School Chef

Hours: 37 hours per week, term time only plus INSET days 

About this Role

Maiden Erlegh Trust operates an in-house catering function, delivering high quality and nutritious food to students within our schools. Working under the direction of the Trust catering manager, the school chef would support in the creation of, and manage the delivery of, the menu based on the needs of the local setting. 

By providing excellent care and services to students, the successful candidate will support to grow the catering operations of this brand-new school and will work with the wider Trust to implement its sustainability objectives relating to catering operations. 

We are looking for staff who are willing to be flexible to support the needs of students, and other stakeholders, and to meet the operational needs of the school. This will provide excellent opportunities for staff to develop new skills and gain experience in a variety of areas.

The successful candidate will be: 

• Responsible for preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our staff and  students. 
• Able to oversee and implement menu changes. 
• Proactive in identifying opportunities to improve our food services and customer experience.
• Confident working in a busy kitchen and possess prior experience supervising staff. 
• Able to professionally lead the school-based catering team. 

 We are looking for someone who has:  

• Experience in producing food of a high quality. 
• Previous catering experience, preferably within a School, high volume restaurants or contract catering environment.
• A current level 2 Food Hygiene and Allergen certificate. 
• Experience of the Food standards and H&S requirements of a school catering setting. 
• Line management experience.  
• The ability to develop positive and caring relationships with children. 

A high level of professionalism, with respect for others, and a positive attitude towards the day to day workload.

The school will be a part of the successful Maiden Erlegh Trust who currently operate eight other schools in Berkshire and South Oxfordshire. The Trust has a reputation for driving high standards and excellence in all its schools, with a strong track record of outcomes and improving OFSTED grading. 

Our People Development Curriculum provides professional development pathways for every role within the Trust, both teaching and support staff, through which staff can tailor CPD to their own needs. 

We have a proven track record of supporting ambitious staff in to middle and senior leadership posts and can offer opportunities to broaden your impact on the sector through the work of the Maiden Erlegh Institute. We are very happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including part-time working and job-sharing. 

To learn more about our school, visit our website www.maidenerleghschoolreading.co.uk. 

If you would like to have an informal chat with our hiring manager about this post, please email recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org.    

Closing date: Open until successful appointment

Interviews: Date to be confirmed

The Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint before the closing date.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to safeguarding, equality and promoting the welfare of children and staff. We are also committed to being ambitious for all and supporting everyone to reach their full potential. All employees of the Trust are expected to share these commitments. All posts require satisfactory employment checks and references and a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. All Leadership roles will require a Section 128 check.