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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team, creating high-quality meals for service personnel.
- Company: Join ESS, part of Compass Group, serving the defence sector with pride.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, free meals, gym access, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef is essential.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for overtime and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 38000 £ per year.
Location: HMS Excellent, Portsmouth
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week (Monday-Friday, rotating early and late shifts)
Salary: £33,721 per annum
Additional Hours: Occasional evenings and weekends required to support seasonal functions and business needs.
About the Role
As Head Chef with ESS at HMS Excellent, you’ll lead from the front in a busy, high-volume kitchen serving around 200 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 across all meal services. You’ll oversee menu planning, food preparation, and event catering — from daily service to formal dinners, private functions, and seasonal events — while maintaining the highest standards of quality, hygiene, and presentation.
Meal Service Times:
- Breakfast: 06:30 - 08:15
- Lunch: 11:30 - 13:30
- Evening Meal: 18:30 - 19:30
- Bar Service: 19:45 - 21:00
You’ll work a rotating shift pattern of early (06:00-13:30) and late (13:30-21:00) shifts, Monday to Friday, with opportunities for overtime during special functions and events.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, motivate, and develop a team of 8 kitchen staff, fostering a positive, professional working environment.
- Prepare, cook, and present a variety of fresh, high-quality dishes to consistently high standards.
- Deliver catering for seasonal events, private functions, and formal dining — from buffets to silver service.
- Engage directly with customers and service personnel to ensure satisfaction and exceed 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 day-to-day kitchen operations.
About You
You’re a confident and experienced culinary professional who leads by example and thrives in a structured, team-focused environment. You take pride in producing great food, leading a motivated team, and managing the demands of a dynamic kitchen.
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.
- Demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
- Be creative, adaptable, and passionate about producing high-quality, seasonal dishes.
- Be flexible and proactive in supporting business and operational needs.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary (£33,721 per annum)
- Free meal provided on shift.
- Uniform supplied.
- Access to an on-site gym.
- Opportunities for overtime during functions and events.
- A supportive, professional environment within a respected defence catering operation.
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.
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!
Head Chef in Portsmouth employer: Compass Group UK
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Get your chef's whites ready and make sure you look the part! When you walk into that interview, your appearance should scream professionalism. A tidy, well-presented look shows you take pride in your work, which is crucial in a kitchen environment.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills before the big day! If there's a chance you'll be asked to demonstrate your culinary prowess, be prepared to whip up something delicious on the spot. Show off your creativity and ability to handle pressure in a busy kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your experience; share specific examples! When discussing your past roles, highlight how you led your team, managed high-volume services, or tackled challenges. This will help us see how you can bring that expertise to our kitchen at HMS Excellent.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, don’t forget to ask questions! Show us you're genuinely interested in the role by asking about the team dynamics, menu planning, or upcoming events. It’s a great way to engage and demonstrate your enthusiasm for joining our crew.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in leading a kitchen and preparing high-quality dishes. We want to see your passion for food and how you can bring that to our team!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the Head Chef role. Mention your leadership style and how you motivate your team, as this is key for us.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
As a Head Chef, you'll be expected to oversee menu planning and food preparation. Make sure you research the types of dishes that align with the role and be ready to discuss your ideas for seasonal menus during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
You'll be leading a team of 8 kitchen staff, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership style. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles, and be ready to discuss how you would foster a positive working environment.
✨Highlight Your Experience with Different Dining Styles
The job requires experience in both buffet-style and silver service dining. Be prepared to share specific examples of events you've catered for, detailing how you managed the logistics and ensured high-quality service.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Hygiene and Safety
Compliance with food hygiene and safety standards is non-negotiable. Brush up on relevant regulations and be ready to discuss how you've maintained these standards in your previous kitchens, as this will show your professionalism and attention to detail.