Job description
Assistant Kitchen Manager
£34,000 | 40 hours | 5 days from 7 | One weekend off each month
Are you a passionate, hands‑on chef ready to take the next step in your career? Do you love fresh food, leading a team, and creating a calm, well‑organised kitchen where quality comes first?
This is a rare opportunity to join a respected independent school just outside Rugby, supporting the daily catering operation for a warm, close-knit residential house of around 60 pupils. If you're looking to grow as a leader while still staying close to the stove, this role offers the perfect balance.
This isn’t typical contract catering — it’s a chance to cook real food, work in a supportive environment, and enjoy a genuinely healthy work–life balance.
Why You’ll Love This Role
What You’ll Be Doing
What We’re Looking For
The Setting
£34,000 | 40 hours | 5 days from 7 | One weekend off each month
Are you a passionate, hands‑on chef ready to take the next step in your career? Do you love fresh food, leading a team, and creating a calm, well‑organised kitchen where quality comes first?
This is a rare opportunity to join a respected independent school just outside Rugby, supporting the daily catering operation for a warm, close-knit residential house of around 60 pupils. If you're looking to grow as a leader while still staying close to the stove, this role offers the perfect balance.
This isn’t typical contract catering — it’s a chance to cook real food, work in a supportive environment, and enjoy a genuinely healthy work–life balance.
Why You’ll Love This Role
- A stable, year‑round position with a consistent 40-hour week
- The chance to collaborate with the Kitchen Manager on menu creation and new dishes
- A friendly, supportive team of 4 chefs and 2 kitchen assistants
- A varied service offering: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the occasional special event or school celebration
- A well‑equipped, high‑quality kitchen environment where standards truly matter
- A leadership role where your ideas and influence will help shape the kitchen culture
What You’ll Be Doing
- Supporting everything from menu planning and ordering to daily service
- Cooking fresh, nutritious meals for approximately 60 pupils
- Upholding excellent food hygiene and safety standards
- Working closely with senior school staff to deliver an exceptional dining experience
- Bringing creativity, energy, and pride to every service
What We’re Looking For
- A confident, enthusiastic chef eager to step into management
- Experience leading or supervising a team in a busy kitchen
- A genuine passion for great food and consistent standards
- Willingness to complete an Enhanced DBS check
- School catering experience is beneficial but not essential
- Relevant food hygiene or cookery qualifications are welcome — but your attitude, leadership, and love for cooking matter just as much
The Setting
- A beautiful, prestigious independent school near Rugby
- Around 60 covers per service
- A mix of everyday meals and exciting one‑off events
- Supportive leadership and a strong, quality‑driven catering culture