Lead School Chef - September Start

Lead School Chef

Location: North West London

Salary: Up to £32,000 per annum

Hours: 7:00am - 3:00pm, Monday to Friday

Contract: Term Time Only

Start Date: September 2026

SANZA Teaching Agency are supporting a warm and welcoming infant school in North West London who are seeking an experienced Lead School Chef to join their team as soon as possible.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and organised school catering professional to take ownership of a busy and well-run kitchen within a nurturing school environment.

The school has a strong community feel and places great importance on providing healthy, nutritious meals for its pupils each day.

The successful candidate will play a key role in overseeing the smooth running of the kitchen, ensuring meals are prepared to a high standard whilst maintaining excellent hygiene and food safety practices. Previous school catering experience is essential for this role.

About the School

• Welcoming and community-focused infant school
• Supportive leadership team and friendly staff culture
• Strong emphasis on pupil wellbeing and healthy living
• Positive and nurturing environment for both staff and pupils
• Well-organised kitchen facilities and established catering provision
• Excellent location with strong transport links
• Stable and supportive working environment
• Term-time only position offering excellent work-life balance

The Role

The Lead School Chef will oversee the day-to-day running of the school kitchen and ensure the delivery of nutritious, high-quality meals for pupils and staff.

• Planning and preparing healthy meals in line with school food standards
• Managing kitchen operations efficiently and safely
• Supervising kitchen staff where required
• Maintaining high levels of hygiene and cleanliness
• Ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and allergen guidance
• Managing stock control and placing orders
• Monitoring food quality and presentation
• Working collaboratively with school leadership and staff

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Previous experience working within a school kitchen environment
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or equivalent)
• Strong understanding of food safety and allergen management
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• The ability to work independently and efficiently
• A proactive and positive attitude
• Experience managing or leading a kitchen team is desirable
• A passion for preparing nutritious meals for children

Benefits of working with SANZA

• Top 100 Company to Work For
• PAYE payroll only - no umbrella companies
• Dedicated consultant support throughout your placement
• Competitive salaries and long-term opportunities
• Honest and transparent communication
• Access to a wide network of excellent schools
• Ongoing support from experienced education recruiters

SANZA Teaching Agency are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS and reference checks in line with safer recruitment practices.