School Kitchen Chef - Term-Time Leader & Menu Innovator

Matthew Arnold School; Oxford; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Matthew Arnold School is seeking a dedicated Chef to join our in-house catering team. This full-time role offers term-time hours (25–30 per week) with 39 weeks plus 12 days, providing a stable schedule within the school calendar.

You will plan menus with the Catering Manager, prepare and cook nutritious meals, manage stock and ordering, and maintain HACCP records to ensure high standards of hygiene and safety during events.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering, food preparation, stock control and ordering supplies.
• Ability to lead by example and motivate colleagues.
• Organised, reliable and able to work under pressure.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and health and safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan with the Catering Manager menus and prepare, cook and serve nutritious meals.
• Create termly menus and associated documentation to develop the catering offer.
• Deputise for the Catering Manager including ordering, stock control and supplier management and HACCP records.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene and safety during inspections and day-to-day operations.
• Organise catering for school events and support daily catering operations.
• Ensure cost control and waste reduction within budget.

Skills

Catering

Food prep

Stock control

Ordering

Leadership

Organised

Food hygiene

Health and safety

Customer service

Tools

HACCP

Job description

Matthew Arnold School is seeking a dedicated Chef to join our in-house catering team. This full-time role offers term-time hours (25–30 per week) with 39 weeks plus 12 days, providing a stable schedule within the school calendar.

You will plan menus with the Catering Manager, prepare and cook nutritious meals, manage stock and ordering, and maintain HACCP records to ensure high standards of hygiene and safety during events.