Creative Head Chef: Lead Food Strategy & Team

Chartwells Independent; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Group UK is seeking a creative Head Chef for a high-end contract catering site in Reading. You will lead the food operation, delivering outstanding restaurant, hospitality and coffee bar offerings, while developing a strategic food plan and guiding a talented kitchen team.

You’ll drive menu engineering, costs, and service delivery, balancing creativity with commercial objectives. This role requires leadership, strong communication with senior stakeholders and a passion for delivering

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef in contract catering, hospitality, events or similar complex operation.
• Strong hospitality and service delivery experience.
• Passion for sustainability, innovation and modern food concepts.
• Strong commercial knowledge: food costs, purchasing, menu engineering and financial management.
• Proven experience leading and developing kitchen teams.
• Excellent communication skills for presenting ideas to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day running of the high-quality contract catering operation.
• Own kitchen operations, processes, standards and service delivery.
• Direct the food offer across restaurant, hospitality and coffee bar.
• Oversee hospitality and events, delivering exceptional food and service.
• Manage food costs, purchasing, stock, labour and financial performance.
• Lead menu engineering, pricing and commercial development.
• Create innovative, seasonal menus across all food service areas.
• Collaborate with client and management to deliver a bold food strategy.
• Motivate and develop the kitchen team; maintain high food quality and safety standards.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Contract catering

Hospitality service

Menu engineering

Food cost control

Team leadership

Stakeholder communication

Job description

Compass Group UK is seeking a creative Head Chef for a high-end contract catering site in Reading. You will lead the food operation, delivering outstanding restaurant, hospitality and coffee bar offerings, while developing a strategic food plan and guiding a talented kitchen team.

You’ll drive menu engineering, costs, and service delivery, balancing creativity with commercial objectives. This role requires leadership, strong communication with senior stakeholders and a passion for delivering