At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented kitchen team and create outstanding dishes with fresh ingredients.
- Company: Join Compass, a leading food service company with a focus on people.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, discounts, wellness classes, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values your unique talents and growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic kitchen while growing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Proven culinary skills, leadership experience, and a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
- Free meals
- Onsite parking
- 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
- Working 5 out of 7 days
Looking for your next step… Join a growing catering team as the new Head Chef.
If you want to support the growth and development of the catering department then this role is for you.
We are seeking an ambitious Head Chef to lead our food and hospitality offer, driving operational excellence, culinary innovation, and student engagement across the Universities four campuses.
Why Join Us
We believe in recognising and rewarding your contribution. Our comprehensive benefits package includes (but is not limited to):
- On-site parking
- Free meal on shift
- Contributory pension scheme
- Career development through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Digital GP access and healthcare support for you and your immediate family
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and more
- Grocery discounts with major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets
- Cashback rewards on a wide range of brands
- Free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- Share your discounts with family and friends
The Role
This is a key leadership role, responsible for shaping and delivering the catering and hospitality vision. You will lead your team to provide exceptional daily service across the campus outlets and a rich hospitality calendar that includes formal dinners and celebrations.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leadership: Inspire and develop the kitchen team to deliver an exceptional food and service experience for all staff and students, ensuring it’s fresh vibrant and taps in to industry and market trends.
- Commercial Excellence: Deliver financial targets within the kitchen, identify opportunities for innovation and efficiency, and ensure both operational and commercial success is achieved.
- Innovation & Engagement: Work with the Marketing Manager and Contract Director to develop and deliver an exciting engagement plan to include pop-ups, interactive cooking sessions and events. Drive student engagement through these, feedback forums, and student committees to ensure the offer evolves with their needs.
- People Development: Recruit, train, and inspire talented individuals, creating and embedding a culture of pride, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
- Operational Excellence: Uphold the highest standards of health & safety, compliance, food quality and service, ensuring every meal reflects the high standards expected.
About You
You will bring proven experience of leading a team, ideally within education, hospitality, or a similar sector. Commercially astute and operationally excellent, you will have:
- A strategic mindset with the ability to deliver day-to-day excellence while shaping long-term vision.
- A genuine passion for food and service, with the ability to elevate the everyday into something special.
- Influential leadership skills, able to inspire others.
- Business management within a kitchen environment, working to budgets, targets and deadlines.
- Flexibility, resilience, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, community-focused environment.
About Us
As part of Compass you\'ll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK\'s biggest businesses.
Job Reference: com/1711/96314001/52765651/R/SU #Universities & Colleges
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 - Worcester employer: Chartwells
As a Head Chef at our Worcester location, you'll be part of a dynamic team within the world's leading food service and facilities management company, where your culinary talents will be celebrated and nurtured. We offer an extensive benefits package, including free meals, onsite parking, and access to exclusive discounts, alongside robust career development opportunities through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes. Join us in a supportive work culture that values diversity and empowers you to thrive while delivering exceptional food experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Worcester
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Chartwells. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Chartwells
Don't be shy about reaching out to Chartwells directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Worcester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Chartwells and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
