines.
• Meticulously prepare and package specific dietary and allergen-safe ("Mirror-Image") meals in accordance with our zero-tolerance cross-contamination protocols.
• Lead the breakdown and reset of the kitchen post-dispatch, including deep cleaning, pot-washing, and prep work for the next day's menu.
• Ensure all working areas maintain flawless EHO compliance and hygiene standards at all times.

Requirements

• Proven experience working within a central production kitchen, contract catering, or high-volume environment.
• Exceptional time-management skills with the ability to function efficiently under the pressure of strict dispatch deadlines.
• A strong understanding of food safety, hygiene, and modern allergy management.
• Level 2 Food Hygiene certification (minimum).
• Highly reliable and punctual.
• A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is highly preferred.

Employee Benefits

We offer a highly competitive work-life balance package rarely found in the culinary sector:

• Monday to Friday only: No weekend shifts whatsoever.
• Daytime hours only: No evenings or split shifts.
• Bank Holidays: All standard UK bank holidays off.
• Festive Shutdown: Guaranteed week off between Christmas and New Year.

Pay: £14.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Work Location: In person