School Chef

Acorn Care and Education; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Uxbridge is seeking a creative School Chef to prepare nutritious meals that inspire pupils and staff. In this role, you'll design innovative menus, lead a small kitchen team, and ensure high standards of taste and presentation. Ideal candidates have strong catering experience, preferably in a school environment, and a passion for creating delicious meals. The position offers a permanent contract with a four-day working week, allowing for an improved work/life balance.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Health and wellbeing benefits

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Qualifications

• Strong catering experience in a school or similar setting.
• Knowledge of food safety, allergen management, and kitchen operations.
• Experience in menu planning, stock control, and supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and serve high-quality, nutritious meals.
• Develop exciting menus balancing nutrition and budget.
• Lead and manage kitchen staff in a collaborative environment.
• Ensure food safety and hygiene compliance.
• Manage stock and minimise waste.

Skills

Strong catering experience

Knowledge of food safety

Experience in menu planning

Passion for creating tasty meals

Education

Catering qualification (NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent)

Job description

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four? At Outcomes First Group we believe in better work/life balance – and we’re putting wellbeing first. That’s why we’re proud to be part of a 4‑Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours) while still receiving your full‑time pay. Many of our schools have already introduced 4DWW or are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it’s already in place or just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to join #teamOFG.

Job Title: School Chef

Location: Hillingdon Manor School, Uxbridge UB8 3HD

Salary: £27,300.00 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 38.5 hours per week | Monday to Friday

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start Date: January 2026

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

About the Role

Hillingdon Manor School is looking for a talented, creative School Chef to lead the preparation of delicious, nutritious meals that energise and inspire our pupils and staff. This is more than just cooking – it’s about shaping healthy habits, introducing exciting flavours, and contributing to a vibrant school community.

As School Chef you will design innovative menus, manage a small kitchen team, and ensure every meal meets the highest standards of taste, presentation, and nutrition. You will make a real difference to the wellbeing, happiness and daily life of our school community.

What You’ll Do

• Plan, prepare, and serve high‑quality, nutritious meals that pupils and staff enjoy
• Develop exciting and varied menus that balance nutrition, creativity, and budget
• Lead, inspire and manage kitchen staff, fostering a team‑focused and innovative environment
• Maintain food safety, hygiene, and allergen compliance at all times
• Manage stock efficiently, minimise waste and maximise resources
• Contribute to a school culture where your culinary skills are valued and celebrated

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a confident, imaginative, and driven Chef who thrives in a busy environment and is passionate about creating meals that delight and nourish.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Strong catering experience, ideally in a school, residential or similar setting
• Knowledge of food safety, allergen management and kitchen operations
• Experience in menu planning, stock control, and supervising staff
• Passion for creating tasty, high‑quality meals that inspire pupils and staff

Desirable

• Previous management experience within a catering team
• Catering qualification (NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent)

Benefits

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Market‑leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enabling you to choose the package that’s right for you.
• A wide range of health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.