At a Glance
- Tasks: Create inspiring school menus and train catering teams to deliver delicious meals.
- Company: Centurion Staunch Innovative Solutions Ltd, a leader in school catering innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hands-on training, and the chance to make a difference in children's lives.
- Other info: Opportunity to work across multiple schools and enhance your culinary career.
- Why this job: Join us to revolutionise school meals and inspire the next generation of chefs.
- Qualifications: Experience in school or large-scale catering and strong recipe scaling skills.
The predicted salary is between 20.75 - 20.75 £ per hour.
This is not a standard development chef role. We are looking for an innovative, practical and collaborative School Menu Development Chef to inspire and develop school catering teams and deliver outstanding meals for children. You will design fresh, seasonal menus (updated twice per year), ensure compliance with School Food Standards and Food for Life criteria, deliver audits and improvement recommendations, run taster sessions and demonstrations at schools, and support/upskill school cooks in producing high-quality, cost-effective meals at scale. This role supports large-scale catering operations serving millions of meals annually and requires a mix of menu development, practical recipe scaling, training and hands-on kitchen support.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement fresh, seasonal school menus that meet School Food Standards and Food for Life criteria (menus changed twice yearly).
- Translate small-scale recipes into large-scale recipes (e.g., scaling to serve up to 200+).
- Inspire, train and upskill school cooks and catering teams through coaching, demonstrations and on-site support.
- Carry out kitchen audits, identify opportunities for improvement and provide clear, practical recommendations.
- Promote the school meal offer through taster sessions, food demonstrations and school events.
- Ensure strict allergen management and food safety/compliance in all menus and procedures.
- Support continuous improvement across school and commercial catering operations (portion control, cost management, consistency).
- Travel between the central kitchen and schools to provide on-site support as required.
Requirements Person Specification — Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience in school catering or substantial experience in large-scale/public sector catering environments.
- Awareness and working knowledge of School Food Standards and government guidance for school meals.
- Strong understanding of allergen compliance and management in a school setting.
- Demonstrable ability to scale recipes and produce consistent high-quality output at volume.
- Confident trainer/coach — experience delivering practical training and demonstrations to kitchen teams.
- Good written and verbal communication skills; able to engage pupils, staff and parents at events.
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel between sites.
- Experience working with Food for Life or similar quality food accreditation.
- Prior experience developing special dietary menus (e.g., dairy-free, allergen-specific menus).
- Previous experience working across multiple school sites or local-authority catering services.
Practical Details / Clarifications
- Geography: Role supports up to 52 schools across the council area and 2 schools in Derby.
- School visits per week: Variable — dependent on school needs (could be 1 site or multiple); the majority of development work will be at the head office/central kitchen.
- Contract duration: Current assignment runs until end of March (fixed-term).
- Menu creation frequency: Menus are created/updated twice per year. There is also periodic work for bespoke special-diet menus (e.g., allergy-specific).
- Mandatory requirements: None additional specified at this stage.
- Rate: £20.75 per hour (umbrella) — rate is fixed and non-negotiable.
How to Apply
Please send a CV highlighting your school/large-scale catering experience and examples of menu development or training delivered to: Whether you are already enrolled on the client’s supply chain (please indicate enrolment status), or if you are a new supplier. Your availability and confirmation you can work full-time to end of March. Confirmation you can travel between sites and hold a valid driving licence.
Privacy Assurance
All personal information provided during the recruitment process will be handled securely and processed in accordance with GDPR. Data will be used only for recruitment, onboarding and compliance purposes and will not be shared outside authorised channels.
Development Chef in Nottingham employer: Centurionstaunch
Centurion Staunch Innovative Solutions Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Wrexham where you can lead transformative housing services. With a strong focus on employee growth and sustainability, we foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering our team to make a meaningful impact on the community. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values operational excellence and supports your professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef in Nottingham
✨Join Food Science Communities
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We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Centurionstaunch, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Centurionstaunch. Make it personal and compelling!
Include Certifications:If you have any certifications related to food science, safety, or technology, be sure to mention them. These can really set you apart from other candidates! List them prominently on your CV and discuss how they relate to the role at Centurionstaunch. It shows you're committed to your professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Centurionstaunch
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
✨Show Off Your Project Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant projects or research you've undertaken in food science. Whether it’s developing a new recipe, conducting taste tests, or analysing nutritional content, having tangible examples can really show off your expertise and passion for the field.
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Don't underestimate the importance of teamwork and communication in food science roles. Be ready to highlight instances where you’ve effectively collaborated with others or communicated complex scientific ideas clearly. This can make a huge difference in landing that full-time gig!
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Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Centurionstaunch’s mission.
