At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead culinary operations, create menus, and ensure exceptional food quality.
- Company: Join a leading conference venue and hotel brand at Loughborough University.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, free gym access, birthday leave, and a pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on guest experiences and lead a passionate kitchen team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Head Chef with strong leadership and culinary skills.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 45000 £ per year.
Application Closing Date: Monday, 03 August 2026
Position: Full time (37.5 hours per week)
Annual Salary: 43,000 - 45,000 per annum, depending on experience
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Paid leave day to celebrate your birthday
- Free access to on-site gym facilities at Burleigh Springs
- Free meal on shift
- Christmas closure - enjoy time off over the festive period
- Free on site car parking
- Enrolment into company pension scheme
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head Chef to join one of the UK's leading conference venue and hotel brands. In this key role, you will lead the culinary operations at Burleigh Court Hotel and Holywell Park Conference Centre ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, and guest satisfaction across all dining and event experiences. You will be responsible for leading and developing the kitchen team, overseeing menu creation, managing costs, maintaining the highest standards of food safety and health and safety compliance, and contributing to the commercial success of the business.
What You'll Do
Key responsibilities will be to:
- Develop, design, and update menus for Burleigh Court Hotel and Holywell Park
- Ensure consistency, quality, and presentation of dishes to the highest standards
- Ensure full compliance with food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, Food Hygiene Standards) and train all team on hygiene, food handling, and safety procedures
- Cater for diverse dietary requirements, including allergens, vegetarian, vegan, and special diets
- Manage food cost percentages and kitchen budgets to achieve food revenue targets, control portion sizes, waste, and stock levels to maximise profitability
- Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring a smooth and efficient service
- Implement and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Plan and coordinate staffing levels, schedule rotas and manage labour costs
- Recruit, train, and develop the kitchen team
- Conduct monthly 1:1s, performance reviews and provide coaching and mentoring to foster a positive, motivated and high-performing team
- Promote a culture of teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement
- Monitor stock usage and conduct regular inventory checks
- Conduct regular safety checks and risk assessments
About You
We are looking for an experienced and creative Head Chef with exceptional culinary expertise. You will have a proven experience of successfully leading and developing high-performing kitchen teams, ideally within a 4-star full-service hotel or conference venue. Together with significant experience managing, motivating and developing a large kitchen team, you will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a strong understanding of food cost control and kitchen financials. You will be passionate about delivering high quality food and maintaining consistently high standards across all areas of the kitchen, ensuring exceptional quality, presentation and service. Experience in banqueting and events catering would be highly desirable.
About Us:
Based at Loughborough University Campus, our brand portfolio includes: Burleigh Court Hotel and Conference Centre, Holywell Park Day Conference Centre, The Link Hotel, The Elite Athlete Centre and Hotel, Loughborough University Nursery. Every year we host over 92,000 delegates from around the world; we service over 90,000 bedrooms; we serve over 200,000 meals; we take over 30 million in enquiries. With excellent customer service at the core of our offer, we are recognised as a leading academic venue, winning multiple awards and accreditations in customer service, business tourism and people management. We achieve this by putting our guests at the heart of everything we do. We take workplace engagement seriously and are proud to have been awarded the Best Companies accreditation as very good to work for 2025. Simply put, we're trying to make Imago Venues a place where people love to be. We care about our people and we're kind to each other. We're ambitious, ethical, sustainable and, most importantly, we're accountable.
If you're an ambitious and passionate Head Chef with a proven ability to deliver outstanding guest experiences, develop high-performing teams, and maintain strong operational partnerships, we'd love to hear from you.
To apply for the position, log onto the Imago website. To find out more about the role click here.
Closing date: 3rd August 2026
Imago Venues are an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident Committed Employer.
Head Chef, Loughborough employer: Loughborough University
Loughborough University is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of advanced battery technologies. With a strong commitment to employee growth, this PhD studentship provides not only comprehensive funding but also extensive training opportunities, making it an ideal environment for aspiring researchers to thrive and contribute to meaningful advancements in climate-resilient energy solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef, Loughborough
✨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 Loughborough University. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Loughborough University
Don't be shy about reaching out to Loughborough University 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, Loughborough
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 Loughborough University 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 Loughborough University
✨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!
