At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations, design innovative menus, and ensure food quality.
- Company: Join a high-profile site in Limehouse, London, focused on culinary excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, Monday to Friday schedule, and work-life balance.
- Why this job: Shape food strategy, drive innovation, and nurture a positive kitchen culture.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Senior Head Chef required.
- Other info: Occasional evening work may be needed; autonomy to influence food direction.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 56000 Β£ per year.
Executive Chef β LondonWe are Company of Cooks, and we believe brilliant food and drink starts with brilliant people. For over 25 years, we\βve been part of some of the UK\βs most loved cultural destinations, from historic palaces and botanical gardens to buzzing galleries and performance spaces, running the cafΓ©s, restaurants, bars and events that bring these incredible places to life.
Our values β Craft, Creativity and Community β 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\βll 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\βre looking for an Executive Chef to work with us at The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
Location: Covent Garden, WC2E 9DDSalary: 75,000 β 85,000 per annum + amazing benefits and packageWorking Pattern: 40 hours per week, 5 over 7About 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\βs in it for you?Working with Company of Cooks has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we\βve 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 β including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
Family friendly support
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
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Executive Chef - London employer: ESS
Contact Detail:
ESS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Executive Chef - London
β¨Tip Number 1
Network with other culinary professionals in London. Attend food events, workshops, or industry meet-ups to connect with people who might have insights or leads on the Executive Chef position at StudySmarter.
β¨Tip Number 2
Research current food trends and innovative culinary techniques. Being well-versed in what's trending can help you stand out during interviews and discussions about menu design and food strategy.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed kitchen teams in the past. Highlight specific examples of how you've nurtured a positive culture and driven excellence in previous roles.
β¨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and expectations of the Limehouse location. Understanding the local clientele and their preferences can give you an edge in shaping the food offer and aligning it with business goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Chef - London
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as an Executive Chef or Senior Head Chef. Focus on your leadership skills, menu design experience, and any innovative culinary projects you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food innovation and how you align with the company's vision. Mention specific examples of how you've driven excellence in previous roles and your approach to developing kitchen teams.
Showcase Your Culinary Vision: If possible, include a portfolio or examples of seasonal menus you've created. This will demonstrate your creativity and ability to shape food strategy, which is crucial for this role.
Highlight Stakeholder Management Skills: Emphasise your experience in collaborating with internal teams and clients. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed relationships to enhance the food offer and achieve commercial outcomes.
How to prepare for a job interview at ESS
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Executive Chef, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and manage kitchen operations. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on your strategic decision-making and how you foster a positive kitchen culture.
β¨Highlight Your Culinary Innovation
This role requires a forward-thinking mindset, so be ready to discuss your approach to menu design and innovation. Share specific examples of seasonal menus you've created and how they aligned with current food trends.
β¨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
The ideal candidate will have strong commercial awareness. Be prepared to discuss how your culinary decisions have positively impacted business outcomes in previous roles, showcasing your ability to align food strategy with business goals.
β¨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills are crucial for this position. Think of instances where you've collaborated with internal teams or clients to enhance the food offer, and be ready to share these experiences during the interview.