Chef Manager

Location: Ark Atwood Primary Academy, Westminster, London W9 2JY
Salary: £35,368–£41,010 FTE, with actual pro-rata salary dependent on experience and suitability
Job Type: Full-time, term-time plus 2 weeks
Hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract: 41 weeks per year
Start Date: September 2026
Application Deadline: Friday 28 August 2026 at 10:00 AM
Nearest Stations: Royal Oak or Warwick Avenue

About the Role

Ark Atwood Primary Academy is looking for an experienced and passionate Chef Manager to lead its school catering operation in Westminster.

You will manage the catering team and oversee the preparation and delivery of high-quality, nutritious meals and refreshments for approximately 450 pupils, staff, and visitors each day.

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative catering professional who is passionate about healthy eating, food education, and delivering excellent service in a school environment.

Key Responsibilities

Catering & Menu Management

Lead the preparation and service of daily school meals and refreshments.
Create nutritious, balanced three-week menu cycles suitable for children aged 4–11.
Develop menus using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Prepare menus for school events and hospitality functions.
Introduce creative food initiatives, themed days, and new service ideas.
Order food, ingredients, and other catering supplies.
Monitor food costs, stock levels, and kitchen waste.
Maintain accurate records of stock, recipes, food costs, and wastage.

Team & Staff Management

Lead and support the school’s catering team.
Organise staff rotas and ensure appropriate kitchen cover.
Assist with recruitment, induction, and training of catering staff.
Conduct staff appraisals and identify development opportunities.
Create and manage individual and team training plans.
Motivate staff and promote high standards of teamwork and performance.

Financial & Operational Management

Manage the catering operation within agreed budgets.
Monitor financial performance and address any overspending.
Complete regular stock checks and cost-per-head calculations.
Ensure efficient use of staff, resources, and equipment.
Maintain high standards of customer service.
Gather and respond to feedback from pupils, staff, and visitors.

Food Safety & Health and Safety

Ensure all food is prepared and stored in accordance with food safety requirements.
Maintain accurate food safety and kitchen records.
Ensure kitchen, storage, dining, and service areas remain clean and hygienic.
Organise deep cleaning when required.
Ensure catering staff receive appropriate food safety training.
Monitor kitchen equipment and report maintenance issues promptly.
Ensure all health, safety, fire, and hygiene requirements are followed.

Food Education

A key part of the role will be helping pupils develop a positive relationship with food and healthy eating.

You will:

Lead food education initiatives across the school.
Support cooking classes and food-related activities.
Deliver food education through assemblies and other school activities.
Create engaging food and nutrition displays.
Promote healthy, balanced eating among pupils.

Candidate Requirements

The successful candidate should have:

A relevant catering qualification.
Experience cooking food in large quantities.
Strong knowledge of healthy eating and nutrition.
Excellent communication skills with both children and adults.
Strong customer service experience.
Good organisational and time-management skills.
Experience with stock management, booking, or financial IT systems.
The ability to lead, motivate, and develop a catering team.
A creative approach to menu development and modern food trends.
A strong commitment to food quality and nutritional standards.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

Level 2 Food Hygiene and Health & Safety qualification.
First Aid qualification.
Previous experience managing kitchen staff.
Experience working with children.
Experience catering for diverse cultural and dietary requirements.
Experience in front-of-house and catering management.

What We’re Looking For

We want someone who is passionate about providing nutritious, high-quality food and helping children develop healthy eating habits.

You should be:

Creative and innovative.
Highly organised and detail-oriented.
A strong team leader and motivator.
Friendly, approachable, and professional.
Calm and effective under pressure.
Flexible and willing to take on additional responsibilities.
Passionate about children’s wellbeing and education.
Committed to equality, inclusion, and safeguarding.
Interested in sustainability and environmental issues.

Employee Benefits

Ark offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Salaries 2.5% above the main pay scale.
Twice as many training days as standard.
Generous pension scheme.
Access to Ark Rewards with discounts from over 3,000 retailers.
Interest-free loans of up to £5,000 for season tickets or bicycle purchases.
Gym discounts of up to 40%.
Employee Assistance Programme with confidential counselling, legal advice, and support.
Opportunities for professional development and training.

About Ark Atwood Primary Academy

Ark Atwood is a two-form entry primary school serving the local community in north Westminster. The school is committed to providing an excellent education and helping every pupil fulfil their potential.

The academy was rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted in 2024 and places strong emphasis on pupil welfare, achievement, and personal development.

As part of Ark, one of the UK’s leading multi-academy trusts, you will join a wider network of schools and benefit from extensive professional development opportunities.

How to Apply

The role starts in September 2026.

Application deadline: Friday 28 August 2026 at 10:00 AM.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, so early applications are encouraged. The vacancy may close before the deadline if sufficient applications are received.

School visits are warmly encouraged. For an informal discussion or to arrange a visit, contact the school directly.

Successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check as part of Ark’s safeguarding and safer recruitment procedures.

If you are an experienced catering professional who wants to make a positive difference to children’s health, wellbeing, and education, this is an excellent opportunity to join the team at Ark Atwood Primary Academy.