Job Description

Job Introduction

This role is based at Thames Ditton Infant School. Though you will only work during term time, you will be paid a salary every month including school holidays.


This role has a starting salary of 14,736.47 per annum for working 25 hours per week, 38.4 weeks per year (equivalent to 13.35 per hour, plus annual leave allowance).

Our Offer to You

Competitive salary Final salary pension Discounts on various services including food shopping Health and wellbeing support Employee Assistance Programme Full induction Term time only hours that allow for good work/life balance Training and development opportunities, including a Level 3 Food Hygiene Qualification.

About the Role

Using your passion, creativity and enthusiasm, you will inspire a team to produce an outstanding menu using fresh ingredients. In addition to using your flair and passion to create great dishes, you will record meal transactions, control and administer stock, order food and sundry supplies, and take responsibility for the day to day running of a smooth kitchen. Your main goal will be to provide school children with tasty, nutritious meals that help them develop healthy bodies and minds.


Customer service is at the front and centre of the Twelve15 Vision and Mission. You will be a fantastic communicator with an ability to work with our school clients and our customers to promote the benefits of the service we offer.

Your Application

Your application should evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:

A passion and skill for cooking with an ability to deliver high levels of meals in a food production environment Health and Safety Certificate Level 1, and proven understanding of health and safety in a kitchen environment Level 2 Food Safety Certificate NVQ Level 2 in food preparation and cooking or equivalent IT and administrative skills Excellent communication skills (including teamwork, leadership, and customer service) Experience supervising staff and managing a kitchen Experience using catering equipment and the ability to train others Excellent time keeping and flexibility around locations.

We'd also love to hear about any other relevant skills, interests, or knowledge that you could bring to the table. Perhaps you have detailed knowledge about allergies, or a particular interest in nutrition. Additionally, if you don't hold these qualifications but have a significant amount of experience catering for large groups of people in a management role, please don't hesitate in applying!


To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

Why do you think eating healthily is so important for children and what is the impact of a healthy school meal for children? Please tell us about your experience of working in a kitchen, including the part you played in the production of food. What experience do you have supervising / managing staff responsible for producing large quantities of food? Please list any skills and qualifications you have that are relevant to this role.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.


Left with some questions or want to discuss the role of Trainee Chef Manager further? Please get in touch by emailing recruit.twelve15@surreycc.gov.uk.


The job advert closes at 23:59 on 29th January 2026 with interviews to follow.


We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.


Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

Our Commitment

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.


Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.