Regional Development Chef

Holroyd Howe; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in the UK is seeking a Regional Development Chef. This mobile role involves enhancing food standards across multiple school sites in Surrey, Hampshire, and Sussex. The ideal candidate will have experience as a Head Chef and a passion for seasonal cooking. Responsibilities include training kitchen teams and ensuring quality across operations. Full UK driving license is required. Join a dynamic team that prioritizes fresh food and culinary innovation.

Benefits

28 days holiday (including bank holidays)

3 volunteering days

Free meals while at work

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Chef Manager within school or contract catering.
• Strong culinary skills with a passion for fresh, seasonal, and nutritious food.
• Experience delivering events such as tasting tables, food presentations, and chef demonstrations.

Responsibilities

• Supporting kitchen teams across multiple sites.
• Delivering chef training, menu development, and quality assurance.
• Stepping into operational roles when required.

Skills

Head Chef or Chef Manager experience in school catering

Culinary skills

Confident communicator

Driver with a full UK driving licence

Job description

Company Description

Job Title: Regional Development Chef
Location: Surrey, Hampshire & Sussex (mobile role)
Salary: £40,000 per annum (term-time only!)
Working weeks: 40 working weeks (although full-time considered)
Travel: Mileage/fuel reimbursement

Why Join us?

• 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• 3 volunteering days to give back to causes you care about
• 3 days grandparent leave for those special family moments
• 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
• Bespoke training & development opportunities
• Pension & life insurance
• Discounts on high street brands, cinema & holidays via the Perkbox App
• Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
• Free meals while at work
• Career development & HIT Apprenticeships for all experience levels

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate, skilled Area Development Chef to play a key role in shaping and elevating food standards across multiple school sites within Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident and creative Head Chef or Chef Manager with extensive school catering and event experience, looking to step into a regional development role.

You’ll work independently across your patch, providing hands‑on culinary support, delivering chef development, enhancing food quality, and ensuring consistency across all operations. You’ll also act as an ambassador for fresh, seasonal cooking and student engagement.

Experience in regional or multisite roles is beneficial but not essential - what matters is your culinary skill, creativity, leadership, and ability to inspire others.

This role is ideal for a talented Head Chef looking for the next step and the chance to make a wider impact across several schools.

Job Description

• Supporting kitchen teams across multiple sites
• Delivering chef training, menu development and quality assurance
• Stepping into operational roles when required
• Hosting tasting tables, pupil food engagement sessions, and chef demos
• Helping drive innovation and high standards across the region

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Chef Manager within school or contract catering
• Strong culinary skills with a passion for fresh, seasonal and nutritious food
• Experience delivering events such as tasting tables, food presentations and chef demonstrations
• Confident communicator with the ability to train, support and inspire kitchen teams across multiple sites
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel throughout Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex

Additional Information

We pride ourselves on:

People first
We’re a company of individuals, united in doing our best for our clients.

Great food, always
Using only the best ingredients, our food is fresh, authentic and tailored to each school, age group, and specific needs and preferences.

Food education
We educate pupils through food, encouraging them to understand and develop their own personal tastes and make informed food choices.

Respect in everything we do
Our respectful codes of conduct inform how we behave towards our clients and customers, suppliers and business partners, and each other.

Fresh thinking
New ideas for food, service and ways of working help us maintain our position as creative leaders in school catering.

In order to be considered for this role you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK.

Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity. It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for such roles. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check will be required for all successful applicants. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information. This search helps identify any issues that may affect suitability to work with children.

This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.