Join the Team: Food Educator, HMP Thameside
We’re really excited to begin delivering our brand new Prison Food Education Programme at HMP Thameside this summer, and we’re looking for a fantastic Food Educator to come on board. The project involves delivering inspiring food education to both staff and prisoners. Scroll down to read the full job description.
To apply, please email your CV and cover letter to judy@foodbehindbars.co.uk.
Deadline for applications: Midnight on Thursday 8th May.
Job Title: Food Educator
Location: HMP Thameside, Griffin Manor Way, London SE28 0FJ
Hours: 2 x days per week, across 4 months
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Contract Length: 4 months
Remuneration: £35,000 pro rata
Start Date: July 2025 (subject to vetting and training)
About us
Food Behind Bars is the leading charity dedicated to transforming the food served in British prisons. We deliver a variety of services and projects at men’s and women’s prisons across the UK, including cookery classes, menu development, food growing, baking and butchery. Our activities cover every aspect of food, cooking, eating and hospitality. We work with prisons on a bespoke basis, co-designing original initiatives that enable prisons to champion wholesome, tasty and exciting food. Our work is shaped around each unique establishment and united by our philosophy of wholesome food for everyone in society.
Job purpose
We are looking for a dynamic and inspiring Food Educator to deliver our brand new Prison Food Education Programme at HMP Thameside, a Category B men’s prison in London. This is an education and ideas programme for the staff and prisoners who work in the prison kitchen. It involves both digital and practical modules, as well as access to a national prison food network. You can find out more about the programme here.
The programme has been designed to upskill and inspire catering teams through engaging learning modules and hands-on training. It will empower them to create kitchens that are a source of pride, joy and delicious food. It will enable them to pass on the skills they’ve learnt to the prisoners who work in their kitchen. And it will provide ongoing support, connection and ideas to ensure longevity and continued learning.
This is an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively with a prison kitchen to make a real difference to the quality and variety of food. Across 4 months, you will help the catering team enhance menus through new recipes and skills. You will be a source of support and inspiration for both staff and prisoners, embedding a positive food culture that will impact the health and wellbeing of Thameside’s population.
You will be responsible for leading the delivery of this programme at HMP Thameside, with support from the Chief Executive, the Head of Food Education and our network of freelance chefs and volunteers. The role is part-time (2 days per week) across 4 months, and we anticipate at least 1 x day per week will be prison-based.
This programme is currently in the pilot phase at HMP Bristol and the project at HMP Thameside will be the first stage of the roll-out. We are looking for someone ambitious and inspiring who has the ability to lead with courage, enthusiasm and an unwavering commitment to our core values of good food for everyone in society. You must be an excellent communicator with a passion for food and a desire to educate others. Likewise, we are looking for a solutions-focused individual who can operate effectively in this often challenging environment.
This is a unique opportunity to be part of our journey during an exciting growth stage and to make a real difference to some of society’s most vulnerable individuals.
Responsibilities
Deliver hands-on training and education in the prison kitchen as part of our Prison Food Education Programme.
Help implement and manage the delivery of the digital modules, including onboarding staff, monitoring their progress and providing support.
Support the FBB team with the design of the practical modules, to ensure they are as impactful, engaging and exciting as possible.
Develop recipes and work closely with the catering team to design new menus.
Support the catering team with effective organisation, team work and logistics.
Engage the wider prison population through food forums, tastings and other activities.
Liaise with prison staff to ensure the programme’s aims and activities are communicated effectively and that it has a prison-wide impact.
Support the senior FBB team on evaluation and impact measuring.
Work with the prisoners on their individual goals, adapting the programme to support their needs and requirements.
Liaise with prison staff to ensure classes run smoothly and work alongside the existing prison regime.
Assist the FBB team in promoting and developing the programme.
Requirements
A passionate and experienced trained chef who is looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact through food.
An advocate for healthy eating and positive food practices.
An understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals relating to food access, diet and wellbeing.
A positive can-do attitude and a desire to use their skill set to make a difference.
An ability to approach all situations with confidence, flexibility and an open mind.
Experience of previous cookery teaching is desired but not essential.
Previous leadership experience is desired but not essential.
Additional information
This is a short-term contract position which lasts for 4 months. There may be potential for the contract to be extended based on any future projects, but this is not guaranteed.
We expect at least 1 x day per week to be based in the kitchen at HMP Thameside. The remaining working hours are primarily home-based, with some hours potentially at our workspace in Covent Garden.
The successful candidate will have to go through the Ministry of Justice security clearance before commencing employment.
Subject to vetting clearance, the successful candidate will also have to attend induction training at HMP Thameside, as well as completing FBB’s own training.
HMP Thameside is based in Woolwich and is accessible via car or public transport.