Executive Chef - East London

OLIVE DINING LTD; Ilford; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family-Friendly Hours

Weekends Off

Supportive Team Culture

Free Meals on Duty

Wellbeing First

Employee Assistance Programme

Car Allowance

Mileage

Job summary

Olive Dining Ltd is seeking an Executive Chef to lead kitchen operations across our schools, ensuring safe, nutritious and tasty meals while upholding brand standards.

You will partner with the Operations Team, support internal audits, waste control, and training, and supervise a large culinary team in a busy school environment.

The role offers Family-Friendly Hours, a Car Allowance and Mileage, Free Meals on Duty, and Monday to Friday shifts, with a focus on work‑life balance.

Qualifications

• Experience in the kitchen is a must, whether it's in schools or B&I.
• A Food Safety certificate or equivalent is expected.
• Must have access to own transport.
• Strong communication and teamwork are essential.
• Able to stay calm under pressure in a busy environment.

Responsibilities

• Support executive chef duties across primary and secondary schools.
• Assist with internal audits, GP, wastages, food safety and training.
• Collaborate with Operations Team and report into Head of Food.
• Work within a large team in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Skills

Executive Chef

Team leadership

Food safety awareness

Communication skills

Flexibility

Own transport

Education

Food safety certificate or equivalent

Job description

Responsibilities

• Executive Chef to support both our primary and secondary schools
• Executive Chef to support sites with internal audits, GP, Wastages, Food Safety and Training and Development.
• Executive Chef to work closely with the Operations Team, and report into the Head of Food.
• Executive Chef to work within a large team.

  Experience in the kitchen is a must. whether it's in schools or B&I.

• A food safety certificate or equivalent, we want to keep everything safe, healthy, and tasty.
• To be a good team player who can keep calm under pressure and loves the hustle of a busy work environment
• Good understanding of food hygiene and safety (Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate is a bonus).
• Flexibility: You're great at thinking on your feet and adapting when the menu or schedule needs a quick change (because school days are never boring!).
• Strong communication skills and a positive attitude. Kids, staff, and school life can be unpredictable, so a big smile and a laugh will go a long way!
• Must have access to own transport.

This Role Is Perfect If You

• Want to make a real impact in a school community
• Enjoy variety and hands-on working
• Like the idea of work-life balance

At Olive Dining, we believe great food brings people together and there's no better place to do that than in schools, where young minds are growing every day.

We're a dedicated school catering company serving fresh, nutritious meals to students across London, Kent, Surrey, and Essex. Now, we're on the lookout for a Executive Chef to help us create delicious dishes and keep our kitchens running smoothly, with plenty of smiles along the way in the kitchen.

Benefits

• Family-Friendly Hours
• Weekends Off (Yes, really)
• Supportive Team Culture
• You're never just a number here.
• Free Meals on Duty
• Because Chefs should never work hungry!
• Wellbeing First
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme including free CBT, health, and financial support.

The Package:

• 45,000 Salary
• Car Allowance
• Mileage
• Free Meals
• Monday to Friday