Career guides / Careers in catering

10 employers, including councils and schools, are seeking catering staff across the UK.

Types of catering roles in the UK

Schools are the largest employers of catering staff in the UK public sector, with many roles following term-time patterns. Roles range from kitchen assistants carrying out basic preparation and serving tasks through to cooks responsible for producing full menus, and catering managers overseeing multiple sites.

The most common job titles advertised on Jobs Go Public for catering staff include:

• Catering Assistant
• Kitchen Assistant
• Chef / Cook
• Catering Supervisor
• Caterer (Prison)
• Catering Manager / Chef Manager
• Relief / Casual Catering Staff

Salary overview for catering jobs in the UK

Salaries for catering roles vary by employer type and location. Bands in catering are more compressed, reflecting the typical shift patterns for roles in schools.

Part-time and term-time patterns are a draw for many job seekers, offering flexibility for working parents.

Typical average salary ranges in 2026:

• Entry level: £25,525 - £26,718 per year
• Mid-level: £25,786 - £27,434 per year
• Senior level: £27,711 - £30,086 per year

FAQs about catering careers

What is a catering job?

A catering job involves preparing and serving food within an organisation. In the public sector, most catering roles are based in schools, where you'll be preparing breakfasts and school meals for pupils. You might also find catering positions in council care homes, civic buildings, prisons, and day centres.

Common duties include food preparation, cooking, serving, stock management, and maintaining kitchen hygiene standards. Roles range from catering assistants and kitchen assistants to cooks, supervisors, and catering managers. Many positions are part-time and follow term-time working patterns, making them well-suited to people looking for flexible hours.

How much do catering jobs pay?

Pay for public sector catering roles typically starts at around £13 per hour for catering assistants and kitchen assistants. Cooks and kitchen supervisors generally earn slightly more, while catering managers can earn £39,000–£43,000 full-time equivalent.

Bear in mind that many school-based catering roles are part-time and pro-rata, so advertised annual salaries may appear lower than the equivalent hourly rate suggests. Most positions also come with access to the Local Government Pension Scheme and benefits such as staff discounts. Browse catering jobs on Jobs Go Public to see current salaries in your area.

Is catering a good job?

Public sector catering can be a rewarding career, particularly if you enjoy working with food and being part of a team. School-based roles are especially popular because they often follow term-time working patterns, meaning you get school holidays off.

Most positions also come with public sector benefits, including the Local Government Pension Scheme, sick pay, and staff discounts. On Jobs Go Public, around two-thirds of catering vacancies are part-time, making it a strong option for people seeking work that fits around other commitments. There are also clear progression routes from assistant roles through to cook and management positions.

What jobs can you get with hospitality and catering?

In the public sector, hospitality and catering skills open doors to a range of roles. The most common are catering assistant, kitchen assistant, cook, and catering supervisor—particularly in schools, where the vast majority of vacancies are based.

Beyond day-to-day food preparation, you could move into catering management, overseeing menus, budgets, and kitchen teams across multiple sites. Some councils also recruit for breakfast club assistants, relief caterers, and events and hospitality roles within civic buildings.

Prisons are another employer, recruiting cooks and kitchen supervisors through HM Prison and Probation Service.

What qualifications do I need to be a caterer?

Many entry-level catering roles, such as catering assistant or kitchen assistant, don't require formal qualifications. This makes them accessible to people starting out or changing career. However, a food hygiene certificate (Level 2) is commonly requested and sometimes essential.

On Jobs Go Public, food hygiene is mentioned in nearly half of all catering vacancies. For cook and supervisor roles, employers often look for an NVQ in catering or a City & Guilds qualification, and Level 3 food safety is valued for senior positions. On-the-job training is widely available, and many councils fund qualifications for existing staff.