Chef

Job description

The Opportunity

We are looking for a motivated and skilled Chef to join the kitchen team within Keele University's Catering Department. Our department delivers a wide range of services, from feeding students and staff in our campus outlets to providing catering for meetings, conferences, dinners, and wedding receptions-serving anything from 5 to 500 guests.

About the Role
The successful candidate will have experience working in commercial kitchens and be confident in all aspects of kitchen operations, including:

• Producing high‑quality dishes using standardised recipes.
• Working independently and taking responsibility for the day‑to‑day running of the kitchen.
• Managing stock control, deliveries, and monitoring food waste.
• Ensuring full compliance with health and safety, food hygiene, HACCP, COSHH, and all relevant legislation.
• Planning and coordinating their own workload, as well as directing Kitchen Assistants to meet deadlines and maintain high standards.
• Contributing to continuous improvement by sharing ideas, supporting menu development, and keeping up with current food trends.

The Benefits

The University recognises that its success depends upon the contribution and dedication of its talented staff. In return, we have a competitive benefits package available, including:

• Competitive rate of pay
• Generous annual leave entitlement with opportunities to purchase additional leave
• Excellent staff pension scheme
• Access to continued personal, professional and career development
• On site 'outstanding' nursery
• Discounted health & fitness facilities on site
• Cycle to work scheme (subject to eligibility)

The University is committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible.

The University

Keele University is renowned for its exciting approach to higher education, innovative research, beautiful campus, strong community spirit and excellent student experience. With a turnover in excess of £170 million, over 15,000 students and a total staff of approximately 2000, the University provides high quality teaching across a wide range of academic and vocational subjects and promotes world-class research. Further information can be found at https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/

Keele University values equity and diversity across our workforce and to ensuring our staff community is reflective of the diversity of our student population. In support of these commitments the University welcomes applications from individuals of Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds for all roles.

Please note this appointment is subject to medical clearance by the University's Occupational Health provider.

How to Apply

For further details regarding this vacancy, please click on either the word or PDF version of the attachments above.

Keele University employees wishing to apply should login to Employee Self Service and click on the 'View current vacancies' link.

For informal enquiries may be addressed to [email protected] Applications to this address will not be accepted.

Closing Date: 18 th October 2026