Head Chef

Head Chef

Surrey Full-Time 28000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a catering team, manage food stocks, and ensure culinary excellence.
  • Company: Join Lexington, where we value our colleagues and prioritise their wellbeing.
  • Benefits: Enjoy free lunches, flexible hours, term-time holidays, and exclusive discounts.
  • Why this job: Make an impact with your culinary skills while enjoying a supportive work culture.
  • Qualifications: 2+ years as Head Chef or Sous Chef with strong leadership and customer service skills.
  • Other info: Opportunities for career progression and paid charity leave to support your community.

The predicted salary is between 28000 - 42000 £ per year.

Salary: £35,000

Our way of saying thank you

At Lexington, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel appreciated & rewarded, which is why we offer generous rewards & benefits in exchange for your dedicated efforts.

  • FREE On-Site Lunches: Savour delicious and healthy meals, on us, every day at work
  • Flexible Working: Enjoy the freedom to balance work and personal life with our flexible working hours
  • Term Time Holidays: Offering you flexibility
  • Family Leave: Prioritise your family commitments with our family leave options designed to support you during important times
  • Paid Charity Leave: Make a difference in your community with paid time off to volunteer for your favourite causes
  • Opportunities for Career Progression: Grow and advance your career with us, supported by continuous learning and development opportunities
  • Comprehensive Wellbeing Benefits: Access mental health support and a range of wellbeing benefits to keep you feeling your best, both professionally and personally
  • Life Assurance & Pension Schemes: Secure your future with our life assurance and workplace pension schemes
  • Exclusive Discounts & Perks: Enjoy discounts and cashback on entertainment, leisure activities, and much more, alongside our popular cycle-to-work scheme

What you'll be doing

As a Head Chef you will be proactively managing and supporting a catering team as well as creating a platform for financial growth through cost control and culinary excellence.

Responsibilities:

  • Recruiting, training, supporting and people development to deliver an efficient, high quality service to Elior UK, customer and client
  • Maintaining, ordering and controlling food stocks within budget
  • Ensuring ongoing team communications, including building internal and external relationships, management reporting and client liaison to enable operational excellence
  • Accountable for COSHH, Food Safety, H&S, legal regulations, environmental policies and duty of care to customer and colleagues

What can you bring?

In this role:

  • Proven leadership ability with a proactive, hands-on approach
  • Genuine interest in customer service excellence
  • Focused on the front line
  • Catering experience essential with chef skills
  • 2+ years experience as Head Chef or Sous Chef ready for their next step

Head Chef employer: Lexington Independents

At Lexington, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for our Head Chef role. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, we offer generous benefits such as free on-site lunches, flexible working hours, and opportunities for career progression, all within a supportive and collaborative work culture. Located in a vibrant community, our commitment to family leave and paid charity time ensures that you can balance your professional aspirations with personal commitments, making us a truly rewarding place to work.
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Contact Detail:

Lexington Independents Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Chef

✨Tip Number 1

Network with other chefs and culinary professionals in your area. Attend local food festivals or culinary events to meet potential colleagues and employers, which can help you get a foot in the door.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your culinary skills by creating a portfolio of your best dishes. Consider sharing photos and descriptions on social media or a personal website to demonstrate your creativity and expertise.

✨Tip Number 3

Research Lexington and their catering style. Understanding their values and menu offerings will allow you to tailor your approach during interviews and show how you can contribute to their success.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your leadership experience in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed a team, handled challenges, and improved service quality in previous roles.

We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef

Leadership Skills
Team Management
Culinary Skills
Cost Control
Food Safety Regulations
Health and Safety Compliance
Customer Service Excellence
Communication Skills
Training and Development
Inventory Management
Budget Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Time Management
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in catering and leadership. Emphasise your previous roles as a Head Chef or Sous Chef, showcasing your culinary skills and any achievements in cost control and team management.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for customer service and culinary excellence. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved service quality in past roles.

Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on key skills such as food safety, stock control, and team communication. Make sure to mention your understanding of COSHH and health and safety regulations, as these are crucial for the role.

Showcase Your Leadership Style: Describe your leadership approach in your application. Provide examples of how you have recruited, trained, and developed team members, and how this has contributed to operational excellence in your previous positions.

How to prepare for a job interview at Lexington Independents

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Head Chef, demonstrating your leadership ability is crucial. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed a team, resolved conflicts, or improved team performance in previous roles.

✨Highlight Your Culinary Expertise

Make sure to discuss your culinary skills and experience in detail. Talk about the types of cuisines you excel in, any special techniques you’ve mastered, and how you ensure quality and consistency in your dishes.

✨Discuss Cost Control Strategies

Since financial growth through cost control is a key responsibility, be ready to explain your approach to managing food costs. Share any successful strategies you've implemented in the past to maintain budgets while still delivering high-quality meals.

✨Emphasise Customer Service Excellence

A genuine interest in customer service is essential for this role. Prepare to discuss how you prioritise customer satisfaction in your kitchen, including any feedback mechanisms you’ve used to improve service based on customer input.

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