Executive Chef

ETAB-Recruits; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ETAB-Recruits is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the catering operation at a prestigious independent education site in Central London. You will manage food offer, menu development and kitchen standards, while guiding a team through day‑to‑day operations in a busy, high‑volume environment.

The role requires boarding school or independent education catering experience, a strong leadership style, and the ability to deliver fresh, seasonal, nutritious menus across seven days a week on

Qualifications

• Experience as Executive Chef or senior Head Chef
• Boarding school or independent education catering experience
• Experience leading high-volume education catering
• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Excellent menu planning and food presentation skills
• A thorough understanding of allergens, food safety and compliance
• The ability to deliver a varied food offer and maintain consistently high standards

Responsibilities

• Lead an established kitchen team and take responsibility for the food offer, menu development, kitchen standards, team performance and the smooth day-to-day running of the operation.
• Deliver fresh, seasonal and nutritious food, bringing creativity and variety to menus across the school.
• Oversee boarding school catering provisions and ensure seven‑day operation and compliance.

Skills

Executive leadership

Boarding school catering

Menu planning

Food safety & allergens

High-volume catering

Team development

Job description

ETAB-Recruits are looking for an experienced Executive Chef to lead the catering operation at a prestigious independent education site in Central London.

This busy, high-quality operation provides around 500 lunches per day, alongside a full boarding catering provision covering breakfast, lunch and supper across a seven-day operation.

As Executive Chef, you will lead an established kitchen team and take responsibility for the food offer, menu development, kitchen standards, team performance and the smooth day-to-day running of the operation.

Food quality is at the heart of this role. You will deliver fresh, seasonal and nutritious food, bringing creativity and variety to menus across the school.

Previous boarding school or independent education catering experience is essential.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous Executive Chef or senior Head Chef experience
• Proven experience within boarding school or independent education catering
• Experience leading a high-volume education catering operation
• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Excellent menu planning and food presentation skills
• A thorough understanding of allergens, food safety and compliance
• The ability to deliver a varied food offer and maintain consistently high standards

Working arrangements

This is a 52-week contract. Due to the nature of the boarding operation, catering is provided seven days a week, including Christmas Day. Christmas Day working is shared across the team on a rotational basis.

• This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a substantial Central London operation and lead an established team.