Chef Educator Full Time NEW

Job Title: Chef Educator

Location: Lancashire, delivering across Preston, Blackburn and Blackpool.

Salary: £30,000 per annum.

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent.

Hours: 40 hours per week over 5 days, Monday–Friday.

Usual working hours are around 8:00am – 4:00pm, depending on school bookings, with some flexibility required.

Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

About Prept. Foundation:

Prept. Foundation is a children’s charity committed to inspiring a generation to live happier and healthier lives through food education. Our mission is to equip young people with essential life skills and a love for cooking that will empower them for the future.

Job Description:

We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Chef Educator to join our team. You will be instrumental in delivering the Prept Secondary School Food Education Programme, inspiring children through hands-on cooking and nutritional education. This is a unique opportunity to combine your culinary expertise with your love for teaching and making a difference in young lives.

This is a hybrid position based in schools in Preston and the surrounding areas with admin days worked from home. All travel expenses will be covered. Teaching will typically be 3 days a week with 2 days of administrative planning and/or team events.

The Prept team are currently predominantly based in Sussex and London, and this will be our first team member in Lancashire. We’re looking for someone confident working independently, comfortable being on the ground day-to-day on their own, and motivated to build something locally.

The role will require occasional travel to connect with the team, and during the first three months there will be more regular trips to London and Sussex to work alongside our current chefs and fully embed in the role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Educating Children: Deliver engaging sessions through the Prept Secondary School Food Education Programme in schools and our training kitchen at Plumpton College / other industry off-site locations.
• Cooking at HAF Providers: Provide food education and prepare hot meals during school holidays at Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) providers.
• Stakeholder Management: Communicating and building long-lasting relationships with key stakeholders such as school contacts, local councils, school sponsors and other organisations in education and hospitality.
• Ordering and session planning: Plan sessions in advance to fit the programme delivery for each school. Ensure all ingredient orders are placed correctly.
• Scheduling: Work closely with schools, teachers and the Prept team to set and maintain an annual schedule of sessions.
• Networking: Be able to research and connect with new industry stakeholders, schools, HAF clubs and other settings to foster relationships and expand Prept’s reach.
• Programme Development: Continuously refine and enhance the programme to maintain its relevance and impact.
• Team Collaboration: Liaise with other Prept chefs and volunteers to ensure consistency and excellence in programme delivery.
• Records and Reporting: Keep records of session delivery and spends that are accurate and up to date, reporting back to Founders and Trustees on delivery and stats.
• Event Participation: Represent Prept Foundation at festivals, fundraising events, and community activities to inspire and educate audiences.
• Food Safety management: ensure all sessions are delivered in line with UK Food Hygiene and Safety Standards and allergen controls are implemented correctly.
• Safeguarding: Work closely with Prept’s Designated Safeguarding lead and schools to ensure all staff, students and volunteers are safeguarded properly throughout Prept sessions. Attend training and keep up to date with Prept’s policies and procedures.

Skills:

• Passion for Food and Education: A genuine enthusiasm for cooking and inspiring children with essential life skills.
• Experience in Hospitality or Culinary Fields: A strong background in cooking or food education
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Confidence in delivering a range of sessions and engaging with diverse audiences including those with additional or behavioural needs.
• Organisational Abilities: Proficiency in managing schedules and keeping track of programme progress and delivery timelines in Microsoft Office Suite / CRM software.
• Self-Driven and Innovative: A proactive approach to improving the programme and addressing challenges. Comfortable working independently, managing your own workload, and travelling to different locations whilst maintaining high standards of delivery.

Requirements:

• Full UK driving licence.
• Daily use of own car with willingness and ability to travel daily.
• Space for session equipment storage at home.
• An enhanced DBS check will be carried out by Prept. Foundation.