{"id":3962991,"url":"https://alion.io/job/elior-uk-school-chef","title":"School Chef","company":{"id":2110730,"name":"Elior UK","domain":"elior.co.uk","url":"https://alion.io/company/elior-co-uk","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Dayforce","truth_index":null},"role":"Hospitality","role_family":"Hospitality","seniority":null,"employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["London, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-09T01:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-09","last_verified_at":"2026-11-09T12:38:48Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":0,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":0},"description":"School Chef\nHurlingham Prep School, Putney | Lexington Independents\nGreat food. Happy pupils. A better work-life balance.\nLocation: Hurlingham Prep School, Putney, LondonContract: Permanent | Term-time only – 34 weeks per yearSalary: Competitive, pro rata, paid in 12 equal monthly instalmentsWorking hours: Monday to Friday, hours to be confirmedReporting to: Chef Manager\nAbout the opportunity\nAre you a passionate chef who loves fresh food, takes pride in quality and enjoys being part of a supportive team?\nLexington Independents is looking for an enthusiastic and reliable School Chef to join our catering team at Hurlingham Prep School, a leading independent preparatory school in Putney.\nThis is a fantastic opportunity to work in a food-focused environment where creativity, quality and care are at the heart of everything we do.\nAt Hurlingham, we are proud to deliver a fully ultra-processed-food-free menu, with a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients, homemade dishes, nutritious meals and familiar favourites that pupils genuinely enjoy.\nWorking alongside our Chef Manager, Assistant Chef and wider catering team, you'll help create a positive dining experience for pupils and staff every day.\nAnd with just 34 working weeks per year, you'll enjoy a rewarding kitchen career with the benefit of school holidays.\nWhat you'll be doing\nFresh food and great cooking\nPrepare, cook and present delicious, nutritious meals using fresh, quality ingredients.\nDeliver consistently high standards of flavour, presentation and food quality.\nSupport our commitment to homemade cooking and our ultra-processed-food-free menu.\nHelp deliver balanced, varied menus that combine traditional favourites with exciting new dishes.\nFollow agreed recipes, portion standards and production schedules to ensure consistency.\nContribute ideas for menu development, seasonal dishes and continuous improvement.\nTeamwork and daily operations\nWork closely with the Chef Manager and Assistant Chef to deliver a smooth, well-organised kitchen operation.\nTake a hands-on approach to food preparation, cooking, service and kitchen duties.\nSupport colleagues during busy periods, encouraging a positive, respectful and collaborative working environment.\nAssist with stock rotation, food storage, portion control and reducing food waste.\nTake responsibility for assigned tasks and maintain excellent standards throughout the day.\nPupil engagement and food service\nPlay an active role in serving pupils and staff, providing a friendly, welcoming and professional experience.\nPresent food attractively and encourage pupils to explore and enjoy a balanced range of dishes.\nUnderstand the importance of age-appropriate portions, familiar choices and positive food experiences.\nListen to pupil feedback and work with the team to continually improve the dining experience.\nAllergies and special dietary requirements\nWork alongside the Chef Manager and Assistant Chef to ensure pupils with allergies and special dietary requirements are catered for safely and appropriately.\nFollow all agreed allergy management procedures, including correct preparation, identification, labelling, verification and service.\nMaintain clear communication with the kitchen and service team regarding individual dietary requirements.\nPrevent allergen cross-contact through safe food handling, storage and preparation practices.\nEnsure meals for pupils with allergies are checked and verified in accordance with established procedures before service.\nEscalate any uncertainty or concern immediately. Pupil safety must always come first.\nFood safety and compliance\nMaintain excellent standards of food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness and personal presentation.\nFollow all food safety, HACCP, health and safety and COSHH procedures.\nComplete accurate daily food safety records, including temperature monitoring, cleaning schedules and relevant checks.\nFollow company policies, safe working practices and safeguarding requirements.\nSupport the Chef Manager in maintaining a safe, compliant and well-organised kitchen.\nWhat we're looking for\nWe're looking for someone who genuinely enjoys cooking and understands the difference that great food can make to a child's school day.\nYou'll bring:\nPrevious professional kitchen experience and a passion for cooking fresh, quality food.\nStrong food preparation, cooking and presentation skills.\nGood knowledge of food hygiene, food safety and allergen management.\nA Food Safety Level 2 qualification or equivalent, with relevant allergy training.\nA positive attitude, reliability and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.\nGood communication skills and a willingness to support colleagues.\nStrong attention to detail, particularly around allergies, dietary requirements and compliance.\nA friendly, professional approach to working in a school environment.\nExperience in education or contract catering would be advantageous, but we're equally interested in talented chefs from other hospitality backgrounds who share our passion for food and service.\nWhy join Lexington Independents?\nTerm-time working: Just 34 weeks per year, giving you valuable time away during school holidays.\nConsistent monthly pay: Your pro-rata salary is spread across 12 equal monthly payments.\nFresh-food culture: Enjoy working with quality ingredients and making food from scratch.\nSupportive team: Work alongside experienced colleagues who take pride in what they do.\nMeaningful work: Make a positive difference to pupils' wellbeing and their enjoyment of food.\nOpportunity to develop: Be part of a business that values food innovation, teamwork and professional standards.\nJoin our team\nAt Lexington Independents, we believe school food should be something pupils look forward to.\nIf you're a passionate, hardworking chef who enjoys creating great food, supporting colleagues and delivering excellent standards, we'd love to hear from you.\nLexington Independents is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. 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