Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the food identity of Lexington Independents and support new openings.
- Company: Lexington is a specialist catering company focused on healthy food for Independent Schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy free lunches, flexible working hours, 28-31 days holiday, and paid charity leave.
- Why this job: Join a creative team making a real impact on young minds through food.
- Qualifications: Passionate chef with experience in contract catering and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Flexibility to travel across the UK is essential; work pattern is Monday to Friday.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Our way of saying thank you…At Lexington, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel appreciated & rewarded, which is why we offer generous rewards & benefits in exchange for your dedicated efforts.
- FREE On-Site Lunches: Savour delicious and healthy meals, on us, every day at work
- Flexible Working: Enjoy the freedom to balance work and personal life with our flexible working hours
- Holiday Allowance: Start with 28 days of holiday to relax and recharge, increasing to 31 days after two years of service
- Family Leave: Prioritise your family commitments with our family leave options designed to support you during important times
- Paid Charity Leave: Make a difference in your community with paid time off to volunteer for your favourite causes.
We’re a specialist catering company dedicated to providing delicious, healthy and exciting food for Independent Schools. We know the crucial role that food can play on a pupil’s ability to learn, develop and ultimately flourish. Food isn’t simply fuel, it’s critical to creating happy, healthy and inquisitive young minds.
Lexington is committed to safeguarding children and colleagues. Candidates that are shortlisted for this role will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including Children's Barred List.
What you’ll be doing…As a Development Chef, you will play a key role in shaping the food identity of Lexington Independents (Education Sector). You’ll be responsible for supporting new openings, refreshing existing food offers, training onsite teams, and ensuring that every plate reflects the high standards and creativity we’re known for. This is a nationwide role, so flexibility to travel and stay overnight as needed is essential.
Responsibilities:
- Develop training and support materials to drive compliance.
- Proactively identify problem sites and work with operations and other functions to improve financial and operational performance
- Take on food-related projects and manage cross-functional food initiatives
- Provide a collaborative approach for client group and wider stakeholders by working with Marketing & Promotions Managers and Executive Chefs to provide effective and innovative ongoing solutions in line with the annual marketing calendar
Work Pattern: Monday to Friday. Flexible contract options available – either Term Time Only or Full Year (52 weeks).
What are we looking for? In this role:
- A passionate and creative chef with a strong background in contract catering, hospitality or restaurants.
- Proven experience in a development or multi-site support role is highly desirable.
- Excellent communication and training skills.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to different environments.
- Flexibility to travel across the UK and stay overnight when required.
- A full UK driving licence.
Development Chef employer: Lexington Independents
Contact Detail:
Lexington Independents Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the catering and hospitality industry. Attend relevant events or join online forums where you can connect with others who work in contract catering or have experience as a Development Chef. This can help you gain insights into the role and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your creativity by developing a unique dish or menu concept that aligns with Lexington's focus on healthy and exciting food for schools. You could even prepare a short presentation or video to demonstrate your culinary skills and innovative ideas, which can set you apart during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in contract catering and child nutrition. Being knowledgeable about current dietary guidelines and popular food trends can help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and show your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience in training and supporting teams. Think of specific examples where you've successfully improved team performance or enhanced food offerings, as this will demonstrate your ability to fulfil one of the key responsibilities of the Development Chef role.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in contract catering, hospitality, or restaurants. Emphasise any roles where you developed training materials or supported multi-site operations, as these are key aspects of the Development Chef position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food and creativity. Mention specific examples of how you've contributed to food identity in previous roles and how you can bring that expertise to Lexington. Show enthusiasm for their mission in the education sector.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your communication and training skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've successfully trained teams or improved operational performance in past positions, as these are crucial for the role.
Prepare for the DBS Check: Since the role requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, be prepared to discuss your background and any relevant experiences during the application process. This shows your understanding of the safeguarding responsibilities involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lexington Independents
✨Show Your Passion for Food
As a Development Chef, it's crucial to demonstrate your passion for food and creativity during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you've created or innovative ideas you've implemented in previous roles to showcase your culinary skills.
✨Highlight Your Training Experience
Since training onsite teams is a key responsibility, be prepared to discuss your experience in training others. Provide examples of how you've successfully developed training materials or led workshops that improved team performance.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
Given the nationwide role and the need for travel, emphasise your flexibility and ability to adapt to different environments. Share experiences where you've successfully managed multiple priorities or adapted to new challenges in your previous roles.
✨Understand the Company’s Values
Research Lexington's commitment to providing healthy and exciting food for Independent Schools. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of creating happy, healthy young minds through food.
