Apprentice Chef
Full Time
St Edmund Hall is seeking an Apprentice Chef to join our friendly and professional kitchen team. This is an exciting opportunity to work across a range of kitchen sections, assist with high-quality meal preparation for students, Fellows, staff, and guests, and gain valuable experience in catering for events from formal dinners to conferences and weddings.
The successful candidate will work towards a Commis Level 2 Hospitality & Catering Apprenticeship at Oxford City College (attendance one day per week), receive on-the-job training and mentoring, and have the potential to progress to a full-time Commis or Demi Chef role upon completion of the apprenticeship.
You will have a passion for food and cooking, a willingness to learn and the ability to work as part of a very cohesive team.
In return, we offer good development opportunities to broaden your skills plus a comprehensive benefits package as follows:
- A free meal whilst on duty.
- Excellent annual leave entitlement (up to 38 days per year).
- Subsidised bus pass loans, season ticket loans and cycle scheme loans.
- Access to the College’s employee assistance programme (a 24-hour telephone and online advisory and counselling service).
- Discount in University shops, free entry to other colleges and libraries, discounted computer software from the University Computing Service, free access to the Botanical Gardens and Harcourt Arboretum and discounted membership of the University’s gym and pool.
- Free annual flu vaccination.
The post is eligible for membership of the Oxford Staff Pension Scheme (OSPS) which provides income when you retire plus sickness and life assurance benefits. Further details can be found at https://finance.admin.ox.ac.uk/pensions.
We are a very sociable team and arrange various staff events throughout the year including quizzes, a summer BBQ, a Christmas event and more. A uniform will be provided.
Application Process
Interested applicants should forward the following documents:
- A completed Application Form;
- A covering letter, which explains how you meet the selection criteria for the post.
Documents should be sent preferably by email to recruitment@seh.ox.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is 09:00 on Friday, 5 December 2025. Postal Applications should be sent to the HR Manager, St Edmund Hall, Queen’s Lane, Oxford, OX1 4AR. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Informal enquiries about the post should be directed to the Head Chef at daniel.field@seh.ox.ac.uk.
The expected start date is Monday, 5 January 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Equality of Opportunity
The Equal Opportunities policy of the College requires that all staff are offered equal opportunities within employment. Entry into employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria related to the post. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant will be treated less favourably than another because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Applications are particularly welcome from women and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in Chef posts in Oxford.
Recruitment Monitoring
Please consider completing the online Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form. Submission of this form is voluntary and does not form part of the selection process, but we would be grateful if you are willing to return it with your application to assist us with our equal opportunity monitoring. A paper copy can be obtained here or by emailing human.resources@seh.ox.ac.uk.