Area Chef

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Oxford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Life assurance

Employee assistance

Discount platform

Training & development

Career progression

Generous holiday

Multiple-site role

Job summary

Aramark UK are recruiting an Area Chef to join our team in Headington, Oxford. You will support multiple catering operations across sites, providing culinary leadership, ensuring high food quality, and delivering exceptional customer satisfaction.

This role offers variety and autonomy, with opportunities to mentor kitchen teams, drive menu planning, control food costs, and travel between sites to uphold standards. We value flexibility, travel readiness, and a passion for hospitality.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or similar senior culinary role.
• Strong culinary skills and knowledge of current food trends.
• Ability to lead multiple teams and manage budgets.
• Flexibility to travel between sites for operations.

Responsibilities

• Support multiple catering operations across the region.
• Deliver high-quality food and ensure consistent standards.
• Provide cover for Chef Managers and Head Chefs as needed.
• Assist with menu planning, food prep and service delivery.
• Coach culinary teams to achieve operational excellence.
• Monitor food quality, presentation and customer satisfaction.
• Assist with stock control, ordering and food cost mgmt.
• Ensure food safety and health & safety compliance.

Skills

Head Chef

Chef Manager

Culinary leadership

Budget management

Food safety knowledge

Job description

At Aramark we empower our people to create experiences that matter.

We share a passion for hospitality, it's at the foundation of everything we do. Hospitality excellence is brought to life by our people every day. We embrace our responsibility to our people, our communities, and our planet. While the services we provide, and the industries we serve, are extensive, we never waver from our people-first approach.

Job Description

Aramark UK are currently recruiting for an Area Chef to join our team in Headington, Oxford.

Are you a talented and passionate chef looking for a role that offers variety, autonomy, and the opportunity to make a real impact? We are seeking an experienced Area Chef to support multiple catering operations across our sites, providing culinary expertise, operational support, and leadership to ensure exceptional food quality and customer satisfaction.

This is an exciting opportunity for a versatile chef who enjoys working across different locations, supporting teams, and driving culinary excellence.

What's in it for you?

• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Employee assistance programme
• Employee discounts and benefits platform
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Career progression within a global organisation
• Generous holiday entitlement
• A varied role with opportunities to work across multiple sites

What you'll be doing

• Supporting multiple catering operations across the region
• Delivering high-quality food and ensuring consistency of standards across all locations
• Providing cover for Chef Managers and Head Chefs during periods of absence
• Supporting kitchen teams with menu planning, food preparation, and service delivery
• Coaching and developing culinary teams to achieve operational excellence
• Monitoring food quality, presentation, and customer satisfaction
• Assisting with stock control, ordering, and food cost management
• Ensuring compliance with food safety, health & safety, and company procedures
• Supporting the mobilisation of new contracts and business initiatives where required
• Driving innovation and sharing best practices across sites

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Chef Manager, Sous Chef, or similar senior culinary role
• A strong passion for food and hospitality
• Excellent culinary skills and knowledge of current food trends
• The ability to build strong working relationships with a variety of teams
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Experience managing food costs and maintaining budgetary controls
• A flexible approach and willingness to travel between sites
• Sound knowledge of food hygiene and health & safety regulations

Additional Information

At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive.

As a proud Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey.

We are an Armed Forces Friendly organisation and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, cadet forces adult volunteers, reservists and military families.

For roles requiring security clearance, any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion and maintenance of the required level of security clearance. Applicants must meet the relevant eligibility and residency requirements applicable to that level of clearance.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all employees and workers to share this commitment. Where relevant to the role, safer recruitment checks will apply, including referencesand an enhanced DBS checkin line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any adjustments or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team – [e-mail]

Join us in fostering a workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.