Cook / Chef

Simply Education Ltd; Coalville; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Simply Education Ltd. is recruiting a Chef/Cook for a brand-new specialist SEN school opening in late 2026. You will lead day-to-day kitchen operations, design menus, and ensure safe, nutritious meals for pupils and staff.

You’ll work closely with the School Business Manager to build catering provision from the ground up, handling dietary needs, allergies, and food safety with a proactive, hands-on approach.

Qualifications

• Must hold Level 2 Food Safety in Catering.
• NVQ Level 2 in Cookery or equivalent.
• Experience in a busy kitchen.
• Experience planning balanced and varied menus.
• Knowledge of food allergies and dietary requirements.
• Knowledge of food hygiene, COSHH and Natasha's Law.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Positive, flexible and hands-on approach; experience preparing 80+ meals is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve fresh, nutritious meals and snacks.
• Create varied seasonal menus, accommodating dietary needs and allergies.
• Cater sensitively for neurodivergent pupils, including ARFID considerations.
• Manage stock levels, deliveries, ordering and portion control.
• Support and lead the wider catering team.
• Maintain high food hygiene standards and cleanliness.
• Complete temperature checks and food safety records.
• Minimise waste and operate within budget.
• Ensure all food preparation follows food safety legislation.

Skills

Food Safety Level 2

NVQ Level 2 Cookery

Busy Kitchen Experience

Menu Planning

Allergy Knowledge

Food Hygiene COSHH Natasha's Law

Under Pressure

Hands-on Attitude

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Cookery

Tools

Food Safety Records

Job description

Chef / Cook - Specialist SEN School

Brand-New Specialist School | Full-Time | Permanent

Are you an experienced Chef or Cook looking for a rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference?

We are recruiting for a brand-new specialist school opening in late 2026, supporting children and young people aged 5-19 with Autism (ASD), SEMH needs and communication & interaction needs.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join the school from the very beginning, take ownership of the kitchen and help create a positive dining experience for pupils and staff.

The Role

Working closely with the School Business Manager, you'll take the lead on the day-to-day running of the kitchen and catering provision.

• Preparing and serving fresh, nutritious meals and snacks
• Creating varied seasonal menus, including meals for pupils with specific dietary requirements and allergies
• Catering sensitively for neurodivergent pupils, including those with ARFID or additional needs around food
• Managing stock levels, deliveries, ordering and portion control
• Supporting and leading the wider catering team
• Maintaining excellent standards of food hygiene and cleanliness
• Completing temperature checks, food safety records and other required documentation
• Minimising food waste and working effectively within budget
• Ensuring all food is prepared in line with food safety and health & safety legislation

What We're Looking For

Ideally, you will have:

• Level 2 Food Safety in Catering
• NVQ Level 2 in Cookery or equivalent catering qualification
• Experience working within a busy kitchen or catering environment
• Experience planning balanced and varied menus
• A good understanding of food allergies and dietary requirements
• Knowledge of food hygiene, COSHH and Natasha's Law
• The ability to work calmly under pressure and meet deadlines
• A positive, flexible and hands-on approachExperience preparing 80+ meals within a commercial kitchen and a Level 3 Food Safety qualification would be an advantage but are not essential.

Why Apply?

This isn't just another kitchen role. You'll be joining a new specialist school from the beginning, with the opportunity to shape its catering provision and become an important part of a team supporting children and young people with additional needs.

If you're an experienced Chef or Cook looking for a stable, rewarding role within specialist education, we'd love to hear from you.