Sous Chef - Prestigious Independent School

Harris Lee; Greater London; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £41k-£43k

Permanent contract

Mon-Fri

Holiday hours

25 days leave + BH

Free meals

Pension

Work-life balance

Independent school catering

Job summary

Harris Lee is recruiting a Sous Chef for a prestigious independent school in West London. This senior, hands-on role works with the Executive Head Chef to run a busy school kitchen serving 825 pupils and 250+ staff, plus events.

The position offers Monday–Friday term-time with reduced hours during school holidays, a salary of £41,000–£43,000, and a comprehensive package including 25 days’ leave, free lunch, pension, and excellent work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a kitchen team in a high-quality catering operation.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, allergens and kitchen compliance.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Support and deputise for the Executive Head Chef and lead the kitchen team.
• Oversee daily food production, service and presentation to a high standard.
• Assist with menu planning, stock control, and cost management.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Communication

Organisation

Education

Professional chef qualification

Level 3 Food Safety/Hygiene

Job description

Sous Chef - Prestigious Independent School

Hammersmith, West London

£41,000 - £43,000 per annum

Permanent | Full-Time | Monday-Friday

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Sous Chef to join the in-house catering team at a prestigious independent secondary school in West London.

This is a senior, hands-on position working closely with the Executive Head Chef and supporting the day-to-day running of a high-quality school kitchen. The catering operation provides fresh lunches for approximately 825 pupils and 250+ staff, alongside private lunches, canapé receptions, dinners and other school functions.

This would suit an experienced Sous Chef, Chef Manager or Head Chef who enjoys producing high-quality fresh food but is looking for a role offering a much better work-life balance than traditional hospitality.

The Role

As Sous Chef, you will act as second-in-command to the Executive Head Chef and help oversee a kitchen team consisting of chefs and kitchen porters.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting and deputising for the Executive Head Chef
• Leading the kitchen team during daily food production and service
• Supervising food preparation, cooking and presentation
• Maintaining consistently high standards of fresh food and presentation
• Assisting with menu planning and development
• Managing stock levels, ordering, rotation and waste
• Supporting food-cost and budget control
• Training, mentoring and supporting junior members of the kitchen team
• Ensuring full compliance with HACCP, COSHH, food hygiene and allergen procedures
• Liaising with the front-of-house team to ensure smooth service
• Supporting catering for private lunches, canapé receptions, dinners and school events

About You

We are looking for an experienced chef with strong kitchen leadership experience who is comfortable remaining hands-on.

You should ideally have:

• Significant experience as a Sous Chef, Head Chef or Chef Manager
• Previous experience supervising or managing a kitchen team
• A recognised professional chef/cookery qualification
• Food Safety/Hygiene qualification - ideally Level 3
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, allergens and kitchen compliance
• Experience with ordering, stock control and food-cost management
• Experience producing fresh food to a consistently high standard
• Confidence deputising for a Head or Executive Chef
• Good communication and organisational skills

Previous experience within an independent school, education catering or another high-quality institutional catering environment would be a strong advantage, particularly where you have also catered for functions and events.

Working Hours

Term time - approximately 36 weeks:

Monday-Friday, 7:00am-4:00pm

School holidays - approximately 16 weeks:

Monday-Friday, 8:00am-2:30pm

There is a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.

There are occasional evening or weekend school events. Time off in lieu is available for some larger/weekend events.

Benefits

• £41,000-£43,000 salary, depending on experience
• Permanent, 52-week contract
• Monday-Friday working
• Significantly reduced hours during school holidays
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Free lunch, tea and coffee
• Contributory pension
• Excellent work-life balance compared with traditional hotel and restaurant kitchens
• Opportunity to join a highly regarded independent school catering operation

Annual leave must generally be taken during school holiday periods