If you're a CDP who's tired of late nights and weekend doubles, school catering offers something most kitchen jobs don't: reliable hours, term-time structure, and a genuine work-life balance.

We're working with a number of well-regarded school caterers across north and east Essex and we need experienced chefs de partie for temporary agency assignments, covering everything from short-term gaps to longer ongoing placements.

The role

You'll be working on a flexible, temporary basis across a variety of schools in north and east Essex, covering term-time shifts and, for some independent schools, occasional work outside of term too. You pick the shifts that suit you, work when you want, and we handle the rest. You'll need your own transport to get between sites, and flexibility with days and hours is essential.

What we offer

Pay rates between £16.50 and £17.31 per hour, depending on the client. Weekly pay, every Friday, as a temporary agency worker. You choose the shifts that work for you, with no pressure to take work you don't want. If you already have an Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, we can get you placed and earning quickly.

About us

Appetite4Work is a specialist hospitality and catering staffing agency rated 4.7★ on Google by the people who actually work with us. We're not a faceless app; we're a team that takes the time to match the right people to the right roles. We work across a wide range of venues and clients, and we're known for actually picking up the phone.

Before you apply

These are school-based temporary agency roles, so please make sure you meet the following before applying:

Enhanced DBS for the Child Workforce, completed within the last 12 months and registered on the Update Service (already on it? You could start straight away)
Happy for us to process a new DBS through Appetite4Work if required (we cover the cost of this!)
Own reliable transport to travel between sites across north and east Essex
Background in education, B&I, or similar volume catering environment
5 years of continuous, verifiable work history
Two professional references

How to apply

Hit the apply button to get started. It takes two minutes and someone will be in touch promptly.

Agency Chef | School Catering | North & East Essex | £16.50–£17.31ph | Start ASAP