Job Title: Head Chef - School Catering

Salary: £40,000 per annum

Hours: 40 hours per week

Contract: Full-time, 52 weeks per year

Location: Cranleigh

Shift Patterns: Monday to Friday - Typical shifts 6:00am - 2:00pm or 11:00am - 7:00pm. Weekend shifts on a rotational basis (1 in 3 weekends).

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in School Catering!

We’re one of the UK’s leading independent catering companies, proudly serving thousands of students and staff every day with fresh, high-quality meals. As part of our continued growth, we’re looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead and inspire a dedicated team in a school catering environment.

About the Role:

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for overseeing the full catering operation, including:

Menu Planning: Creating delicious, nutritious meals that students will love.

Team Leadership: Managing and motivating your kitchen team to deliver excellence.

Stock Control & Ordering: Ensuring supplies are maintained to a high standard while keeping costs in check.

Food Preparation & Service: Delivering exceptional quality breakfast, lunch, and dinner services.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate chef with both culinary and leadership experience. You’ll thrive in a fast-paced environment, have a strong eye for detail, and demonstrate excellent organisational skills.

The Ideal Candidate:

Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef in a similar catering environment.

NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery (or equivalent) - or equivalent experience.

Strong craft skills, with a passion for fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Experience in team management and stock control.
Ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining high standards.

What We Offer:

Competitive Salary: £40,000 per annum.

Work-Life Balance: 40 hours per week with a variety of shift patterns.

Career Development: Opportunities to progress within a growing company.

Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values collaboration and innovation.

Rotational Weekends: Only 1 in 3 weekends required.

Why Join Us?

You’ll be joining a company that values fresh food, sustainability, and the well-being of our staff and clients. We offer a dynamic, rewarding work environment where you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of students and staff.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you have a passion for cooking and the skills to lead a team to success, we want to hear from you! Apply today and be part of our mission to serve nutritious, delicious meals that students look forward to.
Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.