Regional Development Chef

Holroyd Howe; Guildford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider is seeking an Area Development Chef to enhance food standards across multiple school sites in Surrey, Hampshire, and Sussex. This role demands culinary skill, creativity, and leadership, ideal for a Head Chef looking to expand their impact. Responsibilities include supporting kitchen teams and delivering chef training. A full UK driving licence is required for travel between sites.

Benefits

28 days holiday

3 volunteering days

Pension & life insurance

Discounts on high street brands

Free meals while at work

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Chef Manager within school or contract catering.
• Experience delivering events such as tasting tables and chef demonstrations.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Supporting kitchen teams across multiple sites.
• Delivering chef training and menu development.
• Driving innovation and high standards across the region.

Skills

Strong culinary skills

Confident communicator

Passion for fresh, seasonal food

Job description

Benefits

• 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

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.

Responsibilities

• 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, 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.

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