School Cook Head of Kitchen in Grays

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Chef or Cook to join a dynamic and expanding school meal service. As Head of Kitchen, you will prepare, produce, and deliver high-quality food to pupils and staff, ensuring excellent standards of service and customer care. You will organise and supervise all kitchen and dining room activities, maintain compliance with food safety legislation, and support the wider catering service as required. Flexibility is essential, as you may be asked to work across different school sites within Thurrock. Promote the Catering Service and support the team in staying up to date with new products, promotions, and legislative changes.

Responsibilities

• Organise and deliver a high standard of food service and customer care.
• Prepare, cook, and present meals to required standards.
• Manage ordering, stock control, and kitchen team activities.
• Complete daily, weekly, and monthly operational data reconciliation.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety and hygiene due diligence requirements.
• Support initiatives to increase meal uptake across schools.
• Provide cover across other school kitchens in Thurrock when required.
• Maintain strong customer care ethics and a positive, flexible approach.

Essential

• Experience working as a Chef, Cook, or in a similar catering role.
• Strong customer service skills with a positive, proactive attitude.
• Ability to supervise kitchen operations and staff.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and allergy legislation.
• Flexible approach with the ability to work across multiple sites.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to work independently.
• Pleasant, professional manner with strong communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience within school catering or large-scale meal production.
• Understanding of current catering legislation and best practice.
• Ability to support service improvements and promote uptake.

Thurrock Council's Catering Services team delivers award-winning, Bronze Food for Life accredited meals across the borough. The service provides high-quality, nutritious school meals to 24 primary schools, 3 secondary schools and 2 alternative provision academies, as well as catering for Grangewaters Residential Groups and Holiday Activity Feeding events. With more than one million meals served each year, the team plays a vital role in supporting children, young people, and school communities.