ook / Chef - Bristol

Location: Bristol
Salary: £27,105.31 - £30,354.94 (£14.43 - £16.16 per hour)
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time, Term Time Only
Hours: 40 hours per week, term time only (41 weeks)
Working Hours: 6:00am - 2:00pm
Start Date: 1 December 2026

About the Role

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Cook/Chef to join a brand-new specialist school in Bristol, opening its doors in January 2027.

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a new school and play a key role in establishing its catering provision from the outset.

The school will provide a nurturing, inclusive and ambitious environment for children and young people aged 5-19 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. With a capacity of approximately 96 students, the school is committed to creating a safe, enriching and aspirational environment where every learner can thrive.

We are looking for a passionate and organised Cook/Chef to lead the school's catering provision, creating nutritious, home-cooked meals that support the health, wellbeing and development of pupils.

Your Role

As the Cook/Chef, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the school kitchen, ensuring pupils and staff receive high-quality, nutritious meals in a safe and welcoming environment.

You will play an important role in developing menus, maintaining exceptional hygiene standards and creating a positive dining experience, while working closely with colleagues, pupils and families to meet a range of dietary and sensory needs.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing, cooking and serving nutritious meals using fresh ingredients wherever possible
• Planning balanced and appealing menus that meet a range of dietary, allergen and sensory requirements
• Managing stock control, ordering and budgeting to ensure an effective and efficient catering service
• Supervising and supporting kitchen staff, including rota management, training and day-to-day guidance
• Building positive relationships with pupils, encouraging healthy eating and gathering feedback on menu choices
• Maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene, health and safety and compliance with catering legislation
• Working closely with pupils, staff and suppliers to ensure meals are nutritious, appealing and meet a range of dietary, allergen and sensory needs

About You

We're looking for someone who is passionate about creating healthy, home-cooked food and enjoys working as part of a school community.

You will have:

• Experience preparing and cooking meals using a wide range of fresh ingredients
• Knowledge of food hygiene, food safety and relevant catering legislation
• Experience managing stock, portion control and working within a budget
• Knowledge of special diets, allergens and nutritional requirements
• Experience supervising or supporting staff within a catering environment
• Excellent communication skills with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to maintain accurate records
• Knowledge of learning disabilities and/or additional needs and how these may impact catering provision

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SPENCER CLARKE GROUP

All applications are subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure, professional reference checks, Overseas Police Cleara