School Cook

Allsaintsupton; Widnes; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Chesnut Lodge School in Widnes is seeking a passionate School Cook / Catering Manager to lead our kitchen team, oversee daily meal preparation, ensure high standards of food safety, and provide a welcoming dining experience for pupils.

Contract is permanent, term-time only with additional training days. 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Experience in school catering and Level 2 Food Hygiene are preferred; DBS check will be required.

Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) required or supported.
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certification or willingness to complete.
• Experience in school or childcare catering is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Meal Preparation: Prepare and cook high-quality meals from fresh ingredients.
• Menu Planning: Follow weekly menus and create appealing specials.
• Team Leadership: Supervise and develop the kitchen team.
• Food Safety & Compliance: Maintain hygiene standards and SFBB documentation.
• Stock & Inventory Management: Manage orders, stock levels and wastage.
• Pupil Engagement: Foster a welcoming dining environment for pupils.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety knowledge

Organizational skills

Culinary skills

Education

GCSEs (or equivalent)

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certification

Job description

Location: Green Lane, Widnes, WA8 7HF

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Part Time/Term Time

Hours: 30 hours per week. Mon - Fri 8:30-14:30.

Closing Date: 21/09/2026 at 12:00

Reference: Pri/26/344164

Job Vacancy: School Cook

Location: Chesnut Lodge School

Contract Terms: Permanent, Term-time only (plus additional training/cleaning days)

Hours: 30 hours per week

About Us

At Chesnut Lodge School, we are dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment where our pupils can thrive academically, physically, and emotionally. We firmly believe that healthy, delicious, and nutritious meals are a cornerstone of a successful educational experience.

We work in partnership with Food For Thought Merseyside Ltd., a not-for-profit school meals provider committed to fostering a Good Food Culture. Together, we deliver fresh, high-quality meals cooked from scratch using raw, fresh ingredients following School Food Standards.

The Role

We are seeking a passionate, dedicated, and skilled School Cook / Catering Manager to take overall responsibility for our school’s catering operations. In this role, you will lead our kitchen team, oversee daily meal preparation, ensure high standards of food safety, and deliver a welcoming dining experience for our pupils.

Key Responsibilities

• Meal Preparation: Prepare and cook high-quality, delicious meals using fresh ingredients in accordance with Food For Thought menus and recipes.


• Menu Planning: Follow weekly menus, develop appealing "Chef’s Specials," and cater to diverse dietary, cultural, and religious requirements.


• Team Leadership: Supervise, train, and motivate the kitchen team, supporting their performance and professional development.


• Food Safety & Compliance: Ensure all legal hygiene and safety standards are maintained, keeping the Safer Food Better Business (SFBB) documentation fully up to date.


• Stock & Inventory Management: Manage food ordering through approved suppliers, monitor stock levels, and minimize wastage to maintain cost efficiency.


• Pupil Engagement: Promote healthy eating habits and create a warm, friendly dining environment that encourages pupils to enjoy mealtimes.

Requirements

• Qualifications: GCSEs (or equivalent) and a valid Level 2 Food Hygiene Certification (or willingness to complete). Professional culinary qualifications are desirable.


• Experience: Proven experience as a cook or chef (preferably within a school or childcare setting), with experience managing food inventory and preparing meals for large groups.


• Skills: Strong knowledge of food safety regulations, excellent organizational and leadership skills, and a passion for fresh-ingredient cooking.

Chesnut Lodge School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Closing date for applications: 21/09/26 at 12pm

Halton Borough Council is an equal opportunities employer.