Head Chef

***PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION***

To submit an application successfully, please complete the teh application form using this link - https://mynewterm.com/jobs/136524/EDV-2026-CSAIA-74379

NOTE: Applications submitted via indeed will not be shortlisted.

Role Summary

• As the Head Chef Educator, you will be responsible for leading, innovating, motivating, and working with a kitchen team whose aim is to serve fresh, interesting, and nutritious school meals within budget which meet Government and the School’s standards at all times.
• You will lead on developing a food and cookery curriculum for the whole school, managing food-related projects, and maintaining high aspirations for the future of food at the school.
• You will run dedicated cooking classes for children to impart vital kitchen skills and food knowledge.
• You will oversee the administrative, financial, safety, and operational tasks of the kitchen, ensuring full compliance with prevailing legislative frameworks.

Key areas of responsibility - What will you be doing

Build Knowledge

• Delivering a broad, balanced, and fresh seasonal 3-week menu cycle that allows for allergen issues and individual student dietary needs.
• Teaching and running cooking classes directly for children to develop their practical culinary skills.
• Employing a variety of methods such as taster days, parent events, theme days, and newsletters—to promote school lunches and nutritional uptake.
• Contributing to school-wide development plans by instigating or collaborating on projects like an on-site herb garden and food recycling initiatives.
• Maintaining a sound foundation and higher-level knowledge of food preparation methods, baking, and multi-disciplinary cuisine.

Build Trust

• Creating a high-quality, hygienic, safe, and tidy kitchen environment which meets internal school criteria and external legislative standards at all times.
• Working collaboratively with the School Gardener, Operations Manager, and School Business Manager to utilize school garden produce and optimize menus.
• Communicating effectively and relating well with all kitchen staff, wider school staff, parents, and pupils.
• Supporting kitchen colleagues through direct training, mentoring, and coaching in basic kitchen skills, hygiene, and safe equipment usage.
• Setting a clear standard of behavior for colleagues and students that is distinctively polite, honest, and friendly.

Prioritisation

• Adapting menu settings and catering food preparation to strictly meet allergen guidelines, specific individual needs, and special dietary requirements.
• Encouraging acceptance and inclusion by catering diligently to students with special dietary needs and supporting positive strategies for promoting equality.
• Creating a polite, honest, friendly, and structured kitchen environment that encourages children to select a balanced meal.
• Managing multiple strict deadlines daily to guarantee that fresh, high-quality meals are presented attractively and served promptly

Clarity and Energy

• Consistently applying school behavior standards, dealing with children in a polite, professional, and friendly manner at all times.
• Delivering special event catering, on occasion and by agreement, which may fall outside of normal working hours.
• Inspiring enthusiasm for food, baking, and culinary education across the entire school community

Follow Up

• Reviewing food waste metrics, monitoring financial adjustments, and making active recommendations to the Operations Manager.
• Preparing, recording, and updating critical administrative data including staff attendance, absences, and monthly stock takes.
• Providing weekly and on-request management information, detailing the breakdown of meal numbers and meal costs.
• Tracking equipment condition, ensuring cleaning schedules are followed, and reporting faults, incidents, or complaints directly to the Business Manager or Headteacher.
• Maintaining absolute confidentiality of information acquired in the course of undertaking duties for the department

Leadership

• Acting as a role model for the kitchen team, ensuring all staff wear correct uniforms and maintain exceptional personal hygiene standards.
• Ensuring sufficient staffing levels at all times, taking accountability for arranging appropriate authorized cover for absences.
• Proactively seeking, creating, and leading on training and induction opportunities (including fire evacuation, first aid, and equipment safety) that have a demonstrably positive impact on the team.
• Taking all necessary operational steps to guarantee the maximum security of kitchen supplies, equipment, and monies.

Qualifications

Essential

Studied to a minimum standard of GCSE (grade 9–4) or equivalent, in English and mathematics

Desirable

Further education qualifications relevant to the field.

Experience

• Experience of catering across multiple culinary disciplines.
• Proven experience of previously managing, assisting, or deputising an autonomous catering unit.
• Experience of leading a kitchen team and training them in basic kitchen skills.
• Strong knowledge of baking and specialized food preparation methods, including portioning, stock rotation, and ordering.
• Demonstrates resilience, determination, and positivity when working effectively in a fast-paced, busy kitchen environment.
• Competent use of administrative processes, IT systems, budget tracking, and basic reporting systems.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of the importance of health and safety and food hygiene in a catering environment

***PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION***

To submit an application successfully, please complete the teh application form using this link - https://mynewterm.com/jobs/136524/EDV-2026-CSAIA-74379

NOTE: Applications submitted via indeed will not be shortlisted.

Pay: £36,926.00 per year

Work Location: In person