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Food Educator - HMP Spring Hill

Food Behind Bars
Edgcott, Aylesbury

Posted: 27 May 2026

Deadline: 11 Jul 2026

Compensation: £35,000 per annum (pro rata)

Paid Part-time Fixed term / contract

Job description

Food Behind Bars at HMP Spring Hill

This project is an ambitious initiative that aims to transform how food is grown, prepared and experienced at HMP Spring Hill. It is funded by a 3-year grant from The Rothschild Foundation. At the heart of the project is the restoration of the prison’s historic walled garden, which will become a productive space for growing fresh fruit and vegetables. Once fully restored, the garden will supply produce to the prison kitchen and create opportunities for prisoners to take part in meaningful work connected to food growing and sustainability. Alongside the garden, a new farm-to-fork training kitchen will be built within the walled garden grounds. This space will serve as a hub for food education, where prisoners will learn practical cooking skills using fresh, seasonal ingredients - including produce grown on site. The project will also focus on improving the quality of food served across the prison. Through training and collaboration with the prison’s catering team, we will support the development of menus that prioritise fresh ingredients, scratch cooking and nutritious meals.

Together, these elements will create a joined-up approach to prison food - connecting food production, cooking and education in one place. Our goal is for HMP Spring Hill to become a flagship example of what good prison food can look like, demonstrating how food can support wellbeing, build skills and create opportunities for people in prison. Job purpose We are looking for a dynamic and inspiring professional chef to come on board as our Food Educator at HMP Spring Hill, an open prison in Buckinghamshire. This role sits at the heart of an ambitious project to transform food production, food quality and food education within the prison. In the first phase of the project, you will work closely with the prison’s catering team to enhance the quality of food served across the establishment. You will deliver our Prison Food Education Programme - a practical and digital training programme designed to upskill and inspire catering teams. Through hands-on training, recipe development and collaboration with staff and prisoners, you will help embed a culture of fresh ingredients, scratch cooking and nutritious meals. Alongside this work, a historic walled garden at Spring Hill will be restored and a new farm- to-fork training kitchen will be built. As this space becomes operational, the focus of the role will gradually shift towards delivering a weekly cookery programme for prisoners. In this second phase, you will teach practical cooking skills, helping individuals gain confidence in the kitchen while learning about fresh ingredients, seasonality and healthy eating. This is a unique opportunity to shape a flagship project that brings together food growing, cooking and education. Working closely with prison staff, prisoners and the Food Behind Bars team, you will help create a food culture that improves wellbeing, builds skills and demonstrates what good prison food can look like.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the Prison Food Education Programme within the prison kitchen, working closely with catering staff and prisoners.
• Provide hands-on training and inspiration to improve cooking practices, kitchen organisation and food quality.
• Develop new recipes and support the catering team in enhancing menus with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Help embed a positive food culture within the prison kitchen, encouraging pride, creativity and collaboration.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of digital learning modules as part of the programme.
• Engage the wider prison population through food forums, tastings and consultation activities.
• Work closely with prison staff to ensure activities align with the prison regime and operate smoothly.
• Contribute to the evaluation and development of the Prison Food Education Programme.
• Support the transition to the new farm-to-fork training kitchen once it is operational.
• Design and deliver practical cookery classes for prisoners in the education kitchen.
• Teach essential cooking skills, nutrition and food knowledge to support independent living and employability.
• Utilise produce grown in the prison’s restored walled garden within cookery sessions where possible.
• Create an engaging and supportive learning environment where participants can build confidence and skills.
• Liaise with prison staff, partners and the wider FBB team to ensure the success of the programme.

Requirements Essential

• A passionate and experienced professional chef who wants to use their skills to make a meaningful social impact.
• A strong advocate for healthy, nutritious food and positive food practices.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to inspire and educate others.
• Confidence working with diverse groups of people in a structured environment.
• Ability to lead practical cookery training and deliver engaging educational sessions.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently while collaborating with a wider team.
• A flexible, solutions-focused mindset and the ability to adapt to a prison environment.
• Level 2 or Level 3 Food Safety certification.
• Commitment to the values and mission of Food Behind Bars.

Desirable

• Experience delivering cookery education or teaching practical food skills.
• Experience working with vulnerable individuals or people facing barriers to employment.
• Interest in food growing, sustainability or farm-to-fork food systems.
• Experience working within a social enterprise, charity or educational setting.

Application information

Please submit a CV and cover letter to judy@foodbehindbars.co.uk

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