At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team to create exceptional food for events and banquets.
- Company: Heaton House Farm, a family-run events business with a friendly atmosphere.
- Benefits: Senior leadership role, creative input, company pension, and Christmas Day off.
- Other info: Flexible shifts aligned with events, offering a vibrant work environment.
- Why this job: Shape a high-performing kitchen and deliver memorable culinary experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in a senior chef role, strong leadership, and passion for fresh food.
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.
Locations
Banqueting & Events Head Chef in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Heaton House Farm
Heaton House Farm is an exceptional employer, offering a senior leadership role in a family-run events business renowned for its outstanding catering services. With a strong focus on employee development and a supportive management team, you will have the opportunity to shape a high-performing kitchen brigade while enjoying a positive work culture that values creativity and teamwork. Located in a picturesque rural setting, this role provides a unique chance to lead culinary excellence in a vibrant events environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Banqueting & Events Head Chef in Cheshire, Warrington
✨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 hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to Heaton House Farm and express your interest in the Banqueting & Events Head Chef position. A personal touch can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Stay flexible and open-minded. The events industry can be unpredictable, so being adaptable will show that you’re ready to handle the dynamic nature of the role. Plus, it’ll help you fit right into the family-run vibe at Heaton House Farm!
We think you need these skills to ace Banqueting & Events Head Chef in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for fresh, seasonal food shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for creating high-quality dishes that impress guests at weddings and events.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your experience in motivating and developing kitchen staff. Share examples of how you've inspired your team to deliver exceptional service.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:We value strong planning and problem-solving skills. In your application, mention any experiences where you successfully managed food costs, labour budgets, or event schedules to demonstrate your organisational prowess.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heaton House Farm
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Make sure you’re familiar with the types of dishes and styles that Heaton House Farm is known for. Be ready to discuss your ideas for menu development and how you can elevate their offerings, especially for weddings and corporate events.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate and develop staff, as well as how you handle challenges under pressure. They’ll want to see that you can lead from the front!
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Be ready to talk about how you manage kitchen operations, including planning rotas and controlling food costs. Share specific strategies you’ve used to ensure smooth service during high-volume events, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Understand Food Safety and Compliance
Brush up on your knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP, and allergen management. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in a busy kitchen environment, as this is vital for maintaining high standards at Heaton House Farm.
