At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to create delicious meals for personnel and special events.
- Company: Join ESS, a respected defence catering operation with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible shifts, and fantastic discounts on travel and groceries.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and wellness classes available.
- Why this job: Make an impact by delivering high-quality meals in a dynamic kitchen environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Head Chef and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 36000 € per year.
Location: Beachley Barracks
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (rotating shifts, 5 days over 7)
Salary: £36,000 per annum
Additional Hours: Occasional evenings and weekends during seasonal functions and events
About the Role
ESS is seeking a Head Chef to lead operations across two kitchens at Beachley Barracks. You will be responsible for delivering high-quality meals for around 30 personnel daily, with numbers increasing during seasonal functions and special events. As Head Chef, you will lead a small team of 3 staff, managing rotas, shift patterns, and daily kitchen operations to ensure smooth service and consistent delivery of nutritious, well-presented meals.
Meal Service Times
- Breakfast: 07:00 – 07:45
- Lunch: 12:30 – 13:15
- Evening Meal: 19:00 – 19:45
Shift Patterns
- Early Shift: 06:00 – 14:00
- Late Shift: 12:30 – 20:00
You will work a mixture of early and late shifts throughout the week, Monday to Sunday (5 days out of 7), with flexibility to support seasonal functions and special events.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, motivate, and develop a team of 3 kitchen staff, ensuring high standards of professionalism and teamwork.
- Oversee daily kitchen operations across two kitchens, including meal preparation, service, and presentation.
- Plan and manage staff rotas to meet service demands.
- Prepare, cook, and present a variety of dishes to consistently high standards.
- Deliver catering for seasonal events and special functions.
- Manage ordering, stock control, and minimise food waste.
- Ensure full compliance with all food hygiene, health, and safety standards.
About You
You are an experienced culinary professional with proven experience in a Head Chef or similar senior role. You thrive in a dynamic, small-team environment and have the ability to manage multiple kitchens effectively.
Key qualifications and attributes:
- Have previous experience in a similar role (essential).
- Hold relevant catering qualifications (desirable).
- Demonstrate excellent leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
- Be flexible and adaptable to meet operational needs.
- Be passionate about delivering high-quality, seasonal meals.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary: £36,000 per hour.
- Rotating shifts with early/late patterns for flexibility.
- Opportunities for additional hours during seasonal events.
- Supportive, team-focused work environment.
- A professional role within a respected defence catering operation.
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:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
Equal Opportunity Statement
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!
Head Chef in Chepstow employer: Chartwells Independent
At ESS, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and team-focused work environment at Beachley Barracks. As a Head Chef, you will enjoy a competitive salary of £36,000, flexible rotating shifts, and numerous opportunities for professional growth through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes. With a comprehensive benefits package that includes healthcare perks, travel discounts, and wellness classes, we ensure that our employees feel valued and empowered to thrive in their culinary careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Chepstow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your culinary contacts and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head Chef role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even host a tasting event. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to places you’d love to work at, like Beachley Barracks, and express your interest. A personal touch can make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing passionate chefs who are eager to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Chepstow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in the kitchen. Share specific examples of dishes you've created or events you've catered for. We want to see your passion for high-quality meals shine through!
Team Leadership is Key:As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a small team. In your application, mention any leadership roles you've had and how you motivated your team. We love to see candidates who can inspire others and create a positive kitchen environment.
Be Clear About Your Flexibility:Since the role involves rotating shifts and occasional evenings, it's important to express your flexibility in your application. Let us know how you can adapt to meet the demands of the job, especially during busy seasonal events.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with a variety of dishes and cooking techniques. Be ready to discuss your favourite seasonal ingredients and how you would incorporate them into the menu at Beachley Barracks.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a small team. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles. Highlight any specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them to ensure smooth kitchen operations.
✨Understand the Importance of Compliance
Brush up on food hygiene, health, and safety standards. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in past positions and how you plan to maintain these standards across two kitchens.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about managing busy service times or handling unexpected issues, like staff shortages or equipment failures. Think through your strategies for maintaining high-quality service under pressure and be ready to share those insights.
