At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team to create exceptional dining experiences in an airport lounge.
- Company: Join Elior, a people-first business dedicated to enriching lives with great food.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, flexible hours, 28+ days holiday, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all applicants!
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while showcasing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership and chef experience, ideally in hospitality or high-volume settings.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Whitehouse Ln, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7TU, UK
Job Description Posted Wednesday 13 May 2026 at 00:00 | Expires Friday 12 June 2026 at 23:59
Elior at work – Workdays Made Better with Great Food. A great workday starts with great food, and we know food at work should be more than just a sandwich at your desk. That’s why we bring exciting, fresh, and flexible catering to workplaces across the UK. Whether it’s a quick grab-and-go snack or a hearty lunch, with tech-powered ordering and diverse menus, we keep teams happy, energised, and ready to take on the day.
What you’ll be doing… As a Head Chef within our airport lounge operation, you will lead and inspire the kitchen team to deliver an exceptional dining experience for lounge guests, while driving culinary excellence, operational efficiency, and financial performance in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
- Leading, recruiting, training, and developing the kitchen team to consistently deliver a high-quality food service that reflects the premium standards of the airport lounge.
- Managing food ordering, stock control, and wastage to ensure effective budget management and smooth daily operations.
- Building strong working relationships with internal teams, airport stakeholders, and clients to support operational excellence and seamless guest experiences.
- Ensuring full compliance with COSHH, Food Safety, Health & Safety, legal regulations, environmental policies, and duty of care responsibilities.
- Maintaining high standards of presentation, cleanliness, and service within a dynamic airport hospitality setting.
Working Pattern: 5/7 - Shift patterns may vary from early starts or later finishes and may change due to seasonal demands.
What can you bring?
- Proven leadership skills with a proactive and hands‑on management style.
- Passion for delivering exceptional hospitality and customer service.
- Strong focus on quality, presentation, and guest satisfaction.
- Previous catering and chef experience essential, ideally within hospitality, premium lounge, hotel, or high‑volume environments.
- Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Head Chef, or an experienced Sous Chef looking to take the next step in their career.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, customer‑focused airport environment.
Due to security checks required for this role, all candidates will be subject to a basic criminal record check and must be able to provide a continuous five-year checkable work history with verified gaps in employment. Full details and dates of all periods of employment/unemployment/education must be provided for the previous five years.
Brilliant Work Deserves Brilliant Perks! At Elior, we believe that when you love where you work, it shows. That’s why we make sure our team feels appreciated, supported, and set up for success!
- Free, tasty meals - Enjoy tasty, nutritious food on us while you work!
- Flexible working - including part time roles, because life doesn’t run on a 9‑5 schedule.
- Plenty of Time to Unwind - 28 days of holiday, and after two years, enjoy even more with 31 days.
- Leave for life’s important moments - whether family, personal or unexpected.
- Give back time - paid volunteering days for the causes you care about.
- Room to grow - career development and learning opportunities for all stages of your career.
- Financial security - pension schemes and life assurance.
- Exclusive discounts - save on entertainment, leisure, and even travel!
One small thing - we welcome you to apply using the name you feel most comfortable with! No need for legal names at this stage.
Why You’ll Love Working Here: We’re a people‑first business with over 10,000 colleagues across the UK, serving everything from stadiums to hospitals, schools to workplaces. Our mission? To enrich lives everywhere, every day. And here’s the best part - 87% of our team say they’re proud to work here! Why? Because we create a place where you’re listened to, trusted, supported, and valued.
Not sure you match every single requirement? Apply anyway! Research shows that many people - especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds - hold back unless they meet 100% of the criteria. But we hire for potential, not just experience. If you’re passionate and ready to grow, we want to hear from you!
We Celebrate You! At Elior, diversity and inclusion aren’t just policies, they’re who we are. We know that different perspectives make us stronger, and we’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.
Need any support or adjustments during the application process? Just let us know - we’re happy to help!
Ready to join us? Hit ‘Apply Now’ and let’s chat!
Head Chef in Yeadon employer: Elior Uk
Elior is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and growth of its team members, offering a vibrant work culture where creativity and culinary excellence thrive. Located in the dynamic environment of an airport lounge, employees enjoy flexible working hours, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for career development, all while being part of a supportive community that values diversity and inclusion. With free meals, paid volunteering days, and exclusive discounts, Elior ensures that every team member feels appreciated and empowered to succeed.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Yeadon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who might know someone at Elior. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, bring a dish to share or offer to cook for a small gathering. It’s a great way to showcase your talent and passion for food directly.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching Elior's values and their approach to food service. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their mission of enriching lives through great food.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Elior.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Yeadon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food and hospitality shine through! Share your culinary journey and what excites you about creating exceptional dining experiences.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've inspired and developed your team in previous roles – we want to see that proactive management style!
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your past jobs; dive into the details! Mention specific achievements, like managing budgets or improving food quality, to show us how you’ve made an impact in fast-paced environments.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elior Uk
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of dishes and cuisines that Elior offers. Be ready to discuss your own culinary style and how it aligns with their vision for exceptional dining experiences.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen staff in the past, focusing on training, motivation, and conflict resolution. Highlight your hands-on management style and how it contributes to a positive kitchen environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Quality
Elior values high standards of food presentation and guest satisfaction. Be prepared to talk about your commitment to quality and how you ensure that every dish meets premium standards. Share specific instances where you’ve gone above and beyond to delight guests.
✨Understand Operational Efficiency
Familiarise yourself with concepts like stock control, budget management, and waste reduction. During the interview, discuss your strategies for maintaining operational efficiency in a fast-paced environment, and how you’ve successfully implemented these in previous roles.
