Food Technician | Secondary School in Hackney

Food Technology & Culinary Arts Technician Location: Hackney Ofsted Rating: Outstanding School Type: Secondary School & Sixth Form (Co-educational) Contract: Full-Time, Term-Time Only + 1 Week (36 hours per week) An Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ secondary school in the vibrant, creative London Borough of Hackney is seeking a well-organized, health-and-safety conscious, and culinary-minded Food Technician to join their Design & Technology / Hospitality faculty. This is a fantastic opportunity for a dedicated support professional, whether an experienced school food technician, a hospitality/catering professional transitioner, or a culinary arts graduate, to play a vital role in enabling safe, hygienic, and inspiring practical food technology education. About the Role As a Food Technician, you will be the operational backbone of the Food Technology department. Working alongside specialist teaching staff, you will oversee practical room logistics, maintain commercial-grade kitchen hygiene, manage ingredients stock and equipment inventory, and support students across Key Stages 3, 4 (GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition), and Key Stage 5 (Hospitality & Catering) as they master culinary techniques, nutrition science, and food safety. Start Date: Immediate or upcoming term Environment: A flagship Inner London secondary school celebrated for academic excellence, creative innovation, and state-of-the-art culinary teaching facilities Culture: A welcoming, energetic, and collaborative department where practical skill, food education, and student safety are prioritized Key Responsibilities Practical & Kitchen Preparation: Measure, weigh, and prep ingredients; assemble cookery stations, utensils, and specialized equipment prior to practical lessons and practical examinations. Hygiene & Safety Management: Maintain immaculate standards of food hygiene and sanitation across kitchen suites and prep rooms, upholding strict adherence to Environmental Health, COSHH, and Food Safety regulations. Inventory & Stock Control: Oversee grocery purchasing and deliveries, monitor ingredient shelf life, manage rotation and storage (chilled, frozen, dry), and assist with stock reconciliations and budget tracking. Equipment Care & Maintenance: Regularly inspect, clean, sanitize, and test kitchen appliances (ovens, hobs, food processors, mixers); report faults and coordinate specialist servicing when necessary. Classroom & Demonstration Support: Provide hands-on technical guidance to students during practical cookery sessions, assisting with recipe execution, knife safety, hygiene compliance, and station clearing. Requirements Relevant qualification or certification in Food Safety & Hygiene (e.g., Level 2 or Level 3 Award in Food Safety in Catering) or equivalent practical catering/culinary experience. Prior experience in a food technician role, commercial kitchen, catering environment, or practical educational support setting. Thorough understanding of kitchen health and safety protocols, food allergy awareness, HACCP principles, and safe storage/handling procedures. Outstanding organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to multitask smoothly in a dynamic practical learning environment. Strong communication skills, patience, and a helpful, proactive approach when supporting young people in practical culinary tasks. Salary & Benefits Pay Scale: Inner London Support Staff Scale (commensurate with technical experience, pro-rata for term-time plus 1 week). Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), generous holiday pro-rata allowance, funded food hygiene and health & safety training/certifications, and access to school staff wellbeing initiatives. How to Apply If you are an organized, hygiene-focused culinary professional eager to deliver outstanding technical support at a top-performing secondary school in Hackney, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your application as soon as possible for consideration.