At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a boutique kitchen, creating exceptional fine dining and bespoke hospitality experiences.
- Company: Award-winning independent caterer with a focus on sustainability and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, Monday to Friday hours, free meals, and ongoing development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career progression and fun social events.
- Why this job: Showcase your culinary creativity in a prestigious environment and make a lasting impact.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef with a passion for refined food.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
- HOSPITALITY HEAD CHEF
- Houston & Hawkes | Central London | £45,000 per annum | Monday to Friday
A rare and refined opportunity for an accomplished Hospitality Head Chef to lead a prestigious boutique hospitality kitchen in the heart of Central London, with your creativity, precision and standards centre stage .
Houston & Hawkes is seeking a talented Hospitality Head Chef to take full ownership of a small, premium client site, delivering exceptional food across formal dining, elegant buffets, canapé events and bespoke hospitality.
This is a focused, high-standard operation where quality, presentation and guest experience are everything.
You will design refined seasonal menus, lead with confidence and create something genuinely special within an exclusive corporate environment.
This is the kind of role where your touch is felt in every plate, every service and every guest experience, while the Monday to Friday working pattern offers an exceptional balance alongside a senior culinary role.
If you are passionate about fine dining, take pride in polished, elegant food and want to lead a kitchen that truly reflects your standards, this is the opportunity for you.
THE ROLE
- Take full creative and operational ownership of this boutique hospitality kitchen
- Lead a small, high-quality kitchen team with exceptional standards at the heart of every service
- Deliver formal fine dining, elegant buffets and beautifully presented canapé events
- Prepare premium hospitality including working lunches, private dining and bespoke client requests
- Design and evolve refined seasonal menus with a focus on quality, creativity and presentation
- Maintain exceptional consistency across every service
- Manage stock, food cost, ordering and kitchen operations with efficiency and accuracy
- Build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders, understanding and anticipating their needs
- Work closely with the front-of-house team to deliver seamless hospitality experiences
- Maintain the highest standards of food safety, allergen management, hygiene and compliance
- WHAT YOU'LL BRING
- Proven experience as a Hospitality Head Chef or an exceptional Senior Sous Chef ready to take the next step
- A strong background in formal fine dining is essential
- Experience within premium corporate hospitality, five-star hotels or high-end restaurants is highly desirable
- A genuine passion for beautifully executed, refined food
- Excellent classical and modern cooking skills
- Creativity with a sophisticated eye for detail and presentation
- Calm, confident and organised leadership
- The ability to lead a small team and deliver consistently exceptional standards
- Strong commercial awareness and confidence managing food cost and kitchen performance
- Meticulous standards across food safety, allergens and compliance
WHY JOIN HOUSTON & HAWKES?
- Monday to Friday working pattern
- Overtime paid at time and a half
- Birthday off every year
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Free meals on duty
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance at 2x salary
- Employee Assistance Programme
- CODE Hospitality membership
- Exclusive masterclasses with award-winning chef Sally Abé
- Foodie Socials bringing our teams together to share inspiration, new techniques and culinary ideas
- Ongoing learning, development and genuine career progression
- Summer Awards Party celebrating our people and achievements
- An unforgettable Christmas Party at one of London's outstanding venues
- ABOUT HOUSTON & HAWKES
Houston & Hawkes is an award-winning independent caterer creating exceptional food and hospitality experiences across some of the UK's most prestigious workplaces.
We're a Certified B Corp, recipient of the King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2026 and proud to be ranked No. 14 in The Caterer's Best Places to Work in Hospitality.
We believe exceptional food starts with exceptional people, which is why we give talented chefs the trust, support and creative freedom to do their very best work.
If you're ready to take ownership of an exceptional kitchen and create hospitality that people remember, we'd love to hear from you.
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Head Chef in City of Westminster employer: Houston & Hawkes
Houston & Hawkes is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee satisfaction and growth, offering a competitive salary and the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment across various sites in Cambridge. With a strong focus on seasonal food and high culinary standards, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages creativity and collaboration, making it a rewarding place for passionate chefs to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in City of Westminster
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Houston & Hawkes. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Houston & Hawkes
Don't be shy about reaching out to Houston & Hawkes directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Houston & Hawkes and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Houston & Hawkes
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
