Relief Head Chef

Salary

Up to £52,000 per annum.

Contract

5 out of 7 days per week, 40 hours a week, including evenings and weekends as required.

Location

RA Venues Relief Team – London based with travel across Hertfordshire, Cambridge, Surrey, and Sussex.

What We Offer

• A collaborative and inclusive culture where ideas are valued and creativity is encouraged.
• A chance to make a meaningful impact in a continuously growing sector.
• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays and national holiday days).
• Free staff meals while at work.
• Access to Compass Group company perks and benefits.
• Perks for Works discounts and promotions.
• Access to training, mentoring and development, with support from our wider Restaurant Associates and Compass Group UK networks.
• On‑site food and beverage discounts.
• No shortage of delicious food.
• Competitive pension contribution offer.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.

About the Role

We’re seeking a proactive, food‑focused Relief Head Chef to join the central culinary relief team for RA Venues. The successful candidate will provide high‑end culinary support across all contracts requiring additional head‑chef leadership, ensuring guests consistently enjoy the food sold and served across all outlets, with kitchens running efficiently, safely, and profitably. This mobile role will principally be London‑based (supporting five sites) but will also require travel across the wider estate, covering Hertfordshire, Cambridge, Surrey, and Sussex. Travel outside London will be reimbursed in line with Compass UK & I expense policy. The role demands an individual comfortable with frequent travel, independent driving, and commuting into London with ease.

The Relief Head Chef will work closely with the RA Venues Head of Culinary to uphold and elevate our food standards, fostering consistency and culinary excellence across the estate.

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 gross profit 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 Excellence – plan, coordinate and deliver high‑quality catering for large‑scale events, ensuring seamless execution and exceptional guest experiences.

About You

• Proven track record as an Executive Head Chef or Head Chef in a high‑volume, high‑quality environment, looking to step from a specific venue role to a central relief team.
• Experience within contract catering is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in large‑scale and special event catering, delivering high‑quality food and service under pressure.
• Inspirational leader capable of building high‑performing, motivated teams.
• Excellent organisational skills, especially during peak periods.
• Strategic thinker with vision for menu innovation and operational efficiency.
• 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.
• Enthusiastic about mentoring and developing future culinary leaders.
• Committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing.

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. We deliver catering and hospitality services to iconic visitor attractions and destinations across the UK, including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. Within these venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants, and deliver private events ranging from small meetings to large‑scale ground events of up to 1,000 people.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate across a wide range of teams and 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.

Job Reference: com/1405/43428001/52764038/R/SU #RA Venues