Head Chef - Belfast Royal Academy

Caterlink; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Term-time schedule

No weekend work

Employee discount platform

Pension scheme

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Head Chef at Belfast Royal Academy reports directly to the Executive Chef, Carl. This term-time role (180 days) offers a salary of £16.00 per hour with a 7:30–15:00, Monday–Friday schedule in Belfast.

You will lead the kitchen, ensuring efficient catering, high food quality, and exceptional customer service while maintaining food safety and cost controls.

Caterlink emphasizes safeguarding, staff development, and a balanced work-life approach with no weekend work and term-time flexibility.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen team in a school or large facility.
• Strong knowledge of food safety compliance and HACCP principles.
• Ability to plan, prepare, cook and present meals to high standards.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, cook and present meals to Caterlink and client standards.
• Oversee kitchen operations, including food safety compliance, stock and budget management.
• Lead training, recruitment and development of the kitchen team.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Menu planning

Team management

Job description

Job Description

We are looking for a talented and passionate Head Chef to join our team at Belfast Royal Academy, reporting directly to Carl, Executive Chef. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is committed to ensuring future generations are provided with nutritious, well-balanced and delicious meals in a school environment.

• Position: Head Chef

• Location: Belfast Royal Academy, 5-17 Cliftonville Rd, Belfast

• Contract Type: Term Time, working 180 days

• Salary: £16.00 per hour

• Mon - Fri 7:30 - 15:00

As Head Chef, you will be an organised, hardworking and approachable leader. You will be passionate about delivering an efficient, high-quality catering service to our students while maintaining exceptional customer service and the highest standards of food safety.

You will plan, prepare, cook and present food to the standards required by both Caterlink and our client, taking pride in enhancing our reputation for excellent food and service. You will have overall responsibility for the operation of the kitchen, including food safety compliance, team training and development, recruitment, stock and budget management, and achieving financial targets, while supporting Carl, Executive Chef, in the successful delivery of the catering operation.

At Caterlink, you'll benefit from an excellent work-life balance, with a term-time-only schedule and no weekend working, making this an ideal opportunity for those seeking flexibility alongside a rewarding career.

Caterlink is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be obtained for this role.

Caterlink strives to provide a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all our teams, where every individual is treated with respect and integrity, has the opportunity to grow, and is treated fairly at all times.

Additional Information

There are many advantages to working for us including:

• With Caterlink you have the opportunity to a blended learning programme that can include formal qualifications including Apprenticeships, classroom training, eLearning and on the job training to support and encourage your development and enable you to be the best you can be. Everyone who joins us is provided with an induction where they learn more about us and enable them to be the best they can be. We invest in development opportunities and are always looking to recruit, train and retain the best people for our own future talent and your own future development.
• Working for Caterlink ensure you are able to enjoy a great work/life balance – this is the beauty of working term-time only and no weekends!
• We offer you access to our Employee Discount Platform where you can make great savings at supermarkets, cinema, restaurants as well as holiday discounts, family days out and many more!
• Our Employee Assistance Program and Virtual GP benefits are there for you and your family to use free of charge at any time
• You may be eligible to join our Pension scheme