School Chef Darlington, Darlington

Berry Recruitment Group; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Competitive hourly pay

No evening or weekend shifts

Support from dedicated recruitment adl

Job summary

Berry Recruitment Darlington is currently recruiting for an experienced School Chef to work in a local school in Darlington. This temporary role runs from Friday 13th November 2026, expected to continue until mid to late December 2026, providing nutritious meals for pupils and staff.

The successful candidate will prepare, cook and serve fresh meals, follow planned menus, cater for dietary requirements, and ensure high standards of hygiene and safety in a busy school kitchen.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Chef or Cook, ideally in a school.
• Good understanding of food hygiene and safety procedures.
• Knowledge of allergens and dietary requirements.
• Ability to work independently in a busy kitchen.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Reliable, flexible and professional approach.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and serve fresh, nutritious meals for pupils and staff.
• Follow planned menus and cater for dietary requirements.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene and health and safety.
• Monitor food temperatures and complete kitchen records.
• Manage portion control and minimise food waste.
• Keep a clean, safe and organised kitchen.
• Support with stock rotation, deliveries and storage.
• Ensure meals are prepared and served on time.

Skills

Food hygiene

Time management

Independence

Reliability

Organisational skills

Education

Enhanced DBS certificate

Job description

Location: Darlington, County Durham
Job Type: Temporary
Start Date: Friday 13th November 2026
Contract Duration: Until mid/end of December 2026
Working Days: Monday to Friday
Working Hours: 7:15am – 1:15pm (30 hours per week)
Pay Rate: £16.89 per hour, paid weekly

Job Description

Berry Recruitment Darlington are currently recruiting for an experienced and reliable School Chef to work within a school in the Darlington area.

This is a temporary position starting on Friday 13th November, expected to continue until mid to late December.

The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing and cooking nutritious, high-quality meals for pupils and staff, ensuring all food is prepared safely and to a high standard.

Key Responsibilities

Preparing, cooking and serving fresh, nutritious meals for pupils and staff.

Following planned menus and catering for dietary requirements, allergies and food intolerance's.

Ensuring food hygiene, health and safety standards are maintained at all times.

Monitoring food temperatures and completing relevant kitchen records.

Managing portion control and minimising food waste.

Maintaining a clean, safe and organised kitchen environment.

Supporting with stock rotation, deliveries and food storage.

Working efficiently to ensure meals are prepared and served on time.

Requirements

Previous experience working as a Chef or Cook, ideally within a school or similar catering environment.

A good understanding of food hygiene and food safety procedures.

Knowledge of allergens and special dietary requirements.

Ability to work independently and manage a busy kitchen.

Excellent organisational and time-management skills.

A reliable, flexible and professional approach.

An Enhanced DBS certificate is required, ideally registered with the Update Service.

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly pay of £16.89.
• Weekly pay.
• Monday to Friday working hours.
• No evening or weekend shifts.
• Support from a dedicated recruitment consultant.

Berry Recruitment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. All applicants will be considered on the basis of their skills, experience, qualifications and ability to perform the role, and no applicant will be treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.