Chef

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Chef to join the Old Buckenham Hall Catering team in Brettenham Park, Suffolk IP7 7PH. You will prepare meals for students and staff, following approved recipes, and ensure high standards of presentation and portion control.

This permanent, full-time role offers term-time working with 36.25 hours per week across 40.4 weeks per year, including a shift pattern. The position emphasizes food safety, allergen labelling, and contributing to school events while

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or food service.
• Knowledge of dietary requirements and allergen labelling.

Responsibilities

• Prepare meals, in accordance with agreed recipes and methods
• Present food to a high standard
• Have knowledge of key nutrient groups and specific dietary needs
• Serve food to staff and students, adhering to portion controls
• Contribute ideas for school events
• Ensure the maintenance of a clean and orderly working environment
• Undertake basic record-keeping as required
• Assist in the monitoring and arrangement of orderly and secure storage of supplies
• Operation and storage of catering equipment in accordance with instructions
• Assist in allergen labelling.

Skills

Cooking

Food safety

Job description

• Old Buckenham Hall
• Address: Brettenham Park, Suffolk IP7 7PH
• Salary: £25,000 per annum
• Hours: 36.25 hours per week, 40.4 weeks per year in total (see below work pattern)*
• Contract: Permanent
• Reference: 5359

We are seeking a Chef to join our Old Buckenham Hall Catering team. You will have a passion for food and a belief in the importance of supporting the school’s aims and objectives through the provision of nutritious, appealing and varied meals for students, staff and visitors.

Key responsibilities/accountabilities

• Prepare meals, in accordance with agreed recipes and methods
• Present food to a high standard
• Have knowledge of key nutrient groups and specific dietary needs
• Serve food to staff and students, adhering to portion controls
• Contribute ideas for school events
• Ensure the maintenance of a clean and orderly working environment
• Undertake basic record-keeping as required
• Assist in the monitoring and arrangement of orderly and secure storage of supplies
• Operation and storage of catering equipment in accordance with instructions
• Assist in allergen labelling.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are key facets of our core ethos that ‘the Whole Person is the Whole point’. Find out more here: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Rugby School

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or age.

*Term time (33 weeks per year)

Working time:

Week 1: Monday - Friday 11.30am – 7.30pm

Week 2: Monday- Thursday 11.30am – 7.30pm and Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm

Out of term time: 7.4 weeks per year

Including:

• 15 cleaning and INSET days per annum (6 hours per day)
• 22 working days per annum supporting Summer Lettings (8 hours per day)

Closing date: 1pm, 27 September 2026

Applications will be considered upon receipt and we reserve the right to make an appointment before the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, social media checks (including the dark web) and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Charity Registration Number 528752