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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team, creating high-quality meals for service personnel.
- Company: Join ESS, part of Compass Group, serving the Defence sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career development, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while honing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Head Chef and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for career growth and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 £ per year.
Overview
🍽️ Head Chef – ESS (RAF Digby)
Location: RAF Digby, Lincolnshire
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week (Monday-Friday, 08:00-16:30)
Salary: £16.65 per hour
Additional Hours: Some evening and weekend work required to support seasonal functions and business needs.
About the Role
As Head Chef with ESS at RAF Digby, you will lead from the front in a fast-paced, professional kitchen serving around 70 service personnel each day. You’ll manage a dedicated team of 8, including 2 direct reports, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality, nutritious meals and an exceptional dining experience for all personnel on site.
Meal Service Times:
- Breakfast: 06:15 – 08:00
- Lunch: 11:30 – 13:00
- Evening Meal: 17:30 – 18:30
You will be responsible for menu planning, food preparation, and event catering — from daily service to special functions and banquets — maintaining the highest standards of quality, hygiene, and presentation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, motivate, and support a team of 8 kitchen staff, fostering a positive and professional environment
- Prepare, cook, and present a variety of dishes to consistently high standards
- Deliver catering for seasonal events, private functions, and formal dining — from buffets to silver service
- Engage directly with customers to ensure their dining experience exceeds expectations
- Manage ordering, stock control, and food waste reduction
- Maintain compliance with all food hygiene, health, and safety standards
- Oversee staff rotas and ensure smooth daily kitchen operations
About You
You’ll be a confident and experienced culinary professional who thrives under pressure and leads by example.
You will:
- Have proven experience in a Head Chef or Senior Chef role (essential)
- Hold relevant catering qualifications (e.g. NVQ, City & Guilds – desirable)
- Have experience delivering both buffet-style and silver service dining
- Possess strong communication and leadership skills
- Be organised, creative, and passionate about high-quality, seasonal food
- Be flexible and adaptable to support business and operational needs
Career Development
ESS offers structured Career Pathways and development opportunities through our Apprenticeship Executive Head Chef Level programme — helping you grow your skills, leadership capabilities, and future career within Compass Group.
We ensure you\’re rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- 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
About Us
Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.
Job Reference: com/1710/95080001/52768924/SU #Defence
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!
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Head Chef employer: Compass Group UK
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, whether it's through social media or local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨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.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. For a role like Head Chef at ESS, understanding their commitment to quality and service will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for.
✨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 ESS.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When you’re writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef. We want to see how you've led teams and delivered high-quality meals, so don’t hold back on those tasty details!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to read through the job description and match your skills with what we’re looking for. If you’ve got experience in both buffet-style and silver service dining, let us know! Personalising your application shows us you’re genuinely interested.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we love a bit of personality, remember to keep it professional. Share your passion for food and customer service, but also ensure your application is clear and concise. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
As a Head Chef, you'll need to showcase your culinary expertise. Familiarise yourself with the types of dishes you might be preparing and be ready to discuss your approach to menu planning and food presentation. Bring examples of seasonal ingredients you love to work with!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
You'll be managing a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership style during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've motivated your team in the past, handled conflicts, or improved kitchen operations. This will show that you can lead from the front.
✨Engage with Customer Experience
Since you'll be directly engaging with service personnel, highlight your customer service skills. Discuss how you ensure a positive dining experience and any feedback mechanisms you've implemented in previous roles. This shows you're not just about cooking but also about creating memorable experiences.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that test your problem-solving abilities in a fast-paced kitchen. Think about scenarios like managing food waste or handling a busy service period. Prepare to share your strategies for maintaining high standards under pressure, as this is key for the role.
