About this role
Head Chef
Salary: £31,844.80 FTE. Actual Salary £29,456.44
Location: St Bede Academy, with some Trust-wide responsibilities
Contract: 37 Hours a week, 52 weeks a year. 20 days annual leave
Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme
What You’ll Be Doing
You’ll lead the delivery of a high-quality, nutritious catering service at St Bede Academy, ensuring pupils and staff receive meals that are healthy, appealing, and well-prepared.
You’ll also play a key role across the Trust in maintaining safe and compliant allergen processes, working closely with schools and the nursery to ensure consistency and high standards.
Your day-to-day will include:
Planning, preparing, and cooking meals for breakfast, lunch, and snack serviceCreating nutritious, balanced menus using fresh, seasonal ingredientsMaintaining all menus and recipes within the Allmanhall catering systemWorking with Headteachers to design menus that reflect each school communitySupporting the Baby Bede Manager to deliver a nutritious nursery menuLeading and supporting Head Cooks and catering teams across the TrustEnsuring allergen processes are safe, consistent, and compliant across all sitesMaintaining high standards of food hygiene, safety, and kitchen cleanlinessAssisting Head Cooks with stock control and efficient use of resourcesWorking to increase school meal uptake through menu design and engagementGathering feedback from pupils and staff to improve the catering offerWhat We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a passionate and experienced chef who takes pride in delivering high-quality food and leading a team within a school environment.
You’ll bring:
Experience preparing and cooking meals in a high-volume catering settingStrong understanding of food hygiene, safety, and allergen managementExperience of menu planning and delivering nutritious, balanced mealsThe ability to lead, support, and develop catering teamsGood organisational and communication skillsA collaborative approach when working with school leaders and staffA commitment to promoting healthy eating and increasing meal uptakeThe ability to maintain accurate records and follow compliance processesDesirable:
Experience working in a school, nursery, or Multi-Academy TrustExperience using the Allmanhall catering system (or similar)Level 3 Food Hygiene qualificationExperience managing allergen processes across multiple sitesUnderstanding of School Food Standards and early years nutritionWhy Join Us
A supportive and collaborative working environmentOpportunities for professional development and certificationThe chance to shape catering across a growing Multi-Academy TrustFlexible working and autonomy to make a real impactOur Academy Trust is committed to improving the life chances of all children through education and personal development. Each child is unique. We encourage and support every child through their exciting journey within our Trust, equipping them with the skills they need for the future.
Our approach is based on sharing excellence within our Trust, recruiting, training, and retaining the highest calibre of staff who share our vision of enlightening, enriching, empowering and evolving a generation through education.
‘Enlightening, Enriching, Empowering and Evolving generations through education’
We offer a fantastic, supportive place to work along with flexible working opportunities, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, as well as a range of employee wellbeing and support services.
The Trust is committed to safer recruitment practices and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post is subject to an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment.