Head Chef

PROSPECT HOUSE SCHOOL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 29,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Pension contributions

Optional health care benefits

Job summary

Prospect House School in London is seeking a Part-time Head Chef to plan and prepare nutritious meals for pupils and staff. You will design seasonal menus, manage orders and stock, and maintain hygiene standards across both sites.

You will lead and coordinate kitchen teams, adapt menus for allergies and dietary needs, and work with school leadership to support events and wellbeing through food.

Qualifications

• Strong skills in planning menus for educational settings and large groups.
• Solid knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP, hygiene, and allergen control.
• Experience supervising kitchen staff and coordinating workflows.
• Ability to adapt menus for dietary requirements and schedule changes.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and cook high-quality meals for pupils and staff within budget.
• Design seasonal menus and oversee food ordering and stock control.
• Ensure kitchen cleanliness and compliance with food safety standards.
• Lead the Lower School kitchen team and coordinate daily tasks during service.
• Collaborate with school leadership on events and wellbeing through food.

Skills

Menu planning

Food safety & HACCP

Team supervision

Large-scale cooking

Allergen management

Communication

Job description

Company Description

Prospect House School is a leading co-educational independent prep school in south-west London, overlooking Putney Heath. The school offers a close-knit, village-style atmosphere where staff, children, and families work together to support each child’s development and wellbeing. Food is key in ensuring pupils are well fuelled, well nourished and ready to learn.

Role Description

The Head Chef is responsible for planning, preparing, and cooking high-quality, nutritious meals for pupils and staff in line with school budgets and dietary requirements. This part-time, on-site role in London includes designing seasonal menus along reporting to and working with the Head Chef of the Upper School and Headteachers across both sites, managing food ordering and stock control, ensuring kitchen cleanliness, and maintaining all food safety and hygiene standards. The Head Chef for the Lower School will lead and coordinate the kitchen team, organise daily tasks, and ensure efficient service during meal times. The role also involves working collaboratively with school leadership to support events, adapt menus for allergies or special diets, and promote a positive, child-centered dining experience.

Qualifications

• Strong skills in menu planning, food preparation, and cooking for large groups (around 150 currently at the Lower School), preferably in an education or similar catering environment.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP procedures, and best practices in hygiene, nutrition, and allergen management.
• Experience supervising kitchen staff, organising workflows, and maintaining efficient, safe kitchen operations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with school staff, communicate effectively, and respond flexibly to changing needs and schedules.
• Relevant professional catering qualifications (e.g., NVQ or equivalent), Food Hygiene certification, and prior experience as a Head Chef or senior chef.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including willingness to undergo background checks in line with school policies.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who gives 100%, manages small teams well, loves their job, is knowledgable and passionate about food and nutrition; someone who shows up and goes above and beyond on a daily basis.

What you can expect

School holidays, good work-life balance, the chance to work with and for an incredible team, world class training opportunities through Dukes Education, the chance to develop the role, and a place to work where you feel valued through wellbeing days, staff socials and staff superhero awards, with competitive pay and pension contributions, plus optional health care benefits.