School Chef

School Chef

Hurlingham Prep School, Putney | Lexington Independents

Great food. Happy pupils. A better work-life balance.

Location: 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

About the opportunity

Are you a passionate chef who loves fresh food, takes pride in quality and enjoys being part of a supportive team?

Lexington 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.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a food-focused environment where creativity, quality and care are at the heart of everything we do.

At 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.

Working alongside our Chef Manager, Assistant Chef and wider catering team, you'll help create a positive dining experience for pupils and staff every day.

And with just 34 working weeks per year, you'll enjoy a rewarding kitchen career with the benefit of school holidays.

What you'll be doing

Fresh food and great cooking

Prepare, cook and present delicious, nutritious meals using fresh, quality ingredients.

Deliver consistently high standards of flavour, presentation and food quality.

Support our commitment to homemade cooking and our ultra-processed-food-free menu.

Help deliver balanced, varied menus that combine traditional favourites with exciting new dishes.

Follow agreed recipes, portion standards and production schedules to ensure consistency.

Contribute ideas for menu development, seasonal dishes and continuous improvement.

Teamwork and daily operations

Work closely with the Chef Manager and Assistant Chef to deliver a smooth, well-organised kitchen operation.

Take a hands-on approach to food preparation, cooking, service and kitchen duties.

Support colleagues during busy periods, encouraging a positive, respectful and collaborative working environment.

Assist with stock rotation, food storage, portion control and reducing food waste.

Take responsibility for assigned tasks and maintain excellent standards throughout the day.

Pupil engagement and food service

Play an active role in serving pupils and staff, providing a friendly, welcoming and professional experience.

Present food attractively and encourage pupils to explore and enjoy a balanced range of dishes.

Understand the importance of age-appropriate portions, familiar choices and positive food experiences.

Listen to pupil feedback and work with the team to continually improve the dining experience.

Allergies and special dietary requirements

Work alongside the Chef Manager and Assistant Chef to ensure pupils with allergies and special dietary requirements are catered for safely and appropriately.

Follow all agreed allergy management procedures, including correct preparation, identification, labelling, verification and service.

Maintain clear communication with the kitchen and service team regarding individual dietary requirements.

Prevent allergen cross-contact through safe food handling, storage and preparation practices.

Ensure meals for pupils with allergies are checked and verified in accordance with established procedures before service.

Escalate any uncertainty or concern immediately. Pupil safety must always come first.

Food safety and compliance

Maintain excellent standards of food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness and personal presentation.

Follow all food safety, HACCP, health and safety and COSHH procedures.

Complete accurate daily food safety records, including temperature monitoring, cleaning schedules and relevant checks.

Follow company policies, safe working practices and safeguarding requirements.

Support the Chef Manager in maintaining a safe, compliant and well-organised kitchen.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who genuinely enjoys cooking and understands the difference that great food can make to a child's school day.

You'll bring:

Previous professional kitchen experience and a passion for cooking fresh, quality food.

Strong food preparation, cooking and presentation skills.

Good knowledge of food hygiene, food safety and allergen management.

A Food Safety Level 2 qualification or equivalent, with relevant allergy training.

A positive attitude, reliability and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Good communication skills and a willingness to support colleagues.

Strong attention to detail, particularly around allergies, dietary requirements and compliance.

A friendly, professional approach to working in a school environment.

Experience 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.

Why join Lexington Independents?

Term-time working: Just 34 weeks per year, giving you valuable time away during school holidays.

Consistent monthly pay: Your pro-rata salary is spread across 12 equal monthly payments.

Fresh-food culture: Enjoy working with quality ingredients and making food from scratch.

Supportive team: Work alongside experienced colleagues who take pride in what they do.

Meaningful work: Make a positive difference to pupils' wellbeing and their enjoyment of food.

Opportunity to develop: Be part of a business that values food innovation, teamwork and professional standards.

Join our team

At Lexington Independents, we believe school food should be something pupils look forward to.

If you're a passionate, hardworking chef who enjoys creating great food, supporting colleagues and delivering excellent standards, we'd love to hear from you.

Lexington Independents is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Appointment will be subject to appropriate pre-employment and safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check.