School Head Chef

Crookhorn College is a thriving and inclusive secondary school committed to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our students. We pride ourselves on our strong community spirit and our dedication to the well-being of both students and staff. Our school catering provision is a crucial aspect to this, by providing nutritious and appealing meals that contribute to a positive school day, helping students to benefit from healthy tasty food. We are seeking a passionate Head Chef to lead our school kitchen team from September 2025. You will be responsible for the daily planning, preparation and delivery of high-quality, healthy meals for our students and staff. This is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled chef looking for a next step, who is driven and looking to make a positive impact on young people's lives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Working with an Executive Chef to offer varied and nutritious meals, taking into account dietary requirements and school food standards.
• Overseeing all aspects of food preparation and cooking, ensuring high standards of quality and presentation.
• Managing and motivating all members of the kitchen team.
• Ensuring compliance with all food safety and hygiene regulations.
• Managing stock levels, ordering supplies, and controlling food costs.
• Understanding of finance and menu costing.
• Maintaining a clean and organised kitchen environment.
• Liaising with the school leadership team regarding catering needs and events.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Proven experience in a senior chef position, preferably within a school or similar catering environment.
• Excellent culinary skills and a passion for creating appealing and healthy food.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• A thorough understanding of food safety and hygiene regulations (e.g., Level 2/3 Food Safety).
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Crookhorn is a vibrant College, offering a challenging role in a forward-looking environment, with innovative community developments and collaborations. The successful candidate will join an enterprising, highly skilled and motivated team of teaching and support staff. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks. Application forms are available on the Crookhorn College website or by request from the College. The closing date is 20 June 2025.