Casual Chef

Lexington-Catering; Croydon; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

Flexible working

Holidays aligned to school calendar

Time to unwind

Job summary

Taylor Shaw is seeking a skilled chef to craft nutritious, tasty meals in a school catering setting. You’ll deliver high-quality dishes, maintain strict hygiene, and lead by example while supporting a collaborative kitchen team.

Working pattern is Monday to Friday with hours aligned to the school day. Join Elior’s caring culture focused on healthy meals for students and excellent food safety standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Chef in a fast-paced catering operation.
• A genuine passion for producing nutritious, great tasting food.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage your responsibilities confidently.
• Solid knowledge of food hygiene, safety and compliance standards.
• A positive, team focused approach, with the confidence to work independently and support others.

Responsibilities

• Create fresh, high-quality meals that support students’ wellbeing, focus and energy
• Inspire consistency and pride in every dish, maintaining excellent standard of quality, presentation and portioning
• Lead by example in food safety, hygiene and cleanliness, create a safe and welcoming environment
• Support and uplift the wider team, sharing knowledge and helping others succeed

Skills

Chef experience

Nutrition-focused cooking

Time management

Food hygiene

Team player

Job description

Posted Monday 3 August 2026 at 00:00 | Expires Monday 31 August 2026 at 23:59

Taylor Shaw – Great Food, Bright Futures

At Taylor Shaw, we believe healthy food fuels young minds, and we’re passionate about serving delicious, nutritious meals in schools and colleges across the UK. Every meal is fresh, sustainable, and packed with goodness – because we know young people deserve the best.

Elior is committed to safeguarding children and colleagues. Candidates that are shortlisted for this role, will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including Children's Barred List, and two suitable references.

How you’ll make an impact:

• Create fresh, high-quality meals that support students’ wellbeing, focus and energy
• Inspire consistency and pride in every dish, maintaining excellent standard of quality, presentation and portioning
• Lead by example in food safety, hygiene and cleanliness, create a safe and welcoming environment
• Support and uplift the wider team, sharing knowledge and helping others succeed

Working Pattern: Monday - Friday | Hours To Suit The Business Need

Job ID: 7259

The ingredients you’ll bring:

• Proven experience as a Chef in a fast-paced catering operation
• A genuine passion for producing nutritious, great tasting food
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage your responsibilities confidently
• Solid knowledge of food hygiene, safety and compliance standards
• A positive, team focused approach, with the confidence to work independently and support others

Brilliant Work Deserves Brilliant Perks!

At Elior, we believe that when you love where you work, it shows. That’s why we make sure our team feels appreciated, supported, and set up for success! Here’s what’s waiting for you:

• Free, tasty meals - Enjoy tasty, nutritious food on us while you work!
• Flexible working - including part time roles, because life doesn’t run on a 9-5 schedule.
• Plenty of Time to Unwind - Flexibility around family life with holidays that match the school calendar.
• Leave for life’s important moments - whether family, personal or unexpected.
• Give back time - paid volunteering days for the causes you care about.
• Room to grow - career development and learning opportunities for all stages of your career.
• Financial security - pension schemes and life assurance.
• Exclusive discounts - save on entertainment, leisure, and even travel!

Why You’ll Love Working Here

We’re a people-first business with over 10,000 colleagues across the UK, serving everything from stadiums to hospitals, schools to workplaces. Our mission? Toenrich lives everywhere, every day.

And here’s the best part - 87% of our team say they’re proud to work here!Why? Because we create a place where you’re listened to, trusted, supported, and valued.

We Celebrate You!

At Elior, diversity and inclusion aren’t just policies, they’re who we are. We know that different perspectives make us stronger, and we’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.

Need any support or adjustments during the application process? Just let us know - we’re happy to help!