Hospitality Head Chef

Summary

Oundle School is seeking an exceptional Chef to lead its hospitality delivery, from menu planning to food production to service.

Detail

The Hospitality Head Chef is responsible for hospitality events and service, from menu planning to food production to service. The role reports directly to the Deputy Executive Chef with an additional reporting line to the Hospitality & Events Manager. The role also supports the Catering Department by covering absence when required.

The Catering Department consists of approximately 115 staff who support all internal dining for 14 boarding houses (either in house or in joint dining rooms), the senior day house and the junior school, all hospitality events and the catering requirements for the external enterprise and lets business during School holiday periods. There is an expectation that shifts should be altered to oversee service in the evenings and outside of normal service periods, depending on the requirements within the hospitality department. A high degree of flexibility is required along with recognition that there will be weekend and evening working.

Oundle and Laxton Junior Schools have long been associated with the very best of modern independent education, especially boarding. The Schools take seriously their responsibility to pupils so that they can emerge as decent, open-minded adults; ambitious about what they can go on to achieve and contribute. Over 1400 pupils are on roll at the School, of whom 840 are full boarders. Academic results are steadfastly excellent.

A team of around 800 staff, both academic and support, ensure an education of the highest standard is in place across the Schools with the efforts of the whole team focused on this fundamental aim.

We are fortunate in our location at the heart of a beautiful market town. School and town are part of the same community and our pupils take their place within this community, not isolated from it. The town has a spirited cultural life, with an annual international festival, literature festival, and frequent performances of nationally touring shows at the School’s Stahl Theatre.

To be successful in this role you will have been awarded at least NVQ level 2 in Food Preparation and Production, Food Safety and Allergen Awareness with knowledge and awareness of health and safety regulations. You will need to demonstrate previous experience working as a chef, have a proven track record in providing quality food and be willingness to learn and adapt, with a focus on continuous development.

A positive, flexibly attitude with the ability to prioritise and organise workloads is imperative.

For full details of the responsibilities and requirements for the role including the benefits on offer and an overview of the School, please see the Job Description available below.

Full details of the role, including hours of work and salary, can be found at the "Job Description" link. If you are excited by this opportunity, please complete an application form before the closing date.

Please note CV submissions cannot be accepted.

Oundle School and Laxton Junior School are proud to be equal opportunity employers and we welcome applications from all. We aim to ensure that all applicants are provided with the same opportunities during the recruitment process, and we endeavour to comply with the duties placed upon us to make reasonable adjustments as prescribed by the Equality Act 2010. Should you need to request a particular adjustment to enable you to participate fully in the recruitment process, please ensure that this is made known, to the HR Department

Recruitment Agencies

The Corporation of Oundle School has an internal recruitment department, but where agency support is required, we will engage our trusted partners. Our adverts are intended to encourage direct interest from potential applicants, not recruitment agencies. Speculative CVs sent from sources other than directly from a candidate, will not be acknowledged or considered

Documents

• JD - Hospitality Head Chef, Sept 2026 PDF Document