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- Tasks: Lead a talented team of chefs to create exceptional dining experiences.
- Company: Join Company of Cooks at the iconic Royal Opera House.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, personal development, and fantastic perks.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a vibrant cultural setting with creative culinary opportunities.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in culinary roles and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community with excellent career growth.
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 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.
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 in London 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 in London
✨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. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their focus on craft, creativity, and community. We want to see that you’re not just a fit for the role, but for our 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 serious about joining our team at the Royal Opera House.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Chef - Royal Opera House 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 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 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 make sure your skills and achievements are easy to spot. Use bullet points if it helps!
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 at The Royal Opera House.
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & Ireland
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of cuisine and menu styles that Company of Cooks offers. Be ready to discuss your ideas for menu development and how you can align them with client preferences and dietary requirements.
✨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, focusing on hiring, training, and staff development. Highlight your ability to foster a positive kitchen culture.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Brush up on your budgeting and financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed kitchen budgets in previous roles, controlled food costs, and ensured profitability while maintaining quality.
✨Emphasise Health and Safety Knowledge
Health and safety compliance is crucial in any kitchen. Be ready to talk about your experience with food safety regulations and how you ensure that your kitchen meets all health and sanitation standards.
