Salary: £20,167.25-£20,246.40 pro rata of £24,714.00-£24,811.00
Contract Type: 37 hours per week, 37 weeks per year, permanent.
Location: Paignton, Devon
Bring Your Passion for Food to South Devon College!
Do you thrive in a fast-paced kitchen? Love creating delicious dishes and delighting customers with quality food? If you're an enthusiastic chef who takes pride in producing great food while maintaining high standards, we want to hear from you!
We're looking for a Commercial Chef to join our talented catering team, helping to deliver exceptional dining experiences for both internal and external customers. From crafting tasty daily specials to contributing fresh menu ideas, you'll play a key role in the success of our commercial catering operation.
What You'll Be Doing
- Preparing and cooking a wide variety of high-quality food.
- Supporting menu planning and contributing creative ideas.
- Assisting with food service when required.
- Managing stock and ingredients efficiently to optimise costs.
- Maintaining excellent standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues to keep operations running smoothly.
- Supporting quality assurance processes and continuous improvement.
- Championing health and safety, equality, diversity, and inclusion across the team.
What We're Looking For
We're seeking someone who:
- Has a genuine passion for food and customer service.
- Takes pride in producing quality dishes consistently.
- Works well as part of a team and communicates effectively.
- Is organised, proactive, and able to thrive in a busy environment.
- Is committed to maintaining high standards of food hygiene and safety.
- Is intentionally inclusive and values diversity.
- Is curious, adaptable, and open to learning new ways of working.
- Brings a positive attitude and strong work ethic every day.
Why Join Us?
At South Devon College, you'll be part of a supportive and friendly team that values creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. You'll have the opportunity to make a real impact while developing your skills in a dynamic commercial catering environment.
Ready to Cook Up Something Special?
Whether you're an experienced chef looking for your next challenge or someone eager to bring fresh ideas to the kitchen, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and help us serve up excellence, one plate at a time!
Our staff are integral to maintaining our passion and high-performance levels, and we reward our staff for this. Our benefits are designed to encourage a healthy work-life balance, and include:
- 25 days annual leave (pro-rata of fractional) including the option to purchase additional holiday days;
- 1 additional day’s holiday for your birthday (does not have to be used on your birthday);
- 1 additional day’s holiday for every 5 years served;
- Christmas Closure of up to 2 weeks in addition to annual leave entitlement;
- Access to a wealth of training, apprenticeships and funded higher education opportunities as well as dedicated training days;
- Local Government Pension Scheme Employer pension contributions of 18%;
- Subsidised fitness suite facility, onsite hair & beauty salon, access to a wide range of catering facilities, outdoor gym & free eyesight tests;
- Major supermarket and high street employee discount schemes;
- Life Assurance (if member of pension scheme);
- On Site Nursery (Mama Bears);
- Employee Assistance Programmes;
- Access to Blue Light Card membership;
- Discounted travel schemes.
Closing Date: 24 August 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Having read the job description, should you have any questions relating to the role prior to applying, please contact Matt via email at [email protected]
Please do NOT send CVs, we only accept applications via the relevant form on our dedicated recruitment website.
Please note that you will be required to be in possession of an Enhanced DBS Certificate or be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check as a condition of employment at the College.
This College is committed to Safeguarding/Prevent and promoting the welfare of students, including children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The College is committed to applying its Single Equality Scheme at all stages of recruitment and selection. Shortlisting, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, transgender status, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, colour, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion/belief, age, pregnancy or maternity leave, or union membership.
Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate the particular needs of any candidate who has notified us of a disability. This may include changing the timing or location of any interview to enable the candidate to attend, providing information in different formats or larger type, etc.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).
Working at South Devon College, you can expect access to an exciting range of training, apprenticeship and opportunities for degree level study alongside your work to keep you at the top of your game, as well as generous holiday allowance of 25 days pro rata and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
The staff at South Devon College are truly inspirational and this is a reflection on the whole College culture of continuous improvement and support for all of our students and communities.
We aim to provide our learners with excellent teaching and learning. Our staff are highly adept at working with and developing skills and knowledge in learners from different backgrounds. Our staff have consistently high expectations of all students and generate high levels of enthusiasm for participation in, and commitment to learning.
