Assistant Chef

Role Introduction

Eton College has a vacancy for a full-time Assistant Chef, who has the enthusiasm and passion to join our incredible team. Our Assistant Chefs are key roles within the College, and have an important part to play in making the boys’ experience of College life as good as it can be. The successful post-holder will be responsible for supporting the Chef with Catering Services in the kitchen and pantry ensuring that boys are provided with nutritionally balanced meals and to deputise the Boarding House Chef on their day off.

As a member of the Boarding House community you will also have the opportunity to be actively involved in the life of the House, for example through involvement in boys’ sports, plays and musical productions. 

Our historic college dating back to 1400’s offers a unique place to work, steeped in history, set amidst beautiful grounds and just a stone’s throw from Windsor.  

Working Pattern

• You will be required to work 40 hours per week over 6 days, on a term-time only basis
• You will be working 40.6 weeks per year
• You will be entitled to 5.6 weeks per year of holiday. (You must use all your entitlement (including any lieu days) during periods of school holidays. If a bank holiday falls during a school term period, you will be required to work this day and you will receive an additional day’s holiday in lieu)
• Any remaining weeks, save as outlined in your annual leave provisions below, are deemed to be non-working weeks

Due to the needs of the school and the department, we may interview suitable candidates before the closing date. This job may also close early if a large number of applications are received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid missing your chance to apply.

Main Duties

• ​Preparation and service of meals including breakfast, chambers, lunch and supper and assisting the Chef in producing and serving these meals;
• Provide cover for the Chef when they are not on duty;
• Assist in the preparation and cook food for all meals for the boys, House Master, Dame and guests;
• Complete the daily food safety and allergen paperwork as required by Eton College Food Safety Management System and Food Hygiene Policy;
• Assist the Chef as required with ordering of food as required;
• Assist in the cleaning down of the kitchen and pantry each day;
• Support all aspects of production and presentation of service, having regard for delivering high standards of health and safety, hygiene, nutritional value and allergen control and ensure non-compliance is reported in your kitchen to the Catering Manager;
• Support the Catering for house functions to a high standard as required;
• Adhere to all parts of Eton College Food Hygiene Policy and Food Safety Management System;
• Attend all annual training as requested and required by law;
• Be flexible to work across the catering operation in the College as required;
• To work with the House Master, Dame and boys to increase the boy’s nutritional awareness;
• Undertaking any other reasonable duties to help facilitate the smooth running of the Boarding House catering services;
• Commitment to and promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion;
• All positions at Eton are classed as ‘regulated activity’ as per the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 guidance, therefore a good understanding of safeguarding procedures is essential;
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including but not limited to, completing safeguarding training as required, and ensuring any safeguarding updates issued by the College are read and understood;
• Understand and comply with procedures and legislation relating to confidentiality.

The Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate the following;

• Experienced Assistant/Junior Cook/Chef
• Qualified to Level 2 Professional Cookery and/or equivalent experience
• Level 2 in Food Hygiene Certificate
• Experience of allergen controls
• An understanding of Health and Safety legislation
• Clear understanding of Food Hygiene legislation
• Ability to co-ordinate and deliver event hospitality
• You have good verbal communication skills
• Have the ability to nurture a good working relationship with other departments
• You have good time management skills and the ability to prioritise your workload
• You are able to work unsupervised and use your own initiative

You may enjoy this role if you;

• Enjoy working as part of a team and you are happy to get stuck in and support your colleagues
• Have a flexible approach to work and a ‘can do’ attitude
• You have great attention to detail and take pride in your work – you’re keen to deliver the highest possible standards and you understand the impact your work has on boys who are away from home, especially boys who have recently joined the College and who are in unfamiliar surroundings

Benefits

Eton College offers a wide range of benefits, including an 11% employer contribution to your pension (with 4.9% employee contribution), Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced Maternity / Paternity scheme, a cycle to work scheme, subsidised lunches during term time, free or heavily discounted access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities and discounts at local retailers and businesses.

About the College

We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils by fostering perseverance, tolerance and integrity. We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

If you have any queries about the application process or any problem with submitting your application online, the Recruitment Team will be happy to help. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made or facilities provided to enable you to apply online, please do not hesitate to contact us on recruitment@etoncollege.org.uk so we can make adjustments accordingly. 

DISCLOSURE CHECKS

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to, reference checks with past employers, an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (including Barred List information), an online search and, where applicable, Prohibition checks. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form. Any information disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS. The College is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings (including those which would normally be considered as “spent” under the Act) must be declared, subject to the DBS filtering rules. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position at the College.

Eton College