At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team in creating exciting, fresh, and nutritious meals daily.
- Company: Join Compass Group, a leader in catering and support services across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, wellness classes, travel discounts, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic kitchen while growing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Innovative culinary skills, excellent communication, and team management experience required.
- Other info: Work-life balance with opportunities for personal and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Benefits
- Monday to Friday
- Free meals
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
What You’ll Be Doing
Chartwells Independents is the leading provider of catering and support services to Independent Schools in the UK. We provide innovative catering, hospitality and food service by creating imaginative menus delivered with an exceptional service. We nurture and develop our teams to enrich their skills which allows them to show their passion and inspiration that as a company we are proud to encourage. You will be leading a team who share the same passion for preparing exciting fresh and nutritious food on a daily basis. This is a complex, busy and multi-faceted environment that also offers a great work-life balance. In return we offer support and development to grow within our business alongside a competitive salary.
More About The Role
- Delivery of a range of food and catering services across a number of outlets in a complex, busy and multi-faceted environment
- The Head Chef will plan, organise and direct the preparation and cooking of food ensuring that the company’s reputation for quality is enhanced with customers and clients at all times
- Taking responsibility for the food production with a hands-on approach
- Driving sales through centrally driven menu planning and promotions and preferred suppliers
- Responsible for all aspects of food safety, HSE and COSHH
- The Head Chef will also be required to implement and maintain food monitoring procedures to facilitate budgetary control and to monitor all costs involved in the kitchen against agreed budgets
Who You Are
- Excellent and Innovative culinary and presentation skills
- Excellent Communication and Interpersonal skills
- Energetic with a passion to do a great job
- Able to manage staff in a calm, inspirational manner
- A forward-thinker who can prevent wastage
- Demonstrates a passion for food
- Team Player
- Excellent organisation skills
- Numerate and computer literate with an understanding of financial drivers
- A clear understanding of profit margins, purchasing policy, budgeting and food costing, including control
Please note: This role is contracted to 41 weeks per year.
About Us
As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses. Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Job Details
- Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
- Employment type: Full-time
- Job function: Management and Manufacturing
- Industries: Hospitality
Head Chef - London employer: Lodestone House
Contact Detail:
Lodestone House 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 hospitality industry, especially those who might know someone at Chartwells Independents. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, bring a dish or two to share during interviews or networking events. It’s a tasty way to demonstrate your passion and creativity in the kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for a hands-on interview! As a Head Chef, you might be asked to showcase your cooking skills on the spot. Brush up on your signature dishes and be ready to impress with your innovative flair.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities and updates about working with us at Chartwells Independents.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your culinary journey and what excites you about creating innovative menus. We want to see that spark!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills match the job description. Mention your experience in managing a team and your understanding of food safety – we’re looking for someone who can lead with confidence!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
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 this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lodestone House
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of dishes and ingredients that are popular in the catering industry. Be ready to discuss your own innovative ideas for menus that could enhance the company’s reputation for quality.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership skills during the interview. Share examples of how you've inspired and managed staff in previous roles, especially in high-pressure environments.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on food safety, HSE, and COSHH regulations before your interview. Being able to discuss how you implement these standards in the kitchen will show that you take food safety seriously and can maintain high standards.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Budgeting
Since managing costs is key in this role, prepare to talk about your experience with budgeting and food costing. Bring examples of how you've successfully controlled kitchen expenses while still delivering quality food.