Head Chef
Location: Derbyshire (Exact location shared upon shortlisting)
Salary: £25,500 – £28,500 per annum (actual salary, depending on experience)
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time, Term-Time Only
Hours: 7:30am – 4:00pm | 40 working weeks per year
Are you a passionate and experienced Chef looking for a rewarding term-time role in an educational setting with a great work-life balance? KSB Recruitment is proud to be working with a respected client to recruit a Chef to lead the kitchen operations at a specialist school in Derbyshire. This role offers stability, impact, and the chance to contribute to the health and well-being of young people in a nurturing environment.
About the Role:
In this position, you will manage the kitchen and oversee the preparation of nutritious meals tailored to various dietary needs. You will ensure a high standard of food service, manage supplies, maintain hygiene standards, and lead a small kitchen team. The role combines structure and responsibility in a highly rewarding setting.
What We Offer:
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Competitive Salary: £25,500 – £28,500 per annum (actual salary, term-time only).
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Term-Time Work: Enjoy all school holidays off for an excellent work-life balance.
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Attractive Benefits Package:
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Life assurance
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Competitive pension scheme
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Perkbox discounts
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Employee assistance programme
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Car lease scheme
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Fully funded training and qualifications
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Bike to work scheme
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Free health cashback plan (covering dental, optical, physio & more)
Key Responsibilities:
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Plan, prepare, and cook balanced meals meeting dietary requirements.
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Maintain stock levels, order supplies, and manage kitchen documentation.
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Ensure food hygiene, kitchen safety, and cleaning protocols are upheld.
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Train and support kitchen staff, including creating rotas and handling onboarding.
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Handle food deliveries and ensure accurate storage and rotation.
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Coordinate deep cleaning and report any equipment issues.
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Support food-related educational activities where needed.
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Occasionally cater for special school events outside regular hours.
Requirements:
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Experience managing catering for 40–80 people.
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Confident planning menus and adapting meals for specific dietary needs.
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Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 3 desirable).
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Familiarity with food safety legislation (e.g. COSHH, manual handling).
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Strong organisation and communication skills.
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Flexible, proactive attitude with willingness to develop.
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Must be eligible to work in the UK and pass an Enhanced DBS check.
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Must be available for occasional duties during school holidays (e.g. deep cleaning).
How to Apply for Chef Job:
If you’re a capable Chef looking for a long-term role with structure and purpose, we want to hear from you! Apply today to take the next step in your career and become the Chef at a supportive, specialist school in Derbyshire.
Start Date: May 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter)
For more information or to request a full job description, please contact our recruitment team directly.