Head Chef

An independent co-educational day pre-prep school in Hampstead, London. Part of a small group of independent schools. Catering for 450 students and teachers. We offer a core feeding of lunch, morning and afternoon snacks and after school clubs. There is also some hospitality through the year. This is a term-time only contract working 35 weeks a year. This location operates Monday to Friday.

We are seeking a talented and passionate Head Chef to join our team at one of our prestigious locations in London.   

This position offers 40 hours per week during term time, with the exciting opportunity to cover the holiday club at an additional rate.

We are looking for a leader who can effectively manage a large team, is passionate about food, and can commit to additional hospitality events, usually in the afternoons and occasionally on Saturdays.

If you are a fast learner, computer literate, and eager to progress to the next level, we would love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with a team to provide breakfast, morning breaks, lunch, and hospitality services for pupils, teachers, and visitors.
• Prepare fresh, high-quality food from scratch in line with the company’s brand standards.
• Lead, train, and develop kitchen staff to maintain excellence.
• Uphold food standards while effectively managing waste.
• Ensure compliance with Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, and allergen control policies.

Skills Required:

• Genuine passion for food and delivering exceptional customer service.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire a team.
• Creativity and innovation in menu planning and food preparation.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Knowledge & Competencies:

• Strong communication skills in both verbal and written English.
• Proven experience in food preparation and customer service roles.
• Recognized cooking qualifications such as City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 (or equivalent).
• Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification is essential.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and creative chef to advance their career in a dynamic environment. You'll have the chance to work with fresh ingredients, develop innovative menus, and take on a leadership role while contributing to a thriving kitchen.

If you're ready to take the next step in your culinary career, we’d love to hear from you!

Benefits

• Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
• Free meals on duty
• Volunteers leave - up to one day per year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Recommend a friend bonus.
• Unrivalled individual training and development.
• Well established apprenticeship programme.
• Team & company social events.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Workplace pension.
• Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.

About us

Thomas Franks is a founder led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.

Disclaimer 

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role.

An enhanced DBS, Identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process. As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed. However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind-over must be declared.

Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks

We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under-represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.