Chef

Impact Food Group; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Training & career progression

Free qualifications

Staff discount across 850+ retailers

Job summary

Impact Food Group is seeking an onsite Chef at Danes Hill School in Leatherhead to prepare fresh, seasonal meals for students and staff, with a focus on quality, presentation and portion control in a busy school kitchen.

The role runs Monday to Friday, 7am-3pm (37.5 hours), term-time with 34.4 weeks per year. Benefits include free meals on shift, ongoing training and opportunities to gain qualifications, and a staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers.

Qualifications

• Experience as a chef, ideally within a school or contract catering environment (but not essential).
• Passion for cooking with fresh ingredients.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Good understanding of food hygiene and safety standards.
• Reliability and pride in maintaining high standards.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with the preparation of main meals and snacks.
• Cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients for high-volume service (200+ covers).
• Supporting with occasional counter service and till work.
• Maintaining a clean, safe, and organised kitchen and dining environment at all times.

Skills

Experience as a chef

Fresh ingredients

High-volume kitchen

Teamwork

Food hygiene

Reliable

Positive attitude

Job description

Impact Food Group (IFG) is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.

Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.

About the role

Job Title: Chef

School Location: Danes Hill School , Leatherhead, KT22 0JG

Working Days: Monday to Friday

Shifts & Working hours: 7am-3pm (37.5hours per week)

Working Weeks: 34.4weeks per year (term time only)

Pay Details: £20,880 per Annum

What You’ll Be Doing:

As an onsite Chef, you’ll assist in preparing fresh, seasonal meals for our independent schools. You’ll focus on quality, presentation, and portioning to meet the expectations of students and staff.

This role is assisting with the preparation of food for the site and will involve working at volume, preparing salad counters, assisting the head chef and supporting where required.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with the preparation of main meals and snacks
• Cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients for high-volume service (200+ covers)
• Supporting with occasional counter service and till work
• Maintaining a clean, safe, and organised kitchen and dining environment at all times

What are we looking for?

We’re not going to overload you with buzzwords - we’re simply looking for great chefs who care about food.

• Experience as a chef, ideally within a school or contract catering environment (but not essential)
• A passion for cooking with fresh ingredients and delivering quality food
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen
• Strong teamwork and communication skills
• A positive, can-do attitude and willingness to learn
• Good understanding of food hygiene and safety standards
• Reliability and pride in maintaining high standards

We welcome people from all backgrounds, and we’re proud to have chefs with restaurant-quality experience working in our schools. If you’re passionate about food and want to make a difference, we want to hear from you.

We’re not in the business of making school food, we’re here to make great food. That’s why our customers love us.

What’s in it for you?

This role offers a fantastic work-life balance:

• No evenings or weekends
• School holidays off
• No late nights or split shifts

Plus, you’ll benefit from:

• Free meals on shift
• Ongoing training, development, and career progression opportunities
• Access to free qualifications
• A staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers

You’ll also have the chance to build meaningful relationships with students, helping them explore new cuisines and develop a positive relationship with food that lasts a lifetime.

Interested?

If you think you’ve got what it takes, we’d love to hear from you!

Please note: A trade test will be required as part of the recruitment process.

IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are requiredtoundergo an enhanced DBS check, which IFG supply the cost for.

We area committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail withinyourapplication. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.