Head Chef - Reading

Up to £35,000 per annum (depending on experience) Monday to Friday role! We are looking for a talented, enthusiastic Head Chef for our dedicated catering team in Reading, producing outstanding food using the finest and freshest ingredients in this prestigious contract.

We connect workplaces to mindful, flavourful & planet-positive catering. At Eurest, we are the experts in workplace catering, operating in over 700 workspaces every day. We know that fuelling employees throughout the day can help to sharpen their thinking, nourish their bodies and minds and ultimately, motivate them to perform at their best. Our workplace food experiences are driven by our promise to live more sustainably and responsibly, working towards our goal of net zero by 2030.

If you are an innovative and creative Chef, passionate about using top quality fresh ingredients, and looking for a role which can offer both work life balance and career development - we want to hear from you!

• Services: Breakfast, Lunch Coffee Shop, Retail and Hospitality
• In a team of 8 with 3 direct reports with up to 300 customers on site
• Plan, organise, innovate and direct the preparation and cooking of food to ensure the company's reputation for quality is enhanced with customers and clients at all times.
• Drive ours and our clients sustainability mission to be net zero by 2030.
• Create a positive kitchen environment where your team feel welcomed, supported and developed.
• Focus on service execution and delivery excellence at all times.
• Drive sales through menu planning and promotions.
• Responsible for implementing and maintaining high levels of cleanliness, food safety, HS and COSHH within the kitchen.
• Maintain food monitoring procedures to facilitate budgetary control and monitor all costs involved in the kitchen against agreed budgets.
• Maintain the centre of excellence in food and customer service.

• Previous experience in a similar role in contract catering with hospitality and events
• Ability to successfully motivate and manage a team to deliver consistent standards
• Excellent and innovative culinary and presentation skills
• Passionate about all things hospitality with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Leads and inspires a team with a progressive mindset in developing people
• A clear understanding of profit margins, purchasing policy, budgeting and food costing.
• Stock and Waste control experience
• Understanding of food management systems HACCP, Food Safety, Health and Safety, Natasha's Law, Allergens and Manual Handling.

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Meal provided while on duty
• Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products
• Aviva Digi care - Free annual healthcare check
• Medicash - Discounted health cash plan providing cash back on a range of medical treatments including Dental, Optical and Consultant appointments for you and your family.
• Pension scheme and Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition awards including Be a Star peer recognition and Long Service Awards
• Exclusive Benefits & Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)
• Shopping discounts - Save up to 15% at high street and online stores by purchasing Shopping Cards
• On-going training & development and career pathways

We're people-powered at Eurest. It's an understatement to say that we're passionate about what we do, which is why we're committed to attracting the best and brightest people to join us - could that be you?

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive, because diversity is our strength!