Loughton
Chef Manager Independent Prep School Loughton Area - Essex Salary: £40,000 40 hours week,52 weeks per year A well-regarded independent prep school in Loughton, Essex is looking to appoint a dedicated and experienced Chef Manager to lead its catering operation. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on chef who enjoys working in a structured environment, values quality ingredients, and takes pride in delivering nutritious meals for a school community. Working hours will generally be 7:00am – 3:30pm or 10:30am – 7:00pm, depending on the needs, with some flexibility required on occasion, but the role offers a strong work–life balance overall. This is a hands-on leadership role, where you will be actively involved in food preparation as well as managing the operation and working within a small & dedicated team. Independent day prep school with approximately 300 pupils and 50 staff on site Daily catering: Breakfast club, Lunch service, After-school provision Minimal hospitality requirements Key Responsibilities Oversee the full day-to-day running of the kitchen and catering service Prepare and serve high-quality, nutritious meals tailored to a young age group Plan seasonal menus that meet dietary, nutritional, and allergen requirements Ensure full compliance with H & S, COSH, Food Safety and allergen regulations Manage ordering, stock control, and food cost budgets effectively Lead, train, and motivate the kitchen team to maintain high standards Build positive relationships with pupils, staff, and the wider school community About You Proven experience as a Chef Manager or Senior Chef within education or similar environments Strong knowledge of health & safety, food hygiene, and allergen management Confident managing and developing a small team Passion for fresh food and delivering consistent quality Well organised with good time management skills Approachable, reliable, and professional BOH1 TPBN1_UKCT