Chef Lead
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Yeovil, BA21 4DR |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 4 Sept 2026 |
| Closing date: | 4 Oct 2026 |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
Lead the future of commercial catering at Yeovil College. This is your opportunity to take charge of a thriving commercial kitchen, influence an exciting new catering offer, and help shape the next generation of hospitality professionals. As our brand-new Chef Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in the growth of our commercial catering operation at a landmark moment, with our commercial catering facilities moving into our flagship building, currently under construction as part of the College's£60 million campus transformation. If you're looking for a role where your ideas and passion for food will be recognised, this is the opportunity for you.
Working closely with the Commercial Catering Manager, you'll lead the day-to-day operation of our production kitchen, creating high-quality seasonal menus and delivering exceptional food for students, staff, visitors, conferences and commercial events. You'll drive innovation, develop exciting food concepts, and play a key role in growing the College's commercial catering operation. You'll also mentor learners in alive commercial environment, helping them build the skills, confidence and professional standards needed for successful careers inhospitality. Maintaining exceptional standards of food quality, customer service, food safety and kitchen operations, you'll help create a catering experience that reflects the ambition and excellence of Yeovil College. Join us and help shape an outstanding catering experience in our brand-new flagship facilities. Apply today!
What we're looking for:
• Experience leading a professional or commercial kitchen, delivering high-quality food and excellent customer service.
• A Level 2 (or above) Professional Cookery/Catering qualification and a Food Safety Certificate.
• Passion for hospitality, teaching and developing future culinary professionals
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills, with the ability to motivate others and manage a busy kitchen.
• Experience mentoring or supporting learners or young people in a practical kitchen environment (desirable).
• A creative, commercially aware approach, with a commitment to high standards of food safety and hygiene.
• Confident using initiative, managing workloads and working effectively under pressure
• Flexibility to support monthly evening events and occasional functions throughout the year.
What the college offers its staff
• Annual Salary:£25,179[FTE £30,966]
• Full time position, 37hours per week, Term time only
• Generous pension scheme of28.68%employer contributions
• Staff discount scheme with high street and online retailers
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• Employee assistance programme
• Free onsite gym
• Subsidised catering facilities
• Cycle to work scheme
• Access to free staff parking
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.