Head Banqueting Chef
Location: The Lion Inn & Lion House, Boreham, Essex
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Job Type: Full Time
Hours: 48 Hours Per Week
About The Lion Inn
The Lion Inn is one of Essex's leading hospitality destinations, combining a premium gastropub restaurant, boutique hotel and thriving events business. Serving thousands of guests every week, we are a high-volume operation with an excellent reputation for quality food and exceptional hospitality. Alongside our busy restaurant, Lion House hosts weddings, corporate events, conferences and private celebrations throughout the year. We are now looking for an experienced and passionate Head Banqueting Chef to lead our banqueting kitchen and help deliver exceptional food experiences across our events operation.
About The Role
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced chef who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys the variety that comes with both banqueting and restaurant service. You will take responsibility for the planning, preparation and delivery of high-quality food for weddings, functions, conferences, private dining events and other banqueting occasions. During quieter event periods, you will work alongside the Head Chef and restaurant kitchen team within our premium scratch-cook gastropub operation. As such, we are looking for a chef who is equally comfortable producing high-volume banqueting menus and high-quality restaurant dishes from fresh ingredients.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day operation of the banqueting kitchen.
- Prepare, cook and present high-quality food for weddings, private events, conferences and functions.
- Ensure consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and guest satisfaction.
- Manage food preparation, service and event execution from start to finish.
- Work closely with the Events Team to ensure seamless delivery of all functions.
- Support menu development and event food planning.
- Maintain exceptional standards of food safety, hygiene and allergen compliance.
- Manage stock control, ordering and food cost management, minimising waste wherever possible.
- Train, mentor and develop junior kitchen team members.
- Support the wider kitchen team as required.
- During quieter banqueting periods, work within the main restaurant kitchen, supporting service and food preparation.
- Be flexible and willing to assist across all kitchen operations to meet business demands.
About You
- Has previous experience as a Head Chef, Banqueting Chef, Senior Sous Chef or similar role within a high-volume hospitality environment.
- Has experience catering for weddings, functions and large-scale events.
- Has a strong background in fresh food cooking and premium gastropub dining.
- Is organised, reliable and able to perform calmly under pressure.
- Has excellent leadership and team management skills.
- Demonstrates a genuine passion for food and high standards.
- Has a strong understanding of food safety, HACCP and allergen management.
- Is commercially aware and understands food margins, stock control and labour management.
- Can adapt between banqueting and restaurant operations depending on business requirements.
- Has excellent attention to detail and takes pride in delivering exceptional food every time.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Share of tips.
- 25% Employee discount across The Lion Inn and Coaching Inn Group.
- Chef whites provided and laundered
- Employee recognition through our hero of the Month and Hero of the Year awards
- Exclusive annual £1 stay at one of our hotels across the group.
- Pension scheme.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Career progression within a growing hospitality business.
- A supportive and ambitious kitchen team.
- The opportunity to work within one of Essex's busiest and most successful hospitality venues.
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Head Banquet Chef in Boreham employer: The Coaching Inn Group
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