Head Chef
| Posting date: | 29 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 29 May 2026 |
| Location: | GU28 0NJ |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Graffham CE Infant School |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Overview
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.
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
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.
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