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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create exceptional meals for patients and staff.
- Company: Renowned private hospital known for outstanding patient care and culinary excellence.
- Benefits: Private healthcare, 27 days leave, discounts, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment with ongoing training and exciting annual events.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patient wellbeing through innovative culinary leadership.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Catering, kitchen management experience, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth is one of the UK’s leading private hospitals, renowned for exceptional patient care and a warm, welcoming environment. Our Catering Department plays a vital role in supporting patient wellbeing, delivering outstanding food that meets clinical, nutritional, and hospitality standards. We are now seeking an experienced and inspiring Head Chef to lead our kitchen operations and elevate our culinary offering across the hospital.
The Head Chef will oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality, nutritious meals for patients, staff, and visitors. You will lead a dedicated kitchen team, manage budgets, maintain compliance with food safety and healthcare regulations, and drive continuous improvement across all catering services.
Located in leafy St John’s Wood on the Jubilee line, minutes from Central London, our independent private Hospital has just been rated the number one in the country for care in the latest Bupa survey. Uniquely, all profits fund our onsite Hospice, St John’s.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Culinary leadership — Maintain exceptional standards in food preparation, presentation, and service.
- Menu development — Create menus aligned with nutritional guidelines, patient needs, allergens, and cultural requirements.
- Patient dining excellence — Work with dietitians and clinical teams to support patient recovery and wellbeing.
- Team leadership — Lead, train, and develop the kitchen brigade, ensuring a positive and high‑performing culture.
- Food cost control — Manage stock, ordering, suppliers, and budgets to maximise efficiency and minimise waste.
- Safety & compliance — Ensure full compliance with HACCP, infection control, allergen management, and all regulatory standards.
- Continuous improvement — Innovate menus, enhance service quality, and support audits and inspections.
What We’re Looking For
- Level 3 NVQ Catering or formal chef qualification
- HACCP Level 2
- Knowledge of COSHH, Health & Safety, food safety and hygiene regulations
- Experience managing a professional kitchen
- Experience working in a healthcare setting
- Minimum 3 years as a Chef, including 2 years managing staff
- Ability to cater for large groups and varied dietary needs
- IT literacy (Microsoft Office, kitchen management systems)
- Strong leadership and team‑management capability
Why apply for this role?
At our organisation we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our employees a wide range of benefits:
- Private healthcare scheme worth up to £20,000 per year
- 27 days annual leave
- Blue Light Card discounts
- Interest-free season ticket loans
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free eye check-up vouchers with contribution towards lenses
- Free newspaper and media subscriptions
- Local Business discounts
- Discount in our Hospice Charity shop
- Refer a Friend scheme
- Free Cinema Society Membership offering discounted tickets
- Personal development and training courses
- Annual events and recognition awards
- Career progression and increments
If you are ready for a new challenge and relish the chance to become part of a successful, forward thinking organisation then we would love to hear from you.
Head Chef in London employer: HJE
Contact Detail:
HJE Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the culinary world, attend industry events, and join relevant online 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 and menu ideas. A visual representation of your culinary prowess can really make you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the hospital's values and recent achievements. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their mission of exceptional patient care and culinary excellence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Culinary Passion: When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your experiences and what inspires you in the kitchen. We want to see your personality and passion for food!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in healthcare settings and managing a kitchen. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your leadership and culinary skills.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate clarity and want to quickly understand your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at HJE
✨Know Your Culinary Standards
Familiarise yourself with the hospital's culinary standards and patient care philosophy. Be ready to discuss how you can maintain and elevate these standards in your role as Head Chef.
✨Showcase Your Menu Development Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience in creating menus that cater to diverse dietary needs. Bring examples of past menus you've developed, highlighting how they met nutritional guidelines and patient preferences.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've led and developed kitchen teams in the past. Discuss your approach to fostering a positive culture and how you handle challenges within a team setting.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Regulations
Brush up on HACCP, COSHH, and other relevant food safety regulations. Be ready to explain how you ensure compliance in your kitchen operations and how you keep your team informed and trained on these standards.