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- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen team and create delicious, high-quality meals at Kew Gardens.
- Company: Join Company of Cooks, a leader in culinary experiences at iconic UK destinations.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, personal development, health support, and fun social events.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community that values craft, creativity, and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make an impact with your culinary creativity in a beautiful setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for food excellence.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are Company of Cooks, and we believe brilliant food and drink starts with brilliant people. For over 25 years, we've 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 a Head Chef to join our team at Kew gardens the orangery in London.
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Working Pattern: 40 hours per week - 5 over 7 days
Location: Kew gardens the orangery, London, TW9 3AB (Onsite parking available)
Key responsibilities:
- Oversee a daytime operation serving breakfast (10:00-11:30) and lunch (12:00-15:00 / 16:00 in high season)
- Deliver a food offer in line with a Farmer J-style concept
- Overall responsibility for managing a kitchen team of 6
- Ensure smooth day-to-day kitchen operations with meals provided
- To prepare and oversee all preparation of food to the highest standard
- To produce food in a timely manner to ensure smooth service
- To ensure all appropriate ingredients are available for the menus
- To develop and plan menus in line with client and customer expectations
- To be creative with menu planning, involving both client and customers
- To take pride in food quality and hygiene standards
- Provide feedback, support and coaching to the team
- Ensure the team has up-to-date COSHH and Food Hygiene training
What's in it for you?
Working with Company of Cooks has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we've developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Life assurance scheme
- Pension scheme
- Holiday allowance
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
- Family friendly support
- A holiday purchase scheme
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- Volunteering days
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers
Company of Cooks officially formed part of CH&CO Catering Group Ltd in 2020.
Head Chef - Kew gardens The Orangery in London employer: CH&CO
Contact Detail:
CH&CO Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Kew gardens The Orangery in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, especially those who might know someone at Company of Cooks. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to meet the team or during an interview, bring some ideas for menu planning or food concepts. It’ll show you’re not just about following recipes but also about bringing fresh ideas to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to talk about your leadership style. As a Head Chef, you'll be managing a team, so think about how you can inspire and support them. Share examples of how you've coached others in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our community at Company of Cooks.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Kew gardens The Orangery 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 you can bring our values of Craft, Creativity, and Community to life in the kitchen!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head Chef role at Kew Gardens. Highlight your experience in managing kitchen teams and any creative menu planning you've done. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we do!
Be Authentic: Don't be afraid to show your personality in your application. We value authenticity and want to know who you are beyond your culinary skills. Share your journey and what drives you in the kitchen!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of joining our team, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to see your application and get you on board to create amazing experiences together!
How to prepare for a job interview at CH&CO
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of ingredients and dishes that align with the Farmer J-style concept. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate seasonal produce into your menu planning, showcasing your creativity and understanding of quality food.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be managing a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past, focusing on your coaching style and how you ensure everyone is up-to-date with training like COSHH and Food Hygiene.
✨Emphasise Community and Collaboration
Company of Cooks values community, so think about how you can foster a collaborative environment in the kitchen. Share ideas on how you would involve both clients and customers in menu development to create a welcoming atmosphere.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect to face practical questions or scenarios during the interview. Think through how you would handle busy service times, maintain hygiene standards, and ensure smooth operations. Being able to articulate your thought process will impress the interviewers.