Culinary Lead

Job description

Culinary Lead (Education)

Contract: Education

Location: London, UB2 4HT

Hours of work: 37.5

Contract Type: Permanent

We are seeking a passionate food professional to lead food-focused educational initiatives across the ISS Ealing school contract, supporting 57 primary schools.

The successful candidate will combine expertise in food, nutrition, sustainability and hospitality with the ability to deliver engaging workshops, presentations and practical learning experiences that promote healthy eating habits among children.

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced chef and confident communicator who can work closely with schools, parents, clients, kitchen teams and operational colleagues to enhance food quality, support menu development, drive meal uptake and strengthen community engagement through food education and hospitality initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expertise on food service, sustainability and food production across the ISS Ealing school contract.
• Deliver food-related initiatives, programmes and training to primary schools, parents and kitchen teams.
• Support menu development and content, helping to drive school meal uptake.
• Develop client-specific menus, including three menu cycles, picture menus and front-facing menus.
• Collate menu feedback through client meetings, school councils and local cluster meetings.
• Support and expand the current hospitality offering through menu development, training and promotion of hospitality and staff meals.
• Deliver and support assemblies, workshops and educational events across all schools within the contract.
• Build positive relationships with clients, schools, parents and pupils while supporting communication and local community engagement activities.

Professional and Personal Competencies/Qualifications

• Educational background with a good understanding of food and nutrition.
• Sound knowledge of basic cooking techniques and food preparation.
• Experience delivering engaging workshops, presentations and interactive food activities.
• Passionate about working with children and creating positive learning experiences.
• Ability to promote healthy eating habits through practical and engaging activities.
• Strong experience within professional kitchen environments, including food preparation and menu planning.
• Confident and engaging presenter with excellent communication skills.
• Creative thinker with the ability to encourage participation and engagement.
• Experience coaching, training and supporting kitchen teams to improve food quality and share best practice.
• Ability to work collaboratively with area managers, nutritionists and hospitality teams.
• Must hold full UK driving licence (company van provided).

The Company

ISS is a world-leading workplace and facility management company, connecting people and places to make the world work better. Working with customers day by day, side by side, we understand every aspect of the user experience.

Through a unique combination of intelligent solutions, high standards and people who care, to help our customers achieve their purpose, whether it’s hospitals healing patients, businesses producing the next great innovation, or airports bringing passengers home to their families. ISS is committed to doing business the right way, taking its corporate responsibility very seriously. Our passion is people.

We offer you a challenging and exciting career in an organisation with people at its heart. In ISS, everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and make a difference. #Becomewhoyouwant, #Bepartofsomethingbigger,

#aplacetobeyou,

#facilitiesmanagement

ISS is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer.

ISS welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background.

We are proud to be a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award holder and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising our commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, and military families. Through our Joint Forces Programme, we provide mentoring and support to members of the Armed Forces community and their spouses as they transition into civilian careers.

We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 2) employer, proudly supporting and promoting inclusive hiring practices in line with the UK government’s Disability Confident scheme.

Our passion for inclusivity and diversity makes ISS a more creative, productive and happy place to work.

If you have any further queries regarding this role, please contact the Resourcing Team by emailing resourcing.team@uk.issworld.com

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Southall

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

09-08-2026

Profession type

Teaching / Instructors / Guides

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English