Head Chef

Thomas Franks Ltd; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent catering company is seeking a motivated chef to work in a private school in Wokingham. The role involves providing meals and hospitality using fresh ingredients, following food hygiene and health standards. Candidates should have excellent customer service skills, be team-oriented, and passionate about food. This term-time only position offers various benefits, including free meals on duty and a cycle to work scheme.

Benefits

Wider wallet scheme

Free meals on duty

Volunteers leave

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Cycle to work scheme

Recommend a friend bonus

Individual training and development

Established apprenticeship programme

Team & company social events

Employee assistance programme

Workplace pension

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Ability to work well in a team providing meals.
• Experience in food preparation is preferred.
• Organised and innovative with a passion for food.

Responsibilities

• Provide breakfast, lunch, and hospitality.
• Produce food using fresh ingredients and company standards.
• Follow Food Hygiene and Health & Safety policies.

Skills

Excellent customer service skills

Team player

Interest in food

Attention to detail

Good understanding of verbal English

Good standard of written English

Job description

Role Overview

A leading independent private school in Wokingham, Berkshire for girls and boys aged 3-16. Catering for 850 students and teachers daily. We offer a core feeding of lunch and morning and afternoon snacks along with some hospitality. This is a term‑time only contract working 38 weeks a year and operates Monday to Friday. Additional benefit to this location is free on‑site parking.

Responsibilities

To work well in a team, providing breakfast, lunch & hospitality. To produce food for service using fresh ingredients, cooking from scratch and following the company's brand standards. Ensuring company food standards are adhered to and wastage controlled. Ensuring all Food Hygiene and Health & Safety policies and allergen control procedures are followed.

Skills & Qualities

Excellent customer service skills. Great team player. A genuine interest in food & excellent customer service. An all‑round team player. Innovation and passion for great food. An organised person with attention to detail. Knowledge / competencies: Ability to demonstrate reasonable / good understanding and use of verbal English. Ability to demonstrate reasonable / good standard of written English and reading skills. Similar experience of customer and / or food preparation environment is preferred.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and creative chef to advance their career in a dynamic environment. You'll have the chance to work with fresh ingredients, develop innovative menus, and take on a leadership role while contributing to a thriving kitchen.

Thomas Franks

Thomas Franks is a founder‑led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.

Application Requirements

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role. An enhanced DBS, Identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process. As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed. However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind‑over must be declared.

We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under‑represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.

Benefits

• Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
• Free meals on duty.
• Volunteers leave - up to one day per year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Recommend a friend bonus.
• Unrivalled individual training and development.
• Well established apprenticeship programme.
• Team & company social events.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Workplace pension.
• Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.
• Working 38 Weeks.