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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team to create exceptional food for events and banquets.
- Company: Join a family-run events business known for outstanding catering services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, and Christmas Day off.
- Other info: Flexible shifts aligned with exciting events and opportunities for creative input.
- Why this job: Shape menus and drive culinary excellence in a vibrant events environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in a senior chef role with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Heaton House Farm is a family-run events business, home to Stable Yard Catering, our onsite and external catering company. We are renowned for delivering exceptional weddings alongside charity events, corporate meetings and flagship company events, with catering provided both on-site and at venues across the region, all supported by a professional and friendly team.
Due to recent changes within our kitchen structure, we are now seeking an experienced and motivated Banqueting & Events Head Chef to lead our kitchen brigade, drive standards and take full ownership of our banqueting and events catering operation.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring smooth and efficient service
- Deliver consistently high-quality food for weddings, private events, corporate functions and external catering events
- Take overall responsibility for all food production across onsite and offsite operations
- Manage, inspire and develop the kitchen team including Senior Sous Chef, Sous Chefs, CDPs and support staff
- Oversee food preparation, service and presentation to ensure exceptional standards
- Plan rotas in line with event schedules, labour budgets and business needs
- Manage ordering, supplier relationships and stock control
- Maintain tight control of food costs, margins, portioning and waste
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, HACCP and allergen procedures
- Work closely with front-of-house and events teams to deliver seamless guest experiences
- Lead menu development and continuous improvement of the food offering
- Support the growth and promotion of Stable Yard Catering as an external catering provider
- Attend and oversee key external catering events where required
- Drive consistency, efficiency and a positive kitchen culture
About you:
- Proven experience as a Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef or equivalent senior leadership role, ideally within banqueting, weddings or high-volume events
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach and develop a team
- Confident delivering high-quality food at scale with consistency and attention to detail
- Highly organised with strong planning and problem-solving skills
- Commercially aware with experience managing food costs, labour and budgets
- Passionate about fresh, seasonal food and maintaining high standards
- Calm under pressure with a hands-on, lead-from-the-front approach
- Strong understanding of food safety and allergen management
- Full UK driving licence and access to transport due to our rural location
Working pattern:
- 45 days per week
- Shifts aligned to event schedules including a mix of daytime and evening work
- Weekends and bank holidays required as part of an events business
- Flexibility essential to meet the demands of a busy events calendar
What we offer:
- A senior leadership role within a well-established and respected events venue
- The opportunity to shape and develop a high-performing kitchen team
- Creative input into menus, food presentation and business growth
- Strong support from an experienced and professional management team
- A positive, family-run working environment
- Company pension scheme
- Christmas Day off
Banqueting & Events Head Chef employer: Heaton House Farm
Contact Detail:
Heaton House Farm Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Banqueting & Events Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend local events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your best dishes or catering events. A visual representation of your work can really impress potential employers and set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Heaton House Farm, and express your interest. A personal touch can go a long way in landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your online presence sharp! Update your LinkedIn profile and any other professional platforms with your latest achievements. Make sure it reflects your passion for banqueting and events, and don’t forget to apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Banqueting & Events Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through. Share your experiences with fresh, seasonal ingredients and how you’ve created memorable dishes in past roles. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who truly cares about the culinary experience.
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 motivated and developed your kitchen brigade in previous positions. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others and create a positive kitchen culture.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Tailor your application to reflect your relevant experience in banqueting and events. Mention specific events you’ve catered for and the scale of operations you’ve managed. This will help us understand how your background aligns with our needs at Heaton House Farm.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important details. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heaton House Farm
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
As a Banqueting & Events Head Chef, you’ll need to showcase your culinary expertise. Familiarise yourself with seasonal ingredients and be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you would elevate them for events. This shows your passion and creativity!
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Talk about how you motivate and develop your staff, especially in high-pressure situations. This will highlight your ability to inspire and manage a team effectively.
✨Showcase Your Planning Prowess
Be ready to discuss how you plan for events, manage food costs, and ensure quality control. Bring up specific instances where your planning made a significant impact on an event's success. This will demonstrate your organisational skills and attention to detail.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on food safety, hygiene, and allergen management protocols. Be prepared to answer questions about how you ensure compliance in your kitchen. This is crucial for maintaining high standards and will show that you take these responsibilities seriously.