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- Tasks: Lead diverse kitchen teams, create exceptional dishes, and adapt to new environments across London.
- Company: Join Restaurant Associates, a leader in hospitality and food services.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, travel discounts, and wellness classes.
- Why this job: Embrace variety, boost team morale, and make a real impact in the culinary world.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or relief chef, with strong communication and leadership skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and personal development.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 62000 £ per year.
Are you an adaptable, confident chef who thrives on variety and loves stepping into new environments? We’re looking for a Head Chef to join our existing Relief Chef Team to support our operations across London, playing a key role in mobilising contracts, boosting team morale, and ensuring exceptional food standards wherever you go!
What You’ll Be Doing
- Providing chef cover Monday to Friday, with some evenings when required and occasional weekends. Overtime included.
- Travelling across London and occasionally beyond to support different sites.
- Acting as a key player in mobilising new contracts and helping teams settle into new operations.
- Comfortable in delivering great food in staff dining settings as well as high end hospitality.
- Working with brigades of all sizes - from small teams to large-scale operations.
- Bringing energy and optimism to sites that need a boost, helping turn challenges into success.
- Stepping in as part of the kitchen team - or taking the lead when needed.
- Attending supplier visits, tastings, and industry forums to stay ahead of trends and build relationships.
- Bringing energy, professionalism and flexibility to every site you support.
Who We’re Looking For
You’re someone who enjoys the unknown and welcomes each day as a fresh start. You will need to be:
- Adaptable & resilient - able to walk into a new environment and quickly assess what’s needed.
- Calm under pressure - confident tackling challenging sites or situations.
- A strong communicator - able to build rapport fast with both teams and clients.
- A team player & a leader - comfortable supporting others or taking charge.
- Experienced - either in a previous relief chef role or current Head Chef role and keen to broaden your experience across multiple sites.
We ensure you’re rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- 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.
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes.
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families.
About Us
Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplaces as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.
Head Chef employer: Restaurant Associates Careers
Contact Detail:
Restaurant Associates Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs and industry professionals. Attend food festivals, culinary events, or even local meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Head Chef position that’s not even advertised yet!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in person! If you can, offer to do a trial shift or a demo at a restaurant you're interested in. This gives you a chance to showcase your cooking style and adaptability, plus it helps you get a feel for the team and environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of social media! Follow restaurants and chefs on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. Engage with their content and share your own culinary creations. It’s a great way to get noticed and build relationships in the industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented chefs like you. Plus, it’s a straightforward way to get your application in front of the right people. Don’t miss out on your chance to shine!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Adaptability: As a Head Chef, adaptability is key! Make sure your application highlights your experience in different kitchen environments and how you thrive under pressure. We want to see how you can bring that energy and optimism to new sites!
Communicate Your Experience: We love a strong communicator! In your application, share specific examples of how you've built rapport with teams and clients in the past. This will show us you're not just a great chef, but also a fantastic team player and leader.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through! We’re looking for someone who welcomes each day as a fresh start. Don’t be afraid to express your passion for food and hospitality in your written application – it’s what makes you unique!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Restaurant Associates Careers
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your culinary skills and knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with different cuisines, cooking techniques, and how you handle various kitchen environments. This role requires adaptability, so showcasing your versatility will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead teams and boost morale. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen staff in the past, especially in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and build rapport quickly, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations, like handling a busy service or resolving conflicts within the team. Think about how you would approach these scenarios and be prepared to explain your thought process. This will demonstrate your calmness under pressure and problem-solving skills.
✨Research the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with the company’s values and culture. Understanding their approach to hospitality and teamwork will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for. Show enthusiasm for their mission and how you can contribute to their success, especially in mobilising new contracts.
