School Head Chef Required in North West London (Over 18, Enhanced DBS)

Chartwells Independent; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading foodservice provider is seeking a Head Chef in Westminster to manage a busy school kitchen. You'll lead a team, create high-quality meals, and inspire students with nutritious offerings. Ideal candidates have head chef experience, excellent management skills, and a passion for food. This role offers a competitive salary and beneficial working hours that promote work-life balance.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Career progression

Employee benefits

Lifestyle perks

Health and wellbeing support

Training and development access

Qualifications

• Head chef-level experience or equivalent senior kitchen experience needed.
• Proven leadership and team management skills required.
• Exceptional organization, stock, and budget management abilities necessary.
• Passion for delivering quality food and maintaining hygiene standards essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a small team, fostering a high-performing kitchen culture.
• Plan and prepare nutritious meals that exceed expectations.
• Manage stock, ordering, and cost control effectively.
• Maintain top hygiene, safety, and compliance standards.
• Innovate menus to excite students and staff.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen management

Budget management

Hygiene standards

Creativity in food preparation

Job description

Lead. Create. Inspire.

The Opportunity:

This isn’t just another chef role. This is your opportunity to take charge of a busy school kitchen, lead a team, and craft meals that make a real difference in children’s lives. If you have head chef-level experience, a passion for operational excellence, and a love for creating nutritious, high-quality food, this is the role for you.

Schools You Could Be Working In:

• St John's CofE School, 127 Stanmore Hill, Stanmore HA7 3FD

Join either of these schools and take pride in delivering meals that fuel students’ learning and wellbeing every day.

Hours:

As required, typically a 5–6 hour day between 08:00 am and 14:30 pm, offering you a great work–life balance.

What You Will Do:

• Lead, motivate, and mentor a small team, creating a high-performing kitchen culture.
• Plan, prepare, and deliver nutritious, high-quality meals that exceed expectations.
• Take charge of stock management, ordering, and cost control.
• Maintain top-tier hygiene, safety, and compliance standards.
• Innovate menus and introduce creative dishes that excite students and staff alike.

What We’re Looking For:

• Head chef-level experience or equivalent senior kitchen experience.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Exceptional organisation, stock, and budget management abilities.
• Passion for delivering amazing food and maintaining impeccable hygiene.
• Over 18 years old.
• Enhanced DBS preferred – Compass Group can provide this for the right candidate.

About Compass Group:

At Compass Group, we don’t just serve food—we create experiences. As the world’s leading foodservice provider, we deliver fresh, inspiring meals across schools, shaping healthier, happier futures. We invest in our people, embrace innovation, and value leadership. Your expertise will be recognised, your creativity celebrated, and your impact felt every day.

What Compass Group Offers:

• Competitive salary reflecting your experience and responsibility.
• A supportive, professional environment with real career progression.
• Compass Exclusive Benefits for our staff.
• Lifestyle Benefits “Perks” Platform to make your life easier and more enjoyable.
• Health & Wellbeing Support Programmes, including access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to training, development programs, and recognition schemes.
• The chance to lead a kitchen that truly matters, shaping children’s lives with every meal.

Step into a role where your skills are valued, your creativity celebrated, and your leadership makes a difference.

Apply today, it only takes a few minutes to complete.

Previous applicants need not apply