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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team, create seasonal menus, and ensure top-notch food quality.
- Company: Join Peppermint, a multi-award-winning events business known for exceptional hospitality experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, paid overtime, healthcare, and access to amazing UK events and festivals.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant venue in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, delivering creative and high-quality food.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous in a busy, multi-outlet environment is essential.
- Other info: Join a diverse team that values creativity, innovation, and inclusivity in the hospitality industry.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Head Chef – Riverside East, Peppermint Bars & Events | Full-Time / Permanent
Up to £60,000 + excellent benefits including 28 days holiday, paid overtime, healthcare, wellbeing support, access to some of the UK’s best events & festivals, and more.
We\’re looking for a talented and driven Head Chef to lead our kitchen team, evolve our menus, and deliver operational excellence across all our F&B touchpoints. You’ll be responsible for the day-to-day management of our kitchen operations, menu development, team leadership, food safety, and delivering an exceptional and consistent food offer across all parts of the venue. From a busy weekend brunch service to large-scale canapé and bowl food events, as Head Chef you’ll take pride in delivering food that’s creative, seasonal, and high quality.
Riverside East is a vibrant hospitality venue in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Our food offering includes a popular brunch café with Sunday roasts in the cooler months, two street food units serving smash burgers and handmade pizza, and a bespoke catering arm delivering exceptional food for private and corporate events across two flexible event spaces.
Who we are
Peppermint is a multi-award-winning events business, founded in 2003 by Alex Brooke and Adam Hempenstall – passionate in providing first-class bars and drinks-led solutions to the UK’s greatest events & venues. Today, Peppermint services over 50 events and venues every year and has developed long-standing relationships with the likes of AEG, IMG, Brand Events and Live Nation. Events include BST Hyde Park, Camp Bestival, Mighty Hoopla, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, All Points East, Lytham, Rewind festivals and many more.
Head Chef – the role
Cafe Operations
- Lead the café kitchen, serving a high-quality brunch menu and seasonal Sunday roasts
- Manage GP%, portion control, and kitchen costings
- Oversee prep and service, ensuring consistency, quality, and pace
Street Food (Match Days & Events)
- As Head Chef of Riverside East you will manage and prep for smash burger and pizza kiosks in the Yard
- Coordinate with event teams to meet high-volume demand during peak period
Event Catering
- Deliver high-standard canapé, bowl food, and plated meals for sit-down events (up to 120 guests) and standing receptions (up to 225 guests)
- Develop and execute bespoke BBQ menus and outdoor catering for private hire and corporate functions
- Liaise with clients as needed to tailor menus and support bespoke event delivery
Team & Operations
- Lead, train, and develop the kitchen team
- Maintain a strong food safety and hygiene culture (achieving/maintaining 5* rating)
- Collaborate with the GM and FOH team to ensure smooth service and communication across departments
- Manage rotas, recruitment, and labour budgets for the kitchen
- Oversee stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships
What we\’re looking for
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous in a similar multi-outlet venue
- Strong organisational and leadership skills – able to run multiple kitchen formats simultaneously
- Experience with high-volume service, especially for events or match days
- Passion for seasonal, quality food and creative menu development
- Knowledge of allergens, HACCP, and food safety compliance
- Ability to thrive under pressure and remain calm and solution-focused
- A collaborative and positive attitude – a real team player
What you\’ll get in return
- 28 days holiday
- Overtime paid
- Birthday day off
- Access to employee discounts, wellbeing tools and private healthcare plan through Medicash
- Company Sick pay
- Enhanced Parental Leave
- Access to some of the UK’s best events, festivals & sports venues
Why join us?
Peppermint has recently partnered with Levy UK and supports venues with premium F&B experiences – including The O2, Wembley Arena, Dreamland (Margate), The Piece Hall (Halifax) and the Johan Cruff Arena in Amsterdam. Peppermint operates the hugely popular Between The Bridges venues on the Southbank and has just opened a brand new venue in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park called Riverside East. Peppermint’s success has been driven by its relentless passion for its people, innovation and sustainable practices – with 20 years’ operational experience – it’s a powerful combination.
Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality.
We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence.
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive.
Together, we create unforgettable experiences – and shape the future of hospitality.
Head Chef - Riverside East employer: Levy UK
Contact Detail:
Levy UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Riverside East
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific food offerings at Riverside East. Understanding their brunch menu, street food options, and event catering styles will help you demonstrate your passion for their culinary approach during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience with high-volume service, especially in event settings. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully managed busy periods in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Head Chef position.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've trained and developed kitchen teams in the past. This will resonate well with the expectations of managing a diverse kitchen team at Riverside East.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Peppermint's values and recent partnerships, such as with Levy UK. Being able to align your personal values with theirs and discussing how you can contribute to their mission will make you a standout candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Riverside East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous in multi-outlet venues. Emphasise your leadership skills, high-volume service experience, and passion for seasonal, quality food.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your culinary philosophy and how it aligns with Peppermint's values. Mention specific examples of menu development and team leadership that demonstrate your fit for the role.
Showcase Your Achievements: Include quantifiable achievements in your application, such as improvements in kitchen efficiency, cost management, or successful event catering experiences. This will help you stand out as a candidate.
Highlight Food Safety Knowledge: Since food safety is crucial for this role, make sure to mention your knowledge of allergens, HACCP, and any relevant certifications. This will show your commitment to maintaining high standards in the kitchen.
How to prepare for a job interview at Levy UK
✨Showcase Your Culinary Passion
As a Head Chef, your passion for food is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your favourite ingredients, cooking techniques, and how you stay inspired in the kitchen. Share examples of creative dishes you've developed that reflect seasonal produce.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading kitchen teams. Discuss how you've trained and developed staff, managed kitchen operations, and maintained high standards of food safety. Use specific examples to illustrate your leadership style and how it contributes to a positive kitchen environment.
✨Prepare for High-Volume Scenarios
Given the nature of the venue, be ready to talk about your experience with high-volume service, especially during events or match days. Share strategies you've implemented to ensure efficiency and quality during peak times.
✨Understand the Venue's Offerings
Research Riverside East and Peppermint Bars & Events thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with their food offerings, event types, and overall brand ethos. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and show your genuine interest in the role.
