Executive Chef

Impact Food Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Training & qualifications

Staff discount

Monthly incentives

Competitive salary

Job summary

Impact Food Group invites applications for Executive Chef/ Chef Manager at our London schools. This role leads a high-standard kitchen, delivering fresh, seasonal meals to students on a daily basis, while managing a skilled team and maintaining exceptional service levels.

Based at St Paul’s Cathedral School, London, EC4M, the role features 7am-4:30pm shifts, 52 teaching weeks per year, and a salary up to £60,000 per annum. DBS checks and compliance form part of the recruitment process.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing a professional or high-standard kitchen.
• Ability to cook fresh, seasonal food at a consistently high standard.
• Strong people management and team leadership skills.
• Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, budgets, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
• Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals to a high standard
• Planning menus, managing stock, and controlling budgets
• Ensuring all food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards are met
• Building strong relationships with school clients, boarding staff, and stakeholders
• Overseeing the smooth running of service, from prep to finish
• Planning, preparing, and executing catering events, banquets, and special functions

Skills

Kitchen management

People management

Menu planning

Budgeting

Food hygiene & safety

Event catering support

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. We’re looking for people who are passionate about great service, fantastic food, and making a positive impact.

About The Role

Job Title: Executive Chef/ Chef Manager

School Location: St Pauls Cathedral School, London, EC4M

Working Days: Monday to Friday, may include weekends and some evenings

Shifts & Working hours: 7am-4.30pm (45 hours per week) as per business requirements

Working Weeks: 52 weeks per year (5.6 weeks holiday)

Pay Details: Up to £60,000 per Annum

What will I be doing?

As a Chef Manager, you’ll take full responsibility for running a high-spec kitchen, serving fresh, seasonal meals to students every day at our independant schools. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll manage your team, maintain exceptional standards, and ensure smooth, professional service. You’ll also be involved in catering events, parent functions, and special school occasions, delivering food to the highest presentation and quality standards.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating, and developing your catering team
• Preparing and serving fresh, seasonal meals to a high standard
• Planning menus, managing stock, and controlling budgets
• Ensuring all food hygiene, safety, and compliance standards are met
• Building strong relationships with school clients, boarding staff, and stakeholders
• Overseeing the smooth running of service, from prep to finish
• Planning, preparing, and executing catering events, banquets, and special functions

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

What are we looking for?

• Proven experience managing a professional or high-standard kitchen, ideally in independent schools or premium catering environments
• Ability to cook fresh, seasonal food at a consistently high standard
• Strong people management and team leadership skills
• Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, budgets, and compliance
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with pride in maintaining exceptional standards
• Experience or willingness to support catering events and client functions

If you thrive in a high-standard, professional environment and enjoy leading teams to deliver exceptional food, this is the role for you.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary
• Daytime hours, with some flexibility for events
• Free meals on shift
• Opportunities for ongoing training, development, and career progression
• Access to free culinary qualifications
• Staff discount scheme across 850+ retailers
• Monthly team incentives with the chance to win shopping vouchers

This is your opportunity to lead a high-spec kitchen, work on premium catering events, and develop your career in an exceptional environment.

Next steps

Please note: An interview, trade test, and kitchen visit 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 required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, which IFG will pay for.

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