Job Overview
We are looking for two Chefs to join our excellent catering team. The two vacancies are as follows:
Vacancy One - Duty Chef
Monday to Saturday with Friday as a day off from 9.30am to 6.00pm for all weeks during term (approx. 34 weeks).
Vacancy Two - Breakfast/Pastry Chef
Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 3.00pm for all weeks during term (approx. 34 weeks).
In addition, the Chefs will be required to work for up to two weeks during the School summer holidays to cater for an overseas language School.
The place of work could be either the Senior School or Prep School.
The rate of pay is £28,400 per annum, with Saturdays paid at time and a half.
When applying, please specify which vacancy(ies) you are applying for.
The Catering Department
We cater, over two campuses, for eight hundred pupils aged from 2 to 18 years, plus an additional one hundred and fifty staff. As well as the day-to-day catering operation, we also cater for match teas, weddings, formal dinners and charity balls, barbecues, garden parties and dinners from three to 300 guests. We have a very hard working and dedicated catering team of around 25 and we work with predominately fresh, local ingredients, delivered daily. During the School holidays we cater for residential music courses and an overseas language school. We currently hold five stars in the food safety scheme.
The Role
- Assist the chefs with basic food preparation, including beverages;
- Prepare the serveries and dining area for service, and serving as required;
- Washing up, clearing of tables and work surfaces and general cleaning of kitchen/dining areas, including emptying of bins;
- Assist in the checking-in and storing of supplies;
- Keep HACCP records, such as for refrigerators and food temperatures;
- Ensure the standards of cleanliness of the work areas, refectory, dining areas and meeting rooms are of a very high standard at all times;
- To ensure that pupils, staff, guests and visitors are given a prompt and efficient service and expectations are consistently exceeded;
- Ensure all tasks are performed to the highest required hygiene standards.
Person Specification
- Be passionate about great-tasting food and exceptional customer service;
- Previous proven experience in a similar role;
- Have a can-do attitude and be flexible to sudden changes;
- Have very good organisational and time-keeping skills;
- Enjoy working and interacting with people and be a good communicator;
- Be very good at multitasking;
- Have high standards of work and very good personal presentation;
- Be a very good team player, reliable and trustworthy.
- Having experience supervising a team and holding a catering qualification are both desirable.
Closing date: Friday 31st July 2026
Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and a declaration of medical fitness. It is an offence to apply for this role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
Sutton Valence School is an equal opportunities employer.
Please note: we reserve the right to appoint prior to the closing date.
Pay: From £28,400.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Do you have a full, UK driving licence?
- Could you please provide your email address as we may need to contact you to request a formal application form?
- Please can you specify which vacancy you are applying for (1 or 2)?
Work Location: In person
