Executive Chef - Independent Boarding School - East-England – £55K
We’re recruiting an Executive Chef to lead a prestigious independent boarding school in East of England, overseeing a large-scale student dining operation alongside a growing hospitality & events offer.
This is a senior leadership role requiring strong financial control, team management and hospitality experience.
The Offer
1. Up to £55,000 salary
2. 40 hours per week
3. 5 days out of 7
4. 52-week contract
5. Flexible working structure
6. Strong work–life balance vs traditional hospitality
7. Long-term leadership opportunity
8. Large, well-supported operation
The School & Operation
9. Prestigious independent boarding school.
10. Students aged 7 - 18.
11. Around 1,200 students & staff fed daily.
12. Approximately 200 boarders on site.
13. Managing 6 catering outlets across the school.
14. Main kitchen plus satellite operations.
15. Strong hospitality & events offering.
16. Formal dinners, private functions & weddings.
17. Fresh food, high-volume environment.
18. Investment into facilities and growth.
The Food Offer
19. 3 core meal options daily.
20. 2 meat dishes & 1 vegetarian option.
21. Kosher options available.
22. Salad bar, soup & pasta station daily.
23. Hot & cold desserts.
24. Seasonal termly menu changes.
25. Hospitality menus for events & formal dining.
The Role
26. Lead the full catering operation as Executive Chef.
27. Manage a large multi-site school catering team.
28. Oversee 16 chefs within a wider 48-person team.
29. Drive food quality, consistency & standards.
30. Take ownership of GP, budgets & financial performance.
31. Lead stock control & purchasing.
32. Support and grow the hospitality operation.
33. Balance office-based management with kitchen leadership.
34. Maintain high H&S and compliance standards.
35. Develop structure, culture & team performance.
About You
36. Experienced Executive Head Chef or Head Chef in Independent School Catering.
37. Strong leadership and team development skills.
38. Reliable, consistent and committed to long-term roles.