Head Chef

Overview

Are you a people-first Head Chef who thrives in high-volume environments? Passionate about leading teams, driving standards, and delivering food at scale without compromising on quality?

We’re looking for a strong, commercially minded Head Chef to lead a large-scale staff dining operation serving up to 3,000 covers daily. This is a dynamic, food-led site where leadership, structure, and innovation are key.

Working hours are typically 7:00am – 3:30pm, with evenings required every few weeks.

What you’ll be doing as Head Chef

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team through inclusive leadership, coaching, and development
• Oversee food delivery across a multi-outlet building, with CDPs and Sous Chefs rotating and reporting into you
• Ensure exceptional execution of all menu offerings in line with client standards and brand values
• Implement seasonal, balanced menu cycles aligned with nutrition and sustainability goals
• Use performance data to drive consistency, efficiency, and continuous improvement
• Manage staffing costs, reducing agency and overtime spend where possible
• Maintain full purchasing compliance and operational efficiency
• Minimise food waste and ensure accurate recording and reuse
• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, hygiene, and environmental standards
• Champion innovation across food, service, and kitchen operations

What you’ll need to succeed as Head Chef

• Minimum 10 years’ kitchen experience, including at least 3 years as a Head Chef
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to manage cost controls in a high-volume setting
• Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop teams in fast-paced environments
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Background in restaurant kitchens, banqueting and events experience welcome
• Contract catering experience a bonus
• Commitment to health, safety, and maintaining exceptional standards

If you’re looking for a leadership role where you can make a genuine impact across a large-scale operation while still having creative input and team ownership, this could be the next step in your career.

We ensure you\’re rewarded for all your hard work—we offer

• Paid overtime
• 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 workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Job Reference: com/1202/91446001/52741192/SU #RA Group

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!