Baxterstorey - Head Chef in Milton Keynes

Great opportunities for growth and development.

• 20 days holiday including bank holidays plus your birthday as a paid day off.
• 26 weeks enhanced maternity leave.
• Secondary carer leave (enhanced; 4 weeks).
• Paid wedding/commitment day leave.
• Free meals on shift.
• Bespoke training and development opportunities.
• Pension and life insurance.
• Discounts available on our Perkbox app; high street shops, holidays & cinema.
• Access to employee assistance programme.
• Cycle to work scheme.

We are seeking an experienced and professional Head Chef to join BaxterStorey in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. As Head Chef, you will lead our culinary operations, overseeing food preparation, kitchen staff, and the delivery of exceptional dining experiences. You will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation whilst managing kitchen budgets and driving innovation in menu development. This is a permanent position offering the opportunity to showcase your culinary expertise and leadership capabilities within a dynamic contract catering environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the kitchen team, providing clear direction, mentoring, and performance feedback to ensure operational excellence.
• Plan, develop, and execute diverse menus that meet client requirements, dietary specifications, and seasonal availability.
• Oversee all food preparation, cooking, and plating to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to established standards.
• Maintain rigorous food safety, hygiene, and health and safety compliance across all kitchen operations.
• Manage kitchen budgets, control food costs, and optimise supplier relationships to achieve financial targets.
• Conduct regular staff training and induction programmes to develop culinary skills and maintain team competency.
• Monitor inventory levels, manage stock rotation, and minimise food waste through efficient resource management.
• Collaborate with management and clients to understand requirements and deliver tailored catering solutions.
• Conduct quality assurance checks and implement continuous improvement initiatives within the kitchen.
• Ensure all equipment is maintained to the highest standard and report maintenance issues promptly.
• Respond decisively to operational challenges and adapt menus or processes to meet changing client needs.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef in a contract catering or large-scale food production environment.
• Advanced culinary knowledge and expertise in a range of cooking techniques and cuisines.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing kitchen teams of varying sizes.
• Comprehensive understanding of food safety regulations, HACCP principles, and health and safety legislation.
• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in menu planning, recipe development, and cost analysis.
• Excellent people skills and the ability to communicate effectively with staff, clients, and suppliers.
• Detail-oriented approach to quality control and food presentation standards.
• Experience managing kitchen budgets and controlling food costs.
• Knowledge of dietary requirements and allergen management.

Desirable:

• Experience with contract catering operations and diverse client bases.
• Familiarity with kitchen management systems and inventory control software.
• Experience in staff scheduling and rostering.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We celebrate individuality and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.