Catering Manager in Chigwell

Chigwell Primary Academy is looking for a Catering Manager who can whip up a mean mac & cheese, serve up smiles and maybe even master the art of the perfect consistency for custard. No cape required – just bring your sense of humour, a love for children, and the ability to navigate a lunch rush like a pro. If you can handle the heat of the kitchen (and a few picky eaters), we want you on our team! Apply now and become the unsung hero of our school's lunch hour, providing children with their fuel for school.

Hours for this role are 08:30 – 13:45 Monday to Thursday (26.25 hours per week), during term time only – including 5 INSET days (39 weeks per year).

We are looking for a Catering Manager to be responsible for cooking healthy, nutritious, and appealing meals for our pupils and staff. The successful applicant will be part of a drive to increase the uptake of school meals further in the school. You will be leading a team of 2 who have vital roles within the kitchen.

Responsibilities include:

• Operational efficiency of the catering service
• Planning, preparation, and presentation of food to the required standard within the budget limitations as agreed with the school management
• Maintenance of the highest standards of personnel management, hygiene and health and safety

Currently, we prepare and serve 150/170 meals a day and are aiming to increase this to 200. We are looking to recruit a friendly and child‑focused Catering Manager to prepare delicious home‑cooked food for our pupils. Someone with kitchen experience and a passion for home‑cooked food is desirable.

Qualifications and Attributes:

• Hard‑working, honest, dependable, and self‑motivated
• Capable of establishing good working relationships with staff, pupils, and parents
• An exceptional cook, passionate about healthy, high‑quality nutrition
• Committed to teamwork
• Child‑centered and solution‑focused

You will have a passion for cooking and providing high quality meals using fresh, local produce as well as delivering exceptional service to our children. The successful applicant can expect to work as part of a committed school team as well as a wider support network of our REAch2EAT Catering Team.

What We Offer:

• A firm commitment to you and your professional development
• Friendly, supportive, enthusiastic, and hardworking colleagues, staff and governors
• An inspiring learning community
• Encouragement to develop new ideas and the opportunity to make a real difference
• Opportunities to further develop your career within our Multi Academy Trust, REAch2
• A support network within REAch2EAT including our Catering Lead
• And, most importantly, AMAZING children just waiting to meet you

Benefits:

• Generous Annual Leave: healthy work‑life balance
• Professional Development: Access diverse CPD and training opportunities to grow your skills
• Flexible & Family‑Friendly: We are committed to supporting flexible working and requests will be considered on an individual basis
• Exclusive Discounts: Benefit from Blue Light Card offers and employee perks
• Well‑being Support: Receive comprehensive well‑being and employee assistance for you and your family

At REAch2 we recognise that those who work in an academy are in a unique position in their care of children. The responsibility for all staff to safeguard pupils and promote their welfare is central to our ethos, our policies and our actions. All children are deserving of the highest levels of care and safeguarding, regardless of their individual characteristics or circumstances, and we are committed to applying our policies to ensure effective levels of safeguarding and care are afforded to all our pupils.

We will seek to recruit the best applicant for the job based on the abilities, qualifications, experience as measured against the job description and person specification. The recruitment and selection of staff will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be requested for all successful candidates, including a Children’s Barred List check if the role meets the criteria for regulated activity.

Chigwell Primary Academy is part of the REAch2 Academy Trust school situated in the historic village of Chigwell in Essex and benefits greatly from its semi‑rural location. At Chigwell Primary Academy we believe that all members of the school community must treat each other with respect, develop an understanding of our responsibilities and develop resilience so that we can all be active learners and reach our full potential.

As a member of the REAch2 Trust, a national family of primary academies, Chigwell Primary Academy is committed to raising standards and achieving excellence for all pupils whatever their background or circumstance. The Trust provides a strong culture of collaboration and support, together with high expectations for staff and pupils alike. Chigwell Primary Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people / vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory written references.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.