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- Tasks: Lead a talented team of chefs to create and execute innovative menus.
- Company: Join Company of Cooks at the iconic Royal Opera House.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, personal development, and fantastic perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vibrant cultural setting with your culinary creativity.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and strong culinary skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community with excellent career growth opportunities.
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’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.
We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded Executive Chef to manage a brigade of 45-50 chefs and kitchen team members 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 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.
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.
- 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.
Additional Perks
- 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 employer: Compass Group UK & Ireland
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK & Ireland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Chef - Royal Opera House
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, especially those who have worked at places like the Royal Opera House. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to meet with potential employers, bring along a portfolio of your best dishes and menu ideas. This is your time to shine and demonstrate how you can bring their vision to life.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching Company of Cooks and their values. Think about how your experience aligns with their focus on craft, creativity, and community. Tailor your answers to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their culture too.
✨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 team at Company of Cooks.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Chef - Royal Opera House
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 your role as Executive Chef.
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 team of 45-50 chefs, 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 make sure your skills and achievements are easy to spot. This will help us see why you’d be a great fit for our team at The Royal Opera House.
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 get the ball rolling on your journey with Company of Cooks.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨Know Your Culinary Craft
Brush up on your culinary skills and be ready to discuss your experience with various cuisines. Prepare to showcase your creativity in menu development, as this role requires a strong understanding of client preferences and dietary needs.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience managing a large kitchen team. Highlight specific examples of how you've successfully trained, scheduled, and evaluated staff, as well as how you foster a positive team environment.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with budgeting and financial management in a kitchen setting. Be ready to discuss how you've controlled food costs and ensured profitability in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Executive Chef position.
✨Emphasise Health and Safety Knowledge
Make sure you can confidently discuss health, safety, and sanitation standards. This role demands strict compliance, so share your experiences in maintaining these standards and how you've implemented them in past kitchens.
