Regional Development Chef: Transform School Menus & Events

Compass Group UK; Chertsey; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car provided

Job summary

Compass Group UK, Chartwells Education Catering, seeks a Regional Development Chef to elevate school food across a wide region. You will lead kitchen teams, drive innovative concepts, and ensure standards from The Source recipes are applied consistently.

You will champion new food concepts, manage modular menus, and develop compelling hospitality materials while collaborating with operations and clients to maintain high standards and commercial success.

Qualifications

• Genuine passion for food and education catering.
• Strong knowledge of food trends and culinary development.
• Creative foodservice background.
• Experience with purchasing, sourcing, modular menus and recipe systems.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing food concepts.
• Experience working in fast-paced, forward-thinking environments.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Strong coaching and leadership ability.
• Ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong project management skills.
• Knowledge of varied food production methods.
• Passion-led approach to school visits, always showcasing the very best food.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery and presentation of food across schools, encouraging teams to showcase their offer and host tastings with clients.
• Engage clients in meaningful conversations around food quality, innovation, and school strategy.
• Create and implement new culinary ideas such as pop-ups, BBQ events, tasting events, and themed food activations.
• Develop innovative, School Food Standards-compliant regional dishes for inclusion on menus.
• Ensure modular menus are implemented correctly using approved recipes from The Source.
• Ensure every school has a relevant and accessible hospitality brochure.
• Train culinary teams across all craft levels, reviewing kitchen operations and developing capability at every level.
• Deliver bi-annual unit manager training to support new menu launches and updates.
• Support and coach teams through chef challenges and provide short-term relief support where required.
• Ensure “Tasting Kitchen” and “Recipe Clinics” are embedded across the estate.
• Support and guide schools in embedding the Beyond the Kitchen programme.
• Ensure activities are planned, diarised, and delivered consistently.
• Liaise with the Nutrition Team where required.
• Personally deliver selected Beyond the Kitchen activities throughout the year.
• Support mobilisation of new contracts.
• Oversee planning of large-scale hospitality events within schools.
• Review and update school strategies during each visit.
• Maintain a strong understanding of purchasing compliance, sourcing, and commercial performance.

Skills

Food trends knowledge

Culinary development

Foodservice background

Purchasing & sourcing

Menu systems

Food concepts development

Communication skills

Leadership

Project management

Food production methods

School visits passion

Job description

Compass Group UK, Chartwells Education Catering, seeks a Regional Development Chef to elevate school food across a wide region. You will lead kitchen teams, drive innovative concepts, and ensure standards from The Source recipes are applied consistently.

You will champion new food concepts, manage modular menus, and develop compelling hospitality materials while collaborating with operations and clients to maintain high standards and commercial success.