Chef
£49,500 gross per year · Full shared benefits
Purpose
Provide nutritious, enjoyable meals that reflect children's preferences, cultural identities and health needs.
Reporting line
Registered Manager
Working arrangements
Rota aligned to meal provision, including agreed weekends; safe kitchen relief arranged for days off.
England; specific location and weekly hours confirmed before appointment. Maximum eight-hour shifts include one hour of paid uninterrupted break with competent cover.
Key responsibilities
- Plan balanced menus with children and the nurse, accommodating prescribed diets.
- Control allergens, cross-contamination, storage temperatures and food traceability.
- Maintain kitchen hygiene, cleaning schedules and food-safety records.
- Order within budget, reduce waste and record stock and approved expenditure.
- Supervise the sous chef assistant and coordinate safe kitchen cover.
- Support age-appropriate cooking activities following individual risk assessment.
- Respect religious and cultural food preferences and avoid using food as punishment.
- Report equipment defects, illness and food-safety incidents promptly.
Experience
Relevant professional catering experience, including meals for children or people with individual dietary needs.
Qualifications and registration
Food hygiene and allergen-management training appropriate to leading a kitchen; relevant culinary qualification or equivalent competence.
Essential capabilities
- Safe catering and allergen practice supported by practical evidence.
- Ability to listen to children and adapt meals sensitively.
- Reliable stock management, hygiene routines and teamwork.
- Understanding of safeguarding boundaries in shared kitchen activities.
Desirable experience
Experience with paediatric dietary needs and food safety management systems.
What good performance looks like
Children have safe, varied meals and meaningful menu choices; food-safety records remain complete.
Benefits and safer recruitment
All employee benefits and recruitment standards apply, including 32 days holiday plus bank holidays, 8% employer pension, family medical and dental cover subject to insurer terms, and the clean driving licence criterion with reasonable adjustments where required. Required vetting is completed before a final contract.
Apply for AL06
Email hr@astha.org quoting this reference. HR will discuss the location, hours, secure application route and adjustments.