At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented team of chefs to create exceptional dining experiences at the Royal Opera House.
- Company: Join Company of Cooks, a leader in culinary excellence at iconic UK venues.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, personal development, health support, and a great work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a vibrant cultural setting while showcasing your culinary creativity.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in culinary roles and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community with opportunities for growth and recognition.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 85000 £ per year.
We are Company of Cooks, and we believe brilliant food and drink starts with brilliant people. For over 25 years, we have been part of some of the UK’s most loved cultural destinations, from historic palaces and botanical gardens to buzzing galleries and performance spaces, running the cafés, restaurants, bars and events that bring these incredible places to life. Our values - Craft, Creativity and Community - guide everything we do. They shape how we work together, how we support our partners, and how we make each guest feel welcome. If you care about food, people and doing things properly, you’ll feel right at home here.
Wherever we are, we do more than serve. We bring places to life through food, service and creativity and we’re looking for an Executive Chef to work with us at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
Location: Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD
Salary: £75,000 - £85,000 per annum + amazing benefits and package
Working Pattern: 40 hours per week, 5 over 7
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded Executive Chef to manage a brigade of 45-50 chefs and kitchen team members with us. We are looking for a chef who is creative, passionate about restaurant and retail concepts as within the Royal Opera House we partner with Angela Hartnett to provide service in our terraced restaurant plus we also have a cafe and various event spaces on site that all provide F&B. We are looking for a leader to grow and develop our wonderful team.
Key Responsibilities
- Menu Development & Execution: Creating and implementing menus that align with client preferences, dietary requirements, and event themes.
- Kitchen Operations: Supervising all aspects of kitchen operations, including food preparation, presentation, and service.
- Staff Management: Hiring, training, scheduling, and evaluating kitchen staff. Managing a team of 40-50+.
- Budgeting and Financial Management: Managing kitchen budgets, controlling food costs, and ensuring profitability.
- Quality Control: Ensuring consistency, quality, and presentation of all culinary offerings.
- Health and Safety Compliance: Upholding all health, safety, and sanitation standards.
- Contract Compliance: Ensuring compliance with contract terms and conditions, including service level agreements (SLAs).
Required Skills & Qualifications
- Proven experience in a leadership role within a restaurant or hotel environment.
- Strong culinary expertise and knowledge of various cuisines.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
- Ability to manage budgets and financial performance.
- Strong understanding of food safety and hygiene regulations.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Excellent client relationship management experience.
Benefits
What’s in it for you?
- Personal Development and Training opportunities.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Pension scheme.
- Holiday allowance.
- Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion.
- Eye care.
- A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance.
- Family friendly support.
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders.
- A holiday purchase scheme.
- Volunteering days.
- Professional subscriptions.
- Recognition schemes and people awards.
- Long service awards.
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers.
Executive Chef - Royal Opera House NEW Company of Cooks Posted yesterday £85,000 per year Londo[...] in London employer: Chartwells Independent
Contact Detail:
Chartwells Independent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Chef - Royal Opera House NEW Company of Cooks Posted yesterday £85,000 per year Londo[...] in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, especially those who have ties to Company of Cooks or the Royal Opera House. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to meet with the hiring team, bring along some ideas for menu concepts or event themes. This will demonstrate your passion and vision for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your leadership skills. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team and handled challenges. We want to see your ability to inspire and lead!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our community of passionate food lovers.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Chef - Royal Opera House NEW Company of Cooks Posted yesterday £85,000 per year Londo[...] in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food and creativity shine through. We want to see how your culinary journey has shaped you and why you're excited about the role at the Royal Opera House.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in kitchen management and menu development. We’re looking for someone who can lead a large team, so share specific examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the perfect fit for our team at Company of Cooks.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Know Your Menus Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of menus that Company of Cooks offers, especially those at the Royal Opera House. Be ready to discuss your ideas for menu development and how you can align them with client preferences and event themes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Executive Chef, you'll be managing a large team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led kitchen teams in the past. Highlight your experience in hiring, training, and evaluating staff, and be ready to discuss how you foster a positive kitchen culture.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Brush up on your budgeting and financial management skills. Be prepared to talk about how you've managed kitchen budgets in previous roles, controlled food costs, and ensured profitability. This will show that you understand the business side of running a kitchen.
✨Emphasise Health and Safety Knowledge
Health and safety compliance is crucial in any kitchen. Make sure you can discuss your understanding of food safety regulations and how you've implemented these standards in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a safe and hygienic kitchen environment.
