School Chef Jobs

Looking to inspire young minds with nutritious and tasty meals? Blue Arrow connects talented chefs with rewarding roles in schools across the UK. Whether you prefer permanent or temporary work, discover school chef opportunities that suit your lifestyle and help shape students' dining experiences.

Search 20 vacancies
Liverpool, Merseyside
£16.00 - £25.00 per hourLiverpoolHospitality and CateringPart TimeContractTRCSchool Friendly
Chef - Flexible Temp Cover Location: Liverpool, Wirral, Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales Employer: Blue Arrow Recruitment Job Type: Temporary / Part-Time / Flexible Pay Rate: £16 - £25 per hour (enhanced rates at some sites) Start Date: ASAP Looking for a better work-life...
Lymington, Hampshire
£NegotiablePart-timeHospitality and CateringSouthamptonSchool FriendlyCompass GroupPart Time
️ Catering Assistants Wanted - Lymington Join Blue Arrow and make a difference in your local schools! Looking for a role that fits around your family life? We're recruiting Catering Assistants to work in school kitchens Lymington with immediate start. Enjoy weekday, term-time only hours - perfect...
Exeter, Devon
Up to £12.50 per hour + Holiday pay, pensionPart TimeBristolHospitality and CateringPart-time
School Catering Assistants - Exeter £12.50 per hour Monday to Friday 10:00-14:00 Join our friendly school catering team in Bristol! We're looking for enthusiastic Catering Assistants to help serve nutritious meals and keep lunchtime running smoothly. What We Offer * £12.50 per hour *...
Coventry, West Midlands
£16.00 - £18.00 per hourTemporaryCoventryHospitality and Catering
‍ Job Opportunity: School Chef - Across Coventry ‍ Location: Coventry Pay Rate: From £16.00 per hour Contract Type: Part-time / Term-time only DBS Check: Required (Enhanced) Are you a skilled and passionate Chef looking for a rewarding role that fits around school hours? We are seeking experienced...
Leicester, Leicestershire
£16.00 - £18.00 per hourHospitality and CateringCoventryTemporary
‍ Job Opportunity: School Chef - Across Leicester ‍ Location: Leicester Pay Rate: From £16.00 per hour Contract Type: Part-time / Term-time only DBS Check: Required (Enhanced) Are you a skilled and passionate Chef looking for a rewarding role that fits around school hours? We are seeking...
Maidstone, Kent
£12.21 - £13.21 per hourFull TimeSchool FriendlyMaidstoneTemporaryHospitality and Catering The Recruitment Co
Job Opportunity: Kitchen staff - School in Maidstone Location: Maidstone, Kent Position: Kitchen Porter Contract Type: Full-time/Part-time Salary: £12.21 Start Date: September Are you passionate about supporting children's wellbeing through nutritious meals? We are seeking a...
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
£12.21 - £13.21 per hourHospitality and CateringSchool FriendlyFull Time The Recruitment CoTemporaryMaidstone
Job Opportunity: Kitchen Porter - School in Dover Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent Position: Kitchen Porter Contract Type: Full-time/Part-time Salary: £12.21 Start Date: September Are you passionate about supporting children's wellbeing through nutritious meals? We are seeking a...
Dover, Kent
£12.21 - £13.21 per hourTemporaryHospitality and CateringMaidstoneSchool FriendlyFull Time The Recruitment Co
Job Opportunity: Kitchen Assistant - School in Dover Location: Dover, Kent Position: Kitchen Assistant Contract Type: Full-time/Part-time Salary: £12.21 Start Date: September Are you passionate about supporting children's wellbeing through nutritious meals? We are seeking a...
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire
£17.00 - £18.00 per hourPart-timeTemporaryFull-timePart TimeFull TimeHospitality and CateringStoke on Trent
School Chef/Cook Location: Stoke on Trent & Staffordshire Establishments: Schools & Nurseries Contract type: Temporary - some contracts may lead to permanent after successful period. Hourly rate/Salary: £17p/h - £18p/h Do you love cooking up tasty food that puts smiles...
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
£23320.00 - £25259.00 per annumPeterboroughHospitality and CateringFull-time
Expected start date late September. Purpose of the Job To plan, prepare, and cook nutritious, balanced meals that support the health, wellbeing, and learning of primary-aged children in a safe and caring environment. The Cook will ensure high standards of hygiene, food safety, and service;...

School Chef Opportunities in the UK

School chef jobs are essential for providing nutritious meals to students, ensuring they receive the energy and focus required for their studies. These roles are available in various educational settings, from primary schools to universities, offering diverse opportunities for culinary professionals. With increasing emphasis on healthy eating in schools, the demand for skilled school chefs continues to grow. Whether you’re seeking a full-time career or part-time flexibility, school chef positions provide a rewarding way to make a positive impact on students’ lives.

Explore School Chef Jobs by Role

School chef roles vary depending on the educational institution and the responsibilities involved. Below is an overview of key positions:

Primary School Chef Roles

Primary school chefs focus on creating balanced, child-friendly meals that cater to younger students’ nutritional needs. These roles often involve menu planning, preparation, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. Working in primary schools offers a chance to shape healthy eating habits in children.

Secondary School Chef Positions

Secondary school chefs manage larger-scale meal preparation, often catering to more diverse tastes and dietary requirements, such as allergies and intolerances (e.g. nuts, gluten, and dairy), cultural and religious preferences (e.g. halal, kosher, vegan, vegetarian), and medical/health-conscious diets (e.g. diabetic-friendly, low sodium, etc.). These roles require strong organisational skills and the ability to manage kitchen teams. Secondary school chefs play a crucial role in maintaining meal quality during busy lunch periods.

Flexible and Part-Time School Chef Jobs

Part-time school chef roles are perfect for individuals seeking work-life balance. These positions often involve flexible hours, such as working during school terms or on specific days, making them ideal for parents or those with other commitments.

Senior School Catering Roles

Senior school chefs, including catering managers, oversee kitchen operations, menu development, and staff coordination. These leadership positions require extensive experience and a focus on maintaining high standards of food quality and service. Senior roles often come with added responsibilities such as budgeting and compliance management.

School Chef Jobs by Contract Type

School chef jobs come in various contract types, providing flexibility to suit different career goals and lifestyles. Here’s an overview of common contract types:

Full-Time School Chef Jobs

Full-time school chef roles offer both stability and the opportunity to immerse yourself in a consistent kitchen environment. These positions often include a range of benefits, such as paid holidays, and can provide chef career progression opportunities.

Part-Time and Flexible School Cook Roles

Part-time school cook jobs are ideal for those seeking shorter working hours or term-time schedules. These roles offer flexibility while allowing you to contribute meaningfully to school catering operations.

Temporary School Catering Jobs

Temporary school chef roles are perfect for individuals who are looking to gain experience quickly or work during peak periods. These positions provide exposure to different school settings and are an excellent way to build your professional network.

School Chef Jobs FAQ

What Do School Chef Jobs Involve?

School chef jobs involve preparing and serving nutritious meals, managing kitchen operations, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards in educational settings.

Do I Need Experience to Work as a School Chef?

Experience in catering is beneficial, but entry-level roles may not always require prior experience. Skills such as time management and food hygiene knowledge are valuable.

How Much Can I Earn as a School Chef?

School chef salaries typically range from £18,000 to £30,000 annually, depending on the role, location, and level of responsibility.

Are There Flexible School Catering Roles?

Yes, flexible roles are widely available, including part-time positions and term-time contracts, allowing for a better work-life balance.