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- Tasks: Lead and innovate culinary offerings at a historic venue, ensuring high-quality food delivery.
- Company: Join Restaurant Associates, a premium hospitality provider with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 20 days holiday, free meals, staff parking, and access to events.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a dynamic environment while showcasing your culinary creativity.
- Qualifications: 3+ years as a Head Chef in high-volume settings, strong leadership, and organisational skills.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth within a supportive, values-driven culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 54000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Hatfield House
Salary: Up to ÂŁ45,000 per annum + paid overtime
Contract: Full‑Time 40‑hour contract, Permanent, 5 out of 7 days with occasional evenings for events
About The Role
As Head Chef at Hatfield House, you will be joining this renowned historic visitor attraction to lead and develop the on‑site culinary offering. This role is responsible for the food provision across a multi‑outlet catering operation, based within the Coach House Kitchen Restaurant, Riding School Events, and Old Palace Events. The catering operation includes a combination of visitor dining and large‑scale events, requiring a Head Chef with strong experience in high‑volume, high‑quality food delivery. You will oversee kitchen teams across all areas, ensuring consistent standards, efficient operations, and full compliance with food safety requirements, while maintaining a strong commercial focus. Success in this role will be reflected in positive visitor feedback, well‑run kitchens, and effective collaboration with the client. The Head Chef will play an important role in ensuring the catering offer enhances the overall visitor experience and supports the continued success of Hatfield House.
Key Responsibilities
- Menu Development & Innovation – Create and adapt menus that appeal to a broad visitor base, including family‑friendly options, dietary requirements, and seasonal specials.
- Operational Excellence – Oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring compliance with food safety legislation, company policies, and contractual obligations.
- Leadership & Team Development – Recruit, train, and inspire a motivated kitchen team, fostering a positive and professional working culture.
- Cost Control & Profitability – Manage budgets, control wastage, and achieve GP targets without compromising quality.
- Collaboration – Work closely with front‑of‑house teams, site management, and the client to deliver a consistent and memorable food experience.
- Event Catering – Plan and deliver high‑quality catering for large‑scale events across the venue, ensuring operational efficiency and visitor satisfaction.
The Ideal Candidate
- Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Head Chef in high‑volume, high‑quality environments, including both restaurant and events catering.
- Experience within visitor attractions and contract catering is highly desirable.
- Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to lead by example.
- Excellent organisational skills, especially during peak periods.
- Sound knowledge of food trends, allergens, and dietary requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to achieve financial targets while maintaining high quality.
- Good IT and Microsoft Office skills.
- Passionate about food and hospitality with a strong customer focus.
- Adaptable and resilient in a fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment.
- Creative, commercially aware, and results driven.
- Committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing.
What We Offer
- 20 days holiday + bank holidays
- Free staff parking
- Free staff meals whilst working on site
- Free access to Hatfield House and discounted events
- Compass reward scheme
- A supportive, values‑driven culture within cohesive teams
- Opportunities for growth and development within a national business
- A chance to make a meaningful impact in a continuously growing sector
About Us
Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitality provider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high‑quality dining in London and New York. Within our venues team, we provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of teams plus a commitment to putting our people first. Restaurant Associates is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a business, we are committed to sustainability led practices and are proud to have achieved 3 stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good Programme.
Head Chef in Hatfield employer: Restaurant Associates UK
Contact Detail:
Restaurant Associates UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Hatfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Connect with fellow chefs and industry professionals on social media or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! Consider hosting a pop-up event or a tasting session to showcase your menu ideas. This not only highlights your creativity but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to restaurants or venues you admire. A well-crafted email expressing your interest can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented chefs like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Hatfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in high-volume, high-quality environments. Share specific examples of menu development and how you've led kitchen teams to success.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and responsibilities to make it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the role of Head Chef at Hatfield House. Mention your passion for food and hospitality, and how you can enhance the visitor experience through your culinary expertise.
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Restaurant Associates UK
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with current food trends and dietary requirements. Be ready to discuss how you would innovate and adapt menus for a diverse visitor base, including family-friendly options and seasonal specials.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led kitchen teams in high-pressure environments. Highlight your experience in recruiting, training, and inspiring staff, as well as how you foster a positive working culture.
✨Demonstrate Operational Excellence
Be ready to talk about your approach to managing kitchen operations, ensuring compliance with food safety legislation, and maintaining high standards during peak periods. Share specific instances where you’ve improved efficiency or quality.
✨Discuss Financial Acumen
Since cost control and profitability are key aspects of the role, come prepared with examples of how you’ve managed budgets and achieved financial targets without compromising on quality. This will show your commercial awareness and results-driven mindset.
