Head Chef (Teaching Kitchen Environment)
Salary: £36,000–£38,000 (DOE)
Hours: 37.5 per week (5 days)
Contract: Permanent

Benefits

• Health cash plan (after probation)

• Workplace pension

• 20 days’ holiday + bank holidays

• 4-weekly rotas

• 1 in 4 weekends off

• Ongoing training & development

• Structured service hours (daytime/early evening focus)

The Role

This is a unique Head Chef position within a specialist educational setting, combining a commercial pub kitchen with a hands-on teaching environment. This is a real functioning 7 days a week pub serving drinks and food.

You will lead a fresh food kitchen while supporting and teaching learners with additional needs, helping them develop real-world hospitality skills, confidence and independence.

We’re looking for a chef who can deliver high-quality food and strong kitchen leadership, while also being patient, structured and passionate about developing others.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring quality, consistency and profitability

• Maintain high standards of food safety, allergens and HACCP compliance

• Plan and deliver fresh, seasonal menus using locally sourced ingredients

• Manage stock, ordering, waste and kitchen organisation

• Teach and mentor learners in a working kitchen environment

• Create a positive, supportive and structured learning space

• Coach and develop kitchen team members

• Support budgeting, reporting and continuous improvement

What We’re Looking For

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a fresh food or pub kitchen

• Experience leading or supervising a kitchen team

• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergens

• Confidence in teaching, coaching or supporting others in a practical setting

• Organised, reliable and calm under pressure

• Passion for fresh, from-scratch cooking

• Patient, approachable and able to break tasks down clearly

Desirable:

• Experience in a senior chef role

• Experience working in training, education or with learners/apprentices

Additional Information

• Evening and weekend work required (within planned rota)

• Access to transport may be required

Safeguarding

This role is within an education setting and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks.

If you're a Head Chef looking for a role with purpose—where you can combine great food with meaningful teaching—this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact.

About Chefs for Chefs

Chefs for Chefs are committed to promoting equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, religion, belief, race, sexuality or disability.
We operate as both an employment agency and an employment business.
You can find a wide selection of vacancies on our website.