At a Glance
- 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 growth.
- Why this job: Shape a high-performing kitchen and showcase your culinary creativity.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in a senior chef role with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ 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 in Bollington employer: Heaton House Farm
Heaton House Farm offers an exceptional working environment for the Banqueting & Events Head Chef, where you will lead a passionate kitchen team in a family-run business renowned for its outstanding events. With a focus on creativity and high standards, you'll enjoy opportunities for professional growth, a supportive management team, and the chance to make a significant impact on our catering operations. Located in a picturesque rural setting, we provide a positive work culture that values flexibility and teamwork, ensuring a rewarding experience for all employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Banqueting & Events Head Chef in Bollington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and events industry. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you have the chance, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demonstration. This gives you the opportunity to showcase your culinary talents and leadership style directly to the team at Heaton House Farm.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to Heaton House Farm and express your interest in the Banqueting & Events Head Chef role. A personal touch can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest trends in catering and food safety. Consider taking a short course or attending workshops. This shows your commitment to excellence and can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Banqueting & Events Head Chef in Bollington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience as a Head Chef or in a similar role. We want to see how you've led teams and delivered high-quality food at events, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Personal and Passionate:Let your personality shine through! Share your passion for fresh, seasonal food and why you love working in the events industry. We’re all about creating memorable experiences, so show us what drives you.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to our specific needs. Reference the job description and align your skills with what we’re looking for, especially around leadership and managing kitchen operations. It shows us you’ve done your homework!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about who we are and what we do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heaton House Farm
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with a variety of dishes that could be served at events. Be ready to discuss your approach to menu development and how you incorporate seasonal ingredients. This shows your passion for food and your ability to create exciting offerings.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head Chef, your leadership skills are crucial. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles. Discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, highlighting your hands-on approach and ability to maintain a positive kitchen culture.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Be prepared to talk about how you manage kitchen operations, from planning rotas to controlling food costs. Share your strategies for ensuring smooth service during high-pressure events, as this will demonstrate your strong planning and problem-solving abilities.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Familiarise yourself with food safety, hygiene, and allergen management practices. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen. This knowledge is essential for maintaining high standards and will show that you take food safety seriously.
