School Kitchen Lead: Shape Nutritious, Home-Cooked Meals

Positive Futures Recruitment Ltd; West of England; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Positive Futures Recruitment Ltd is recruiting a School Chef/Cook for a brand-new specialist school opening in January 2027. The role is based at Backwell and offers 40-hour weeks Term Time Only (41 weeks), with a permanent, full-time contract.

Salary ranges from £27,105 to £30,355 per year, with start date 1 December 2026. You will lead the school kitchen, develop balanced menus, ensure high hygiene standards and accommodate dietary needs, allergens, and sensory requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience cooking with a wide range of fresh ingredients.
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene and catering legislation.
• Experience managing stock, portions and budgets.
• Knowledge of special diets, allergens and nutrition.
• Experience supervising catering staff.
• Excellent communication with stakeholders.
• Good organisational skills and record keeping.
• Awareness of learning disabilities/additional needs affecting catering.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and serve nutritious meals using fresh ingredients.
• Plan balanced menus meeting dietary and allergen requirements.
• Manage stock control, ordering, portioning and budgeting.
• Supervise and support kitchen staff, including rotas and training.
• Build relationships with students and staff to promote healthy eating.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene, health and safety and comply with legislation.
• Collaborate with students, staff and suppliers to ensure nutritious and inclusive meals.

Skills

Fresh ingredients

Food hygiene

Budgeting

Dietary knowledge

Staff supervision

Stakeholder communication

Organisation

Special needs awareness

Job description

Positive Futures Recruitment Ltd is recruiting a School Chef/Cook for a brand-new specialist school opening in January 2027. The role is based at Backwell and offers 40-hour weeks Term Time Only (41 weeks), with a permanent, full-time contract.

Salary ranges from £27,105 to £30,355 per year, with start date 1 December 2026. You will lead the school kitchen, develop balanced menus, ensure high hygiene standards and accommodate dietary needs, allergens, and sensory requirements.