School Chef

We work smarter so that you can enjoy the things that matter outside of work Job Title: School Chef Location: Castle Garden School, Guildford, Surrey GU1 S3Q Hours: 30 hours per week | Monday–Friday Salary: Up to £23,000 per annum (not pro rata) Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only Start: September 2026 UK applicants only – no sponsorship available About the Role Are you passionate about creating nutritious, delicious meals that make a real difference in children’s lives? Do you thrive in a busy kitchen where quality, safety, and teamwork come first? If so, we’d love to hear from you. We are looking for a dedicated School Chef/Cook to lead our kitchen and deliver an exceptional catering service for our Centre. This is a rewarding role where your food will fuel learning, wellbeing, and joy every single day. Key Responsibilities Plan and prepare balanced, high‑quality menus tailored to Service Users’ dietary needs Provide meals for staff and children with specific dietary requirements Monitor stock, portion control, and food quality while staying within budget Maintain a clean, safe, and well‑organised kitchen to the highest standards Reduce waste through effective planning and careful preparation Check and meet daily meal requirements for visitors, staff, and Service Users Follow all Health & Safety, hygiene, food safety, and COSHH regulations, reporting issues promptly Manage suppliers: place orders, check deliveries, verify invoices, and resolve queries professionally Who we’re looking for: Experience in a school/nursery kitchen would be desirable A skilled cook with experience in a school, care, or high‑volume catering environment Someone who loves creating nutritious meals for children A natural team leader with strong communication skills A person who values safety, organisation, and high standards Someone flexible, reliable, and committed to excellent service About Us Castle Garden School is a brand-new independent specialist school for pupils with autism betwe