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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create innovative menus for our vibrant school community.
- Company: Join Holroyd Howe, a top contract caterer in the UK focused on fresh, quality food.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, free meals, and discounts on brands you love.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young people's food education while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef with strong leadership and a passion for quality ingredients.
- Other info: Be part of a people-first company that values creativity and respect.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 52000 £ per year.
Company Description
Location: Central London
Contract Type: Full-time, 52 weeks
Salary: 47,000 per annum
Why Join us?
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- 3 volunteering days to give back to causes you care about
- 3 days grandparent leave for those special family moments
- 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
- Bespoke training & development opportunities
- Pension & life insurance
- Discounts on high street brands, cinema & holidays via the Perkbox App
- Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
- Free meals while at work
- Career development & HIT Apprenticeships for all experience levels
About the role:
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Head Chef to lead the culinary team at a thriving Central London location. You will be responsible for creating exceptional menus, managing kitchen operations, and delivering outstanding food experiences to our pupils, staff, and visitors. You will be joining Holroyd Howe, one of the UK's leading contract caterers, providing fresh innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges.
Job Description Key Responsibilities:
- Lead kitchen operations ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation
- Create innovative and seasonal menus tailored to the school's requirements
- Manage kitchen staff recruitment, training, and development
- Control budgets, stock, and supplier relationships efficiently
- Ensure compliance with all food safety, health & safety, and safeguarding policies
- Collaborate with the wider catering and school teams to deliver outstanding customer experiences
Qualifications Candidate Profile:
- Ideally, you will have experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef within a contract catering environment, preferably in independent education, or a high-profile business and industry setting.
- Strong leadership and team management skills
- Passionate about fresh, quality ingredients and innovative menus
- Excellent organisational, communication, and financial management skills
- Knowledge of current food trends, sustainability, and allergen control
Additional Information
We pride ourselves on:
- People first: We're a company of individuals, united in doing our best for our clients.
- Great food, always: Using only the best ingredients, our food is fresh, authentic and tailored to each school, age group, and specific needs and preferences.
- Food education: We educate pupils through food, encouraging them to understand and develop their own personal tastes and make informed food choices.
- Respect in everything we do: Our respectful codes of conduct inform how we behave towards our clients and customers, suppliers and business partners, and each other.
- Fresh thinking: New ideas for food, service and ways of working help us maintain our position as creative leaders in school catering.
In order to be considered for this role you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity. It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for such roles. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check will be required for all successful applicants. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information. This search helps identify any issues that may affect suitability to work with children. This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.
Head Chef - London employer: Holroyd Howe
Contact Detail:
Holroyd Howe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, attend industry events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Head Chef role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your best dishes and menus. This is a great way to visually demonstrate your culinary expertise and creativity to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to food education and sustainability, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for food and cooking shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for creating exceptional menus and leading a kitchen team. Share your culinary journey and what drives you to be a Head Chef!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Head Chef. Highlight your experience in contract catering, especially in educational settings. We love seeing how your skills align with our mission to provide fresh, innovative food services.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, so don’t hesitate to showcase your achievements without fluff!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Holroyd Howe!
How to prepare for a job interview at Holroyd Howe
✨Know Your Menus
Before the interview, take some time to research and think about innovative menu ideas that could fit the school’s needs. Be ready to discuss your culinary philosophy and how you can tailor menus to different age groups and dietary requirements.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, strong leadership is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen teams in the past, including recruitment, training, and development. Highlight any specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on food safety, health & safety, and allergen control policies. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen operations and how you educate your team on these important standards.
✨Demonstrate Passion for Fresh Ingredients
Express your enthusiasm for using fresh, quality ingredients and staying updated on current food trends. Share any experiences where you’ve implemented sustainable practices or innovative cooking techniques that align with the company’s values.
