Head Chef in Bicester

Who Are Absolute Taste and What Do We Do? We are an innovative culinary and customer service provider, dedicated to delivering inspirational food and experiences that redefine customer satisfaction. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for pushing boundaries, we continue to grow from strength to strength. As a small, dynamic team of event professionals, we specialize in creating exciting, well-managed, and sustainable events, while fostering strong working relationships. We're looking for individuals who share our fun, resilient, and hardworking values to join our supportive, high-performing team. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a highly regarded organisation dedicated to success and a positive, empowering culture.

About the Role: Absolute Taste is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head Chef to lead our exceptional culinary experiences across a portfolio of exciting and high-profile events. From large-scale Formula One hospitality and prestigious golf championships to private and corporate events, you will be at the forefront of creating unforgettable dining experiences. This role is ideal for a passionate and skilled chef who thrives in a fast-paced, creative environment and relishes the opportunity to lead large teams in delivering extraordinary food and service that leave a lasting impression.

Your key responsibilities as Head Chef:

• General: Full Culinary lead and accountable for a major event, along with smaller events at other times of the year, to include writing and costing of all menus in accordance of food budgets, along with recruiting of staff.
• Key client contact from a culinary perspective.
• Perform an event leadership role across all culinary functions.
• Providing direction and motivation to all teams.
• To ensure the overall delivery and management of the kitchen operations for projects is to the required standards.
• Be able to communicate progress clearly, accurately and transparently to key internal and external stakeholders.
• Form part of the strategic team, ensuring the overarching goals of the project are achieved.
• Management of ‘on site’ team and ability to scale up and adapt management between pre event and on event requirements.
• Responsible for sourcing, managing and controlling of ingredients, with support from procurement team.
• Actively seek efficiencies in operational deliveries with regards to food COS, supplier networks and resource for both hospitality and retail.
• Development of all kitchen operational aspects of the event and to work to strict budgets whilst striving for great food and service.
• Strict procurement management, to make sure targets and budgets are adhered to.

Budget & Finance:

• Fully control and are accountable for the food and kitchen labour budgets of key events, alongside future forecasting and reforecasting throughout the year, reporting financials into project lead.
• To work alongside Finance department and Project Lead for ongoing management of the budget, including forecasting, tracking spend.
• Tracking all associated spends, including but not limited to; food, labour and kitchen equipment.
• Working closely with the procurement team to facilitate invoicing, tracking orders and deliveries and reconciliations for each key event.
• Follow company finance processes; raising PO’s, receipts, submitting supplier invoices to finance.
• Maintain a good knowledge of seasonal ingredients and food costs and ensure cost pressures across all areas are regularly reviewed and adapted in order to mitigate these increases.
• Work closely with project lead to research and determine the overall F&B strategy, to include; Local food trends to each location, Look and feel for each location, Hospitality trends, Development of the team and hospitality offers at each location.

Onsite:

• Attendance of major event, smaller events and supporting wider team on relevant projects.
• Act as key member of the event delivery team.
• Responsible for ensuring all chefs are providing best in class hospitality and team food.
• Develop and provide kitchen packs and briefings to all chefs ensuring all key information is provided.
• Responsibility for the management and kitchen production across site in line with company guidelines.
• Management of all procurement, stock and waste reporting.
• Calm and decisive in challenging, stressful situations.
• Managing suppliers and freight alongside the logistics team; leading the kitchen set up and pack down processes.
• Planning, organising, and managing the daily operations of all kitchen staff to ensure efficiency.
• Identify and implement ways to further enhance the food offer.
• Ensure all records and reports are fully completed, up-to-date and comply with local and company food safety and health and safety policies.
• Ensure all allergen documents are always completed and up to date.

Other:

• Excellent team relationship building and recruitment of chefs.
• A variety of operational and planning experience for greenfield events.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with all client stakeholders and internal teams.
• Produce and maintain all packing lists for kitchen kit for each event alongside Logistics Managers.
• Design and continuously improve and implement processes to ensure the smooth running of the event.
• Enforce adherence to regulations, quality and safety standards in accordance with local laws.
• Develop and communicate standard operating procedures to all kitchen staff.
• Ensure supplies and equipment are adequate in quantity and quality together with operations manager.
• Attend the post-event debrief.
• International event and/or F1 experience.
• Organised, punctual, motivational, and with varied communication skills, (formal, informal, international).
• To be conversant with all company codes of conduct.

What We’re Looking For:

• Senior Head Chef experience — proven leadership within events, catering or hospitality.
• Team leadership — ability to inspire, motivate and manage large, diverse kitchen teams.
• Menu development — exceptional menu writing, creativity and awareness of food trends, dietary needs and sustainability.
• Event planning — strong organisational and time‑management skills, including greenfield event delivery.
• Cost & budget control — confident managing budgets, costings and food ordering systems.
• Food safety expertise — thorough understanding of hygiene, safety and allergen regulations.
• Procurement & stock control — experience managing suppliers, purchasing and inventory.
• Calm under pressure — decisive, solutions‑focused and able to troubleshoot operational challenges quickly.
• Team building & recruitment — strong relationship‑building and hiring capability.
• Flexibility — able to work evenings, weekends and travel internationally as required.
• Organised & communicative — punctual, structured and confident with adaptable communication.
• Formula One or motorsport exposure.

Why Join Absolute Taste? Working with us means joining a fast‑growing, innovative company that is redefining culinary and event experiences. You’ll be part of a supportive, resilient team that values creativity, development, and having fun at work.

What you’ll get:

• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Thorough training and ongoing development.
• A positive, empowering culture where your growth matters.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.