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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create innovative menus for a busy visitor attraction.
- Company: Join Restaurant Associates, a top hospitality provider with iconic venues across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, free meals, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on visitors' experiences while showcasing your culinary creativity.
- Qualifications: Proven Head Chef experience in high-volume environments and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth in a fun, inclusive, and diverse workplace.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 54000 £ per year.
Location: Twycross Zoo
Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent, 5 out of 7 days
Are you an existing Head Chef who is looking for a new challenge, and wanting to work in an environment that offers variety? Are you keen to utilise your current experience at a visitor attraction that allows you to be a culinary creative? We’re looking for a Head Chef to lead and oversee the culinary operation and team, with a strong focus on food innovation and development at this busy tourist attraction in the heart of the Midlands.
About the Role:
As the Head Chef at Twycross Zoo, you will be joining this popular visitor attraction, to lead and develop the culinary offering. This role will be responsible for the food offerings in the multi-outlet catering operation based on site, which consists of a mixture of concession outlets, grab & go kiosks and restaurants. This venue is predominantly retail food led, so an individual with experience of high volume and high-quality food delivery would be ideal for this role.
Success in this role means that visitors consistently enjoy food sold across all outlets, with the kitchens running efficiently, safely, and profitably. The successful candidate will continue to build on the great relationship we already have with the client, to work with them on continuing to view the catering offer as a key part of the success of Twycross Zoo.
What We Offer:
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Competitive pension contribution offer
- Enhanced maternity/paternity pay
- Free staff meals whilst working on site
- Free staff parking
- A supportive, values-driven culture within cohesive teams
- Opportunities for growth and development within a national business
- A chance to make a meaningful impact in a continuously growing sector
Key Responsibilities:
- Menu Development & Innovation - Create and adapt menus that appeal to a broad visitor base, including family-friendly options, dietary requirements, and seasonal specials.
- Operational Excellence - Oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring compliance with food safety legislation, company policies, and contractual obligations.
- Leadership & Team Development - Recruit, train, and inspire a motivated kitchen team, fostering a positive and professional working culture.
- Cost Control & Profitability - Manage budgets, control wastage, and achieve GP targets without compromising quality.
- Collaboration - Work closely with front-of-house teams, site management, and the client to deliver a consistent and memorable food experience.
- Event Catering - Experience in large scale eventing.
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven track record as a Head Chef in a high-volume, high-quality environment.
- Experience within visitor attractions and contract catering is highly desirable.
- Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to lead by example.
- Excellent organisational skills, especially during peak periods.
- Sound knowledge of food trends, allergens, and dietary requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to achieve financial targets while maintaining high quality.
- Good IT and Microsoft Office skills.
- Passionate about food and hospitality with a strong customer focus.
- Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
- Creative, commercially aware, and results driven.
- Committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing.
About Us:
Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitality provider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high-quality dining in London and New York. Within our venues team, we provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. Within these amazing venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants, as well as delivering private events ranging from small meetings to large-scale ground events of up to 1000 people. You can find a full list of our venues on our website. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of teams plus a commitment to putting our people first. Restaurant Associates is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a business, we are committed to sustainability led practices and are proud to have achieved 3 stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good Programme.
Head Chef in Saundersfoot 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 Saundersfoot
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, especially those who have experience in visitor attractions. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, bring along a portfolio of your best dishes and menu ideas. This is your time to shine and demonstrate your culinary innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the venue! Understand their current food offerings and think about how you can enhance them. Tailoring your ideas to fit their brand will show you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team at Twycross Zoo.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Saundersfoot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Creativity: When writing your application, let your passion for food shine through! Share examples of how you've innovated menus or created unique dishes in your previous roles. We want to see your culinary flair!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Talk about how you've trained and inspired your kitchen staff in the past. We love a good team player!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Tailor your application to reflect your experience in high-volume environments and visitor attractions. Mention any relevant achievements that demonstrate your ability to deliver quality food under pressure. We’re all about those details!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and we can’t wait to see your application come through. Let’s get cooking together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of dishes and menus that are currently offered at Twycross Zoo. Think about how you can innovate or adapt these to enhance the visitor experience. Being able to discuss specific ideas will show your passion and creativity.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen teams in the past, focusing on recruitment, training, and fostering a positive work culture. This will demonstrate your ability to inspire and motivate others.
✨Highlight Your Operational Excellence
Be ready to discuss your experience with high-volume food delivery and how you ensure compliance with food safety regulations. Share specific instances where you’ve improved kitchen efficiency or reduced waste while maintaining quality, as this aligns with the role's key responsibilities.
✨Emphasise Your Customer Focus
Since the role is in a visitor attraction, it’s crucial to show that you understand the importance of customer satisfaction. Prepare to talk about how you’ve tailored menus to meet diverse dietary needs and preferences, ensuring that every visitor has a memorable dining experience.
