Lodestone House
School Head Chef - Uppingham
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
We Ensure You're Rewarded For All Your Hard Work, Which Is Why We Offer a Comprehensive Benefits Package Which Includes But Is Not Limited To:
- Paid overtime (£2-3k)
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
- Working 5 days out of 7
Head House Chef (Boarding House) – Uppingham School
Job Title
Head House Chef – Boarding House
Reporting To
Group Executive Chef, Contract Director, Deputy Contract Director
Location
Uppingham School, Rutland
Job Purpose
The Head House Chef is responsible for leading the catering operation within a designated boarding house, delivering exceptional food and hospitality to pupils and staff. The role focuses on creating a welcoming and inclusive dining environment that supports pupil wellbeing, promotes healthy eating habits, and enhances the boarding experience.
The Head House Chef will have overall responsibility for menu planning, food production, financial performance, stock management, compliance, and team leadership, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, customer service, food safety, and operational excellence are consistently achieved.
As the culinary leader within the boarding house, the Head House Chef will work closely with House Staff, Catering Leadership, and the wider School community to deliver a catering provision that reflects the values and standards of Uppingham School.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Team Management
- Lead, motivate, and develop the boarding house catering team.
- Manage the day-to-day running of the boarding house kitchen and dining operation.
- Ensure team members are appropriately trained, supported, and developed.
- Conduct regular performance conversations and support continuous professional development.
- Plan staffing requirements and rota arrangements to meet operational needs.
- Promote a positive, professional, and collaborative working culture.
- Act as the culinary lead and first point of contact for all catering matters within the boarding house.
Food Preparation and Service
- Plan, prepare, and oversee the delivery of breakfast, supper, weekend catering, and special event catering for boarding pupils and staff.
- Ensure all dietary requirements, allergies, medical needs, cultural preferences, and religious requirements are catered for safely and effectively.
- Maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, flavour, and service.
- Introduce seasonal menus and initiatives that encourage healthy eating and pupil engagement.
- Lead and support house events, themed dining experiences, open days, celebrations, and hospitality functions.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Financial and Commercial Management
- Manage food purchasing and stock control within agreed budgets.
- Monitor food costs and take responsibility for achieving budgetary targets.
- Ensure effective stock rotation and minimise food waste through careful planning and forecasting.
- Review consumption trends and adapt menus and purchasing accordingly.
- Ensure all purchasing activities comply with School and company procurement procedures.
- Seek opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining food quality and service standards.
Kitchen Operations
- Oversee all daily kitchen and food service operations within the boarding house.
- Monitor deliveries and ensure correct storage and handling of food products.
- Maintain appropriate stock levels to support service requirements.
- Ensure kitchen equipment is maintained and reported for repair when required.
- Drive continuous improvement in kitchen systems, standards, and working practices.
- Ensure the boarding house kitchen remains inspection and audit ready at all times.
Health, Safety and Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with Food Safety legislation, HACCP procedures, allergen regulations, and company policies.
- Maintain outstanding standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety throughout all kitchen and storage areas.
- Complete and oversee all required food safety records, audits, and compliance documentation.
- Adhere to all School safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety, and security procedures.
- Lead allergen management processes and ensure all team members understand and follow procedures.
- Conduct regular checks and reviews to maintain a safe working environment.
Boarding Community Engagement
- Build strong relationships with pupils, House Staff, parents, and colleagues.
- Create a welcoming dining environment that contributes positively to the boarding experience.
- Encourage pupil participation and gather regular feedback on menus and food service.
- Respond proactively to feedback and identify opportunities to enhance the catering offer.
- Promote healthy eating, wellbeing, and sustainability initiatives within the boarding house.
- Act as a positive ambassador for Uppingham School and Lodestone House.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications And Experience
- Professional Cookery Qualification (NVQ Level2/3, City & Guilds, or equivalent).
- Significant experience as a chef within education, hospitality, contract catering, or a residential environment.
- Experience managing a kitchen operation, including food ordering, stock control, and budgeting.
- Strong understanding of allergen management and specialist dietary requirements.
- Excellent knowledge of food safety legislation, HACCP, and best practice.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Essential Skills And Attributes
- Proven leadership and people management skills.
- Passion for producing fresh, nutritious, and high-quality food.
- Strong organisational and planning abilities.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
- Commercial awareness and budget management capability.
- Flexible, proactive, and solutions-focused approach.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Desirable
- Experience working within an independent school or boarding environment.
- Food Safety Level 3 qualification.
- Experience of managing catering teams.
- Experience delivering hospitality and special events.
- Knowledge of sustainable and seasonal food sourcing.
- Understanding of adolescent nutrition and wellbeing.
Hours of Work
The role will involve a flexible working pattern to meet the needs of the boarding house, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional special events.
Safeguarding Statement
Uppingham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory pre-employment screening in accordance with statutory guidance.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Pension scheme
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Meals during duty periods
Why Join Us?
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced and passionate chef to lead a unique boarding house catering operation, shaping the daily dining experience of pupils and contributing directly to the wellbeing, community spirit, and success of one of the UK's leading independent schools. The role offers genuine autonomy, leadership responsibility, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact within a vibrant boarding environment.
About Us
As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Job Reference: com/0709/43946001/52831602/SU #Lodestone House
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London