Community chef jobs
How's your job search on our site?
Coin Street Nursery is seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to join our friendly and dedicated team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who takes pride in creating fresh, nutritious meals from scratch and is committed to promoting healthy eating for young children.
While experience in a nursery or similar setting is desirable, it is not essential. We welcome candidates with strong catering experience in preparing meals at scale who share our values around nutrition and quality.
We operate a busy nursery, preparing meals for up to 80 children and staff daily. The successful candidate will be highly organised, able to manage their own workload, and committed to maintaining high standards across all areas of the kitchen.
We are proud of our 5-star food hygiene rating and our excellent standards of cleanliness. Maintaining health and safety, food hygiene, and compliance will be central to your role. Working within a set budget, you will also be responsible for effective menu planning, stock control, and food purchasing, ensuring meals remain fresh, healthy, and varied.
You will play a key role in meeting the diverse dietary needs of our children. A strong understanding of allergies, intolerances, and special diets is essential to ensure every child receives safe, high-quality meals.
You will be supported by a part-time kitchen assistant; however, you will retain overall responsibility for the kitchen, including end-of-day cleaning and organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and prepare nutritious, balanced meals for children and staff
- Manage kitchen operations, including ordering, stock control, and budgeting
- Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and safety
- Cater for a range of dietary requirements, including allergies and cultural preferences
- Lead and organise daily kitchen activities effectively
We are looking for a Head Chef who can demonstrate:
- A current Food Hygiene Certificate
- Significant experience preparing a wide range of meals in a non-domestic setting for large groups, ideally including young children
- Experience in menu planning, ordering, and stock management
- Strong knowledge of dietary requirements, food hygiene, and health & safety
- Good literacy, numeracy, and budget management skills
- The ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with colleagues and children
- A proactive approach to contributing to service development, including diverse and culturally inclusive menus
Creating an inspirational neighbourhood
We provide the opportunities and spaces for people to lead their own change.
Our activities are wide and far reaching. From giving families and children the best start in life through our childcare and family support, to creating and maintaining high quality live, work and play spaces on land which we own.
We promote enterprise, creativity and lifelong learning whether that’s through providing employment, volunteering opportunities, nurturing enterprise or delivering programmes and activities. We provide housing that supports our community; we champion co-operative housing and influence local and national housing policy.
From sports and dance to healthy eating and gardening, we offer a range of facilities and activities accessible to everyone to support health and wellbeing in our community.
In return, we can offer you:
- 35 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) pro rata for part time staff
- 8% contributory pension scheme (5% employer contribution, 3% employee contribution)
- Health and wellbeing support, including online mental health therapy sessions
- Free gym membership at Colombo, annual flu jabs
- Commitment to training and development
Contract
Permanent, 37.5 hours per week
Salary
£33,000 per annum
To Apply
To apply, please download and complete the application form. Once completed, submit your application via email. Please visit our website if you require more info.
Due to Safer Recruitment guidance, please note that additional documents, such as CVs, will not be considered.
Successful candidates will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check.
Closing Date
Please send your application by midnight on 21 June 2026
Registered Charity
51 - 100
As an organisation, we are passionate about creating an inspirational neighbourhood - powered by social enterprise.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Chef – The Granary at Caring For Life
Share great food. Serve with purpose. Be part of a Christian mission that changes lives.
At Caring For Life, everything we do flows from our Christian mission of servanthood, seeking to bring glory to God through the way we care for people. In our social enterprise restaurant, The Granary, that mission is lived out daily through excellent food, genuine hospitality, and a warm welcome that reflects the love of Jesus in a practical way.
We are looking for a Chef who is passionate about food, people, and purpose. Whether you are starting out in your catering career, building experience, or already working at Sous Chef or Deputy Head Chef level, this is an opportunity to grow your skills in a supportive environment where excellence and service go hand in hand.
Our aim is simple: to serve outstanding food, offer outstanding care, and create a place where every customer feels valued and welcomed.
Line Management
This role is supported and supervised by the Head Chef.
Role Purpose
To prepare and deliver high-quality food for customers of The Granary, while contributing to a team environment that reflects the Christian mission of Caring For Life through excellent service, care, and hospitality.
You will play a key part in maintaining high standards in food preparation, hygiene, and customer service, while helping to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all who visit.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and present dishes to a consistently high standard in line with recipes, dietary requirements and allergen procedures
- Support the kitchen team in maintaining excellent food hygiene, safety, and cleanliness standards
- Ensure all food is prepared, stored, and served safely and correctly, including regular date and quality checks
- Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organised kitchen and restaurant environment at all times
- Assist with soups, daily specials, and menu items, contributing ideas where appropriate
- Support special events, functions, and private bookings when required
- Work collaboratively with the Head Chef to develop new dishes and products, including promoting Caring For Life farm produce where possible
- Provide a welcoming and friendly service to all customers, including elderly and vulnerable visitors, creating space for conversation and care
- Take part in team prayer times and contribute to the spiritual life of Caring For Life as appropriate
- Where appropriate, share personal testimony of Christian faith in a natural and respectful way with customers, volunteers, or the wider community
- Occasionally assist in representing Caring For Life at church or supporter events
About You
We welcome applicants from a range of experience levels. You may be:
- Starting out in your catering career and keen to learn
- Building solid kitchen experience and looking to grow
- Already working at Chef, Sous Chef, or Deputy Head Chef level
You will be:
- Passionate about food and delivering high standards
- A team player with a positive and flexible attitude
- Committed to cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety
- Willing to learn, develop, and take responsibility
- Supportive of Caring For Life’s Christian mission
Training & Development
You will receive full induction and ongoing training, including:
- Food hygiene and safety (minimum Level 2 CIEH)
- Manual handling
- Health and safety procedures
- Ongoing in-house training and development opportunities
Place of Work
Crag House Farm, Otley Old Road, Leeds LS16 7NH
Hours
5 days per week working between Monday and Saturday, 9-hour shifts
The Granary is open Monday to Saturday (9am–4pm)
Weekend working on a rota basis is essential
Some evening work may be required for functions, this fairly infrequent
Annual Leave
30 days per year (including bank holidays, which may be required as working days depending on rota)
Other Information
Caring For Life is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Please go to the charity website to view the vacancies and then click to "enquire today". This role requires an assessment and interview. References will be sought prior to appointment, but only for the successful candidate at the job offer stage.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.