At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen, creating exceptional food experiences and innovative menus.
- Company: Join Sodexo, a global leader in improving quality of life through food and services.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, wellbeing support, discounts, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a prestigious corporate setting while showcasing your culinary creativity.
- Qualifications: Proven kitchen leadership experience and strong culinary skills required.
Location: North Wall Quay, Dublin
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: €53,000 - €63,000 per annum plus Sodexo benefits
We are looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead a high-performing kitchen operation, delivering exceptional food experiences, outstanding hospitality, and operational excellence within a prestigious corporate setting. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented culinary professional who combines creativity, leadership, and strong financial management skills with a genuine passion for food and customer service.
What You'll Be Doing
- Culinary & Operational Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day kitchen operation, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and service delivery.
- Deliver catering and hospitality services in line with agreed service standards, KPIs, and client expectations.
- Develop innovative and seasonal menus that enhance the customer experience.
- Maintain the highest standards of food preparation, production, presentation, and service.
- Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, motivate, and develop a team of chefs and kitchen staff.
- Conduct daily team briefings and foster a positive, collaborative working environment.
- Support training, coaching, and continuous professional development within the team.
- Promote a culture of accountability, engagement, and excellence.
- Financial & Commercial Management
- Manage food costs, labour budgets, and kitchen expenditure to achieve financial targets.
- Ensure all dishes and menus are accurately costed to deliver strong gross profit margins.
- Monitor stock levels, purchasing, and supplier performance.
- Identify opportunities to grow revenue and enhance the overall catering offer.
- Client & Hospitality Excellence
- Build strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
- Deliver outstanding hospitality services for senior leadership meetings, events, and corporate functions.
- Respond proactively to customer feedback and continuously improve service delivery.
- Support business development opportunities and innovative food concepts.
- Compliance & Safety
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, health & safety, and company policies.
- Maintain all relevant documentation, audits, and compliance records.
- Conduct regular equipment, safety, and operational checks.
- Champion best practices across all aspects of the catering operation.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience leading a kitchen team within corporate dining, hospitality, contract catering, or a high-volume foodservice environment.
- Strong culinary skills with a passion for innovation, quality, and customer experience.
- Experience delivering hospitality services for senior clients and corporate events.
- Excellent leadership and people management skills.
- Strong commercial awareness with experience managing food costs, labour budgets, and profitability.
- Knowledge of food safety legislation, HACCP principles, and health & safety compliance.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- A proactive, organised, and solution-focused approach.
Qualifications
- Professional Chef Qualification (City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2 or equivalent).
- Food Safety/HACCP certification.
- CIEH Training desirable.
- Manual Handling certification desirable.
- Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
Why Sodexo?
Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. Belong in a company and team that values you for you. Act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions. Thrive in your own way. We also offer a range of perks, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:
- Unlimited access to an online platform offering wellbeing support
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or life's larger problems, including legal and financial advice, support with work or personal issues impacting your wellbeing
- Access to a 24hr virtual GP Service
- Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 across popular high street retailers (also open to friends and family)
- Save for your future by becoming a member of the Pension Plan
- Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools
- Bike to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit
- Sodexo UK and Ireland's enhanced benefits and leave policies
A little more about Sodexo:
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, SoTogether, Generations and Origins. We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Dublin
✨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 Sodexo. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Sodexo
Don't be shy about reaching out to Sodexo 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 in Dublin
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 Sodexo 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 Sodexo
✨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!
