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 a supportive team environment.
- 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 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 in Warrington 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 strong support from management, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a significant impact on our catering operations. Our positive work culture, combined with a commitment to quality and employee well-being, makes us an excellent employer in the heart of a beautiful rural setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Banqueting & Events Head Chef in 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 can, organise a tasting event or a pop-up kitchen to showcase your culinary talents. This is a great way to demonstrate your passion for high-quality food and your ability to lead a team in a real-world setting.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to appear. Reach out directly to Heaton House Farm or similar venues and express your interest. A well-timed email or call can make all the difference in landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your online presence sharp! Update your LinkedIn profile and any other relevant social media with your latest achievements and experiences. Make sure to highlight your leadership skills and successful events you've managed, as this will catch the eye of hiring managers.
We think you need these skills to ace Banqueting & Events Head Chef in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for fresh, seasonal food shine through. Share any experiences that highlight your culinary creativity and commitment to high standards, especially in banqueting and events.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you inspire and develop your team! Mention specific examples of how you've motivated kitchen staff or improved team dynamics in previous roles. This will show us you're ready to lead our brigade.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:In your application, emphasise your planning and problem-solving skills. Talk about how you've managed food costs, stock control, and event schedules in the past. We love candidates who can keep everything running smoothly!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Heaton House Farm!
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 of cuisine 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 inspire a positive kitchen culture.
✨Demonstrate Your Planning Prowess
Be ready to talk about your experience with planning rotas and managing food costs. Discuss how you ensure efficiency and quality during high-volume events, and share any strategies you’ve used to maintain tight control over budgets and waste.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on your knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and allergen management. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in a busy kitchen environment, as this is crucial for maintaining the high standards expected at Heaton House Farm.
