At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen at Cicoria, delivering exceptional Italian cuisine and managing a talented team.
- Company: Join the Royal Opera House, a prestigious cultural institution in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, staff dining, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with excellent career growth and recognition schemes.
- Why this job: Shape a unique dining experience in a landmark setting with a renowned chef.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef with Italian cooking expertise.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 75000 € per year.
Set within the iconic Royal Opera House, Cicoria is an Italian restaurant and terrace bar created in partnership with Angela Hartnett. The food is seasonal, ingredient‑led and rooted in the clarity and restraint of Italian cooking, delivered with consistency, confidence and care.
We are looking for a Head Chef to take ownership of the Cicoria kitchen, leading restaurant service, terrace dining, pre and post theatre trade, and selected events in one of London’s most unique hospitality settings. This is a role for a chef who combines strong technical standards with calm leadership and commercial grip. Someone who takes pride in doing simple things exceptionally well, every time.
The Head Chef Role
- Lead the Cicoria kitchen day to day, taking responsibility for food standards, kitchen performance and team culture in a fast‑paced, high‑profile environment.
- Deliver food that reflects the standards and ethos of Angela Hartnett’s kitchens, with real consistency.
- Lead, develop and retain a strong kitchen team, setting clear expectations and holding people to them.
- Run a kitchen that can flex across busy restaurant services, terrace dining, theatre‑led peaks and event menus.
- Take ownership of food cost, labour, productivity, waste and overall kitchen performance.
- Work closely with the Senior General Manager, front‑of‑house team and wider Royal Opera House stakeholders.
- Maintain excellent standards of organisation, hygiene, allergens and food safety.
- Contribute to seasonal menu development, terrace offers and event menus within Cicoria’s established Italian style.
About You:
- You are currently a Head Chef, or a strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step into a bigger role.
- You have experience in a quality focused, high‑volume restaurant or hospitality environment.
- You understand ingredient‑led Italian cooking and have the discipline to deliver it with precision.
- You are calm, structured and organised under pressure.
- You are commercially aware and understand how food cost, labour and productivity affect kitchen performance.
- You are a confident leader who builds motivated, accountable and consistent teams.
- You are comfortable working with senior operators, front‑of‑house teams and partners across a wider venue.
Why This Head Chef Role Is Different:
This is a rare opportunity to lead a kitchen within one of London’s most prestigious cultural institutions. You will be working in a restaurant created in partnership with Angela Hartnett, with a clear food identity and high standards. The role brings variety, from restaurant service and terrace dining to pre‑theatre demand, post‑theatre trade and selected events. It is a platform to shape, develop and elevate a growing restaurant within a landmark London setting.
Our Head Chef Company Benefits
- Competitive salary + tronc, targeted earnings £70‑75k per annum.
- 33 days paid holiday.
- Staff dining provided daily.
- Employee dining discounts.
- Access to industry events and professional development opportunities.
- Central London location with excellent transport links.
We also offer:
- 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.
Apply if you are a chef who cares about great ingredients, calm leadership and doing the basics brilliantly, we would love to hear from you.
Head Chef - Royal Opera House employer: Compass Group UK & Ireland
At Cicoria, located within the iconic Royal Opera House, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values culinary excellence and team development. Our vibrant work culture fosters creativity and collaboration, offering competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and numerous professional growth opportunities in one of London's most prestigious settings. Join us to lead a passionate kitchen team while enjoying the benefits of a central location and a supportive environment that prioritises employee wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Royal Opera House
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, restaurant owners, or anyone in the industry. Attend culinary events or workshops to make connections that could lead to job opportunities. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even a video showcasing your cooking techniques. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen, especially for a role as dynamic as Head Chef.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to restaurants you admire, like Cicoria. Express your passion for their food philosophy and how you can contribute to their team. A personal touch can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends! Follow culinary blogs, social media accounts, and attend food festivals. This knowledge not only helps in interviews but also shows your commitment to staying relevant in the fast-paced culinary world.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Royal Opera House
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Italian Cooking:When you're writing your application, let your love for Italian cuisine shine through! Share your experiences with ingredient-led cooking and how you’ve delivered exceptional dishes in the past. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who truly cares about the food they create.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head Chef, strong leadership is key. In your application, talk about how you've built and motivated kitchen teams before. We’re looking for someone who can lead with calmness and confidence, so share examples of how you've managed a team under pressure.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; dive into the details! Mention specific achievements, like how you improved kitchen performance or managed food costs effectively. We want to know how your experience aligns with the demands of our busy restaurant environment.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and it helps us keep track of all applications. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Cicoria!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you’re well-versed in ingredient-led Italian cooking. Brush up on seasonal produce and how to highlight their flavours. Being able to discuss your favourite ingredients and how you would use them in the Cicoria kitchen will show your passion and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach. Think of examples where you've successfully led a team under pressure, especially in high-volume settings. Highlight how you motivate your team and maintain a positive kitchen culture, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with food costs, labour management, and productivity metrics. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed these aspects in previous roles. This will demonstrate your commercial awareness and ability to run a successful kitchen.
✨Be Ready for Menu Development Ideas
Think about how you can contribute to seasonal menu development and event menus. Prepare a few ideas that align with Cicoria’s Italian style. This shows your creativity and willingness to take ownership of the culinary direction of the restaurant.
