Head Chef

About the role<br><br>If the following job requirements and experience match your skills, please ensure you apply promptly.<br>Looking for a hospitality role that fits your life not the other way around?<br>HEAD CHEF<br>Edinburgh Academy Junior School, 10 Arboretum Road, Edinburgh, EH3 5PL<br>Christmas & New Year Off Every Year & Mainly Monday to Friday hours<br>Hours: 40 hours per week, MondayFriday, 7:00am3:30pm<br>Additional hours: Occasional weekend work for school events as required<br>Pay: £35,000 per annum<br>Contract: 52 weeks<br>Requirements: Enhanced PVG check required; full UK driving licence essential; own vehicle required<br>Build a Hospitality Career That Works Around You<br>At Sodexo and Edinburgh Academy, we believe hospitality careers should offer more than long hours and late nights. This role provides a structured working pattern with evenings and most weekends free, alongside time off at Christmas and New Year every year.<br>Join a forward-thinking, supportive environment where you can lead with creativity, deliver exceptional food, and maintain a genuine worklife balance.<br>The Role<br>We are seeking an experienced and driven Head Chef to lead catering operations at Edinburgh Academy Junior School. This is an excellent opportunity for a confident leader to take ownership of a busy kitchen, delivering high-quality food and service while inspiring and developing a dedicated team.<br>Key Responsibilities<br>Lead all aspects of kitchen operations, from menu planning to service delivery<br>Deliver high-quality catering and hospitality that consistently exceeds expectations<br>Champion a fresh food, from-scratch approach across all services<br>Maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and compliance<br>Manage budgets effectively, ensuring cost control and efficiency<br>Train, mentor, and motivate your team to achieve excellence<br>Oversee allergen management and ensure accurate communication at all times<br>Plan and deliver hospitality for school events and special functions<br>About You<br>Proven experience in a professional catering environment (essential), ideally in contract or large-scale catering<br>Strong leadership experience within a busy kitchen environment<br>Confident in managing budgets and using catering systems<br>Relevant chef qualifications (NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent)<br>Food Safety Level 2 or above<br>Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to perform under pressure<br>A positive, proactive, and motivated approach<br>Flexible, decisive, and able to inspire and lead a team effectively<br>What We Offer<br>Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package<br>Structured MondayFriday working pattern with worklife balance<br>Christmas and New Year off every year<br>Opportunities for career progression and development<br>A supportive, inclusive, and professional working environment<br>Additional Benefits<br>24/7 virtual GP and mental health support<br>Employee Assistance Programme (legal, financial, and personal support)<br>Sodexo Discounts Scheme for you, your family, and friends<br>Pension scheme<br>Learning and development opportunities<br>Cycle to Work scheme<br>Ready to Join Us?<br>If youre a passionate Head Chef who thrives on leadership, creativity, and delivering outstanding service, wed love to hear from you.<br>Safeguarding & Inclusion<br>Sodexo and The Edinburgh Academy are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. A satisfactory PVG check is required for this role. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and welcome applications from all backgrounds.<br>Apply today and take the next step in your career with Sodexo at Edinburgh Academy. xwzovoh <br>Please note: This role may close early if a high volume of applications is received.