At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create delicious meals and maintain high standards.
- Company: Join Compass Group UK&I, supporting military and government services with a focus on excellent customer service.
- Benefits: Enjoy travel discounts, food shop savings, healthcare access, cinema discounts, and wellness classes.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team that values diversity and offers career growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef, strong communication skills, and a passion for food are essential.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with a focus on safety and hygiene.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our clients and customers
- Identifying opportunities to improve our food service
- Creating a positive kitchen environment where your team feel welcomed and supported
- Delivering our tasty food concepts to our customers
- Representing Compass Group UK&I and maintaining a positive brand image
- Ordering food, looking after stock control and controlling food waste
- Overseeing kitchen cleaning responsibilities to maintain hygiene standards
- Managing budgets and successfully meeting financial targets
- Complying with Food Handling & Hygiene standards
- Complying with Health & Safety regulations
Our ideal Head Chef will:
- Create a positive work environment where the whole team can thrive
- Be a brilliant communicator and easily build relationships
- Have experience in a similar Head Chef role
- Strive for excellence in an enthusiastic and motivated manner
- Take initiative and make decisions that are right for our customers
- Have a desire to succeed in your role
- Possess the ability to work under pressure
- Demonstrate exceptional timekeeping and reliability
- Have a safety-first mind set
- Be passionate about food
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:
- 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
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Regular emails filled with the best discounts and savings available
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
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!
Contact Detail:
ESS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Showcase your passion for food and cooking during any interactions with us. Whether it's in an informal chat or a formal interview, let your enthusiasm shine through. This will help you connect with our values and demonstrate that you're the right fit for our team.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with our brand and the specific food concepts we offer. Understanding our menu and being able to discuss how you can enhance it will set you apart from other candidates. It shows initiative and a genuine interest in what we do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing kitchen teams and creating a positive work environment. We value strong leadership skills, so be ready to share examples of how you've motivated your team and handled challenges in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards. Being well-versed in these areas is crucial for the Head Chef role, so be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these practices in your past kitchens.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as a Head Chef. Focus on your culinary skills, leadership abilities, and any achievements in previous roles that demonstrate your capability to manage a kitchen effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and your commitment to creating a positive kitchen environment. Mention specific examples of how you've improved food service or managed a team in the past.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise key skills mentioned in the job description, such as communication, time management, and adherence to health and safety regulations. Use concrete examples to illustrate these skills.
Showcase Your Passion: Express your enthusiasm for the role and the company in your application. Mention why you want to work for Compass Group UK&I and how your values align with their commitment to excellent customer service and diversity.
How to prepare for a job interview at ESS
✨Showcase Your Culinary Passion
During the interview, express your love for cooking and food. Share specific examples of dishes you’ve created or unique culinary experiences that highlight your passion and creativity in the kitchen.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've created a positive work environment and supported your team in previous roles.
✨Discuss Food Safety Knowledge
Make sure to highlight your understanding of food handling and hygiene standards. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance with health and safety regulations in the kitchen, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle specific kitchen scenarios, such as managing food waste or dealing with high-pressure situations. Think through your responses in advance to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to thrive under pressure.