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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious, nutritious meals and lead a passionate kitchen team.
- Company: Join Chefs in Schools to revolutionise school food culture.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community and engage with students.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through healthy eating.
- Qualifications: Experience in cooking and a passion for food education.
The predicted salary is between 15900 - 17300 £ per year.
We’re thrilled to be partnering with Chefs in Schools to transform our school food and culture. We believe every child deserves access to fresh, nutritious, and delicious meals cooked from scratch. We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Head Chef to join our friendly and committed team. As we are such a small school, this role requires flexibility, the ability to work independently and the confidence to make decisions.
Our goals
- Improve the quality of school meals using fresh, nutritious ingredients.
- Enhance food education and promote a positive food culture across the school.
- Train and support kitchen teams to deliver lasting improvements.
- Engage the whole school community in championing better food.
We want our Head Chef to feel fully embedded in school life. They will be recognised as a key member of staff, included in events and communications, and supported through ongoing professional development and team‑building. We also encourage strong collaboration between the kitchen team and teaching staff to enrich the curriculum through food education.
Head Chef training and support
Our Head Chef will benefit from a focused, hands‑on training programme designed to build a high‑quality, sustainable in‑house food service. From day one, this includes support with kitchen setup and efficient systems for food safety, ordering, and workflow. With practical training, tailored guidance, and ongoing support from an experienced Chef Trainer, they will be empowered to develop menus, refine operations, and lead a thriving, values‑driven school food culture.
Food Preparation, Quality and Standards
- To prepare fresh food to meet the specified standards.
- To prepare meals in accordance with an agreed seasonal menu cycle and to change this in accordance with the school food standards and allowing for allergen issues, ensuring full adherence to recipes, food presentation standards and portion control.
- To understand and cater for the needs of those pupils with special dietary requirements.
- To work to deadlines to ensure meals are served promptly.
- To ensure that meals are presented and served in an attractive way.
- To ensure that work is carried out hygienically, safely and tidily within current legislative framework.
- To help promote the uptake of school lunches through taster days, parent events and other events.
- To support the School’s emphasis on pupils’ health and well‑being.
- To support on projects such as a kitchen garden on the school site and food recycling projects.
Option, once the role has been established
- To lead cooking classes for children and liaise with school staff on using school garden produce.
- On occasion, and with agreement, to lead on food preparation for special events, which may be outside normal hours.
Administration
- To be responsible for the financial and administrative tasks associated with ordering food and sundries, including checking delivery notes and invoices.
- To monitor, control and reduce waste and make recommendations to the Operations Manager for menu adjustments.
- To work with the office manager when providing management information including the breakdown of meal numbers and meal costs on a weekly basis and on request.
- To conduct stock takes on a monthly basis and on request.
- To report any complaints or incidents to the School Business Manager or Headteacher.
Health and Safety
- To ensure that policies and procedures with regard to health and safety and hygiene are understood by all kitchen staff and always adhered to.
- To ensure cleaning schedules are carried out.
- To always wear the correct uniform.
- To ensure all kitchen equipment is maintained in good condition and any faults are reported to the School and the Business Manager.
Conduct
- To be familiar with all relevant School policies, rules and procedures and any changes to these.
- To set a standard of behaviour to colleagues which is polite, honest and friendly.
- To deal with children in a polite, professional and friendly manner at all times and to seek guidance where necessary from Business Manager and the Headteacher.
General
- Any other duties which may reasonably be regarded as within the nature of the duties and responsibilities of the post.
Job Types: Part‑time, Permanent
Pay: £15.31‑£16.62 per hour
Expected hours: 25 per week
Work Location: In person
Head Chef employer: Graffham CE Infant School
Contact Detail:
Graffham CE Infant School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school culture! Before your interview, take some time to understand the values and mission of the school. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food education! When chatting with the hiring team, share your ideas on how to engage students and staff in better food practices. This will highlight your commitment to transforming school meals and culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your flexibility! Since this role requires adaptability, think of examples from your past where you've successfully navigated changes or challenges in a kitchen environment. This will prove you're the right fit for their dynamic team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared about the school's food initiatives or team dynamics. This shows you're engaged and eager to contribute to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for food and cooking shine through! We want to see how dedicated you are to transforming school meals and creating a positive food culture.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in food preparation, kitchen management, or working with children. We love seeing how your background aligns with our goals at Chefs in Schools!
Be Yourself: Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. We’re looking for someone who will fit into our friendly team, so show us what makes you unique!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Graffham CE Infant School
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with fresh, nutritious ingredients and how they can be used in school meals. Be ready to discuss your experience with seasonal menus and how you would adapt them for dietary requirements.
✨Show Your Passion for Food Education
Demonstrate your commitment to enhancing food education. Think of examples where you've engaged a community or taught others about healthy eating, and be prepared to share these stories during the interview.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this role requires flexibility, think of times when you've had to adapt quickly in a kitchen environment. Share specific examples that highlight your ability to work independently and make decisions under pressure.
✨Team Spirit Matters
Emphasise your collaborative skills. Be ready to discuss how you've worked with other staff members in the past, especially in a school setting, to create a positive food culture and support students' health and well-being.