Head Chef

Select Recruitment Specialists Ltd; Babergh; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on duty

Free on-site parking

Employee discounts

Cycle to Work scheme

Comprehensive training and development

Team and company events

Employee Assistance Programme

Workplace pension

Job summary

Select Recruitment Specialists Ltd is assisting an independent school in Ipswich to recruit a Head Chef who will lead the kitchen and create fresh, seasonal menus.

You will oversee breakfast, lunch, supper and hospitality services for around 450 pupils and staff year-round, with a 5-out-of-7 working pattern and free on-site parking.

This full-time role offers a competitive salary and opportunities to develop the team while delivering high-quality food in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or Sous Chef aiming for next step.
• Passion for fresh food and exceptional customer service.
• Strong leadership to motivate and develop a team.
• Creativity with seasonal menus and high-volume operations.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team across breakfast, lunch, supper and hospitality services.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Ensure food hygiene, allergen management and health & safety standards.
• Deliver excellent customer service to pupils, staff and visitors.
• Support the development and training of the kitchen team.

Skills

Leadership

Fresh food

Menu development

High-volume catering

Job description

Head Chef

Location: Ipswich, Suffolk

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Salary: £40,000 per annum

Hours: 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Join The Team

We are looking for a talented and passionate Head Chef to join and lead the kitchen for an independent school location in Ipswich.

The school caters for around 450 pupils and staff each day, from Nursery through to Sixth Form. The catering operation provides breakfast, lunch, supper, and both internal and external hospitality services. Operating 52 weeks a year, seven days a week, the role follows a 5 days out of 7 working pattern. Free on-site parking is available.

Whether you're an experienced Head Chef or an ambitious Sous Chef ready to step up, this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your creativity and leadership in a fresh food environment.

About the Role

You'll be responsible for leading the kitchen team, working under the direction of the Executive Head Chef and delivering exceptional food across a varied service, and creating exciting seasonal menus using fresh, high-quality ingredients.

This is an excellent opportunity for a chef who enjoys cooking from scratch, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is passionate about developing both people and food.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team across breakfast, lunch, supper and hospitality services.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Ensure food is prepared to company brand standards and specifications, maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene, allergen management and health & safety.
• Deliver excellent customer service to pupils, staff and visitors.
• Support the development and training of the kitchen team.

About You

• Experience as a Head Chef or an experienced Sous Chef ready for the next step.
• A genuine passion for fresh food and exceptional customer service.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
• Creativity and enthusiasm for producing innovative seasonal menus.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience within a fresh food, high-volume catering environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £40,000
• Free meals whilst on duty
• Free on-site parking
• Employee discounts at major retailers, restaurants and gyms
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities
• Team and company social events
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Workplace pension

If you're a passionate chef looking for your next challenge and want to be part of a team committed to delivering outstanding fresh food, we'd love to hear from you.