Executive Chef

Mint People; Bridgwater; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on duty

Retail, restaurant & gym discounts

Enhanced parental leave

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Mint People is seeking an Executive Chef in Somerset to lead a prestigious, high-volume catering operation. You will oversee multiple kitchens and sites, directing a team of around 25 and delivering around 4,000 meals daily with a focus on fresh, seasonal food and exceptional presentation.

You will drive menu development, client engagement, cost control and financial performance while maintaining top-tier food safety standards and staff development across the operation.

Qualifications

• Experience managing multiple kitchens and high-volume catering operations.
• Experience delivering high-end banqueting and events.
• Proven ability to lead a sizeable kitchen team and develop staff.
• Strong financial and budgeting knowledge including cost control.
• Flexibility to support a seven-day operation.

Responsibilities

• Lead from the front across multiple kitchens and buildings.
• Oversee production of around 4,000 meals per day.
• Manage a complex multi-site operation with 25 kitchen staff.
• Develop menus and support client presentations for events.
• Ensure exceptional food quality, safety and compliance.
• Monitor food costs, labour, stock and budgets and address variances.
• Recruit, train and mentor the wider kitchen team.
• Drive continuous improvement across food, service and commercial performance.

Skills

People leadership

High-volume catering

Menu development

Food safety

Cost control

Banqueting events

Staff training

Stakeholder management

Education

Level 3 Food Safety qualification

Job description

Executive Chef – Somerset

Salary: £75,000 per annum
Permanent | Full Time | 40 Hours Per Week
52-Week Operation

We are recruiting an exceptional Executive Chef to lead a prestigious, large-scale catering operation in Somerset.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced senior chef who combines culinary excellence with strong commercial, operational and people leadership skills.

You will oversee a substantial multi-kitchen operation producing approximately 4,000 meals per day, alongside an impressive hospitality, events and high-end banqueting offering.

Leading a kitchen team of approximately 25 colleagues, you will have overall responsibility for food quality, menu development, team performance, financial controls and the continued development of the catering operation.

The Role

As Executive Chef, you will lead from the front and take ownership of the day-to-day culinary operation across multiple kitchens and buildings.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading, motivating and developing a kitchen team of approximately 25

• Overseeing production of around 4,000 meals per day

• Managing a complex multi-kitchen and multi-site operation

• Delivering exceptional fresh, seasonal and innovative food

• Leading high-end banqueting, functions, buffets and special events

• Developing menus and supporting client presentations

• Maintaining consistently high standards of food quality and presentation

• Managing food costs, labour, stock and departmental budgets

• Reviewing financial performance and addressing variances

• Controlling rotas, payroll, overtime and agency expenditure

• Working closely with senior operational teams and key stakeholders

• Recruiting, training, mentoring and developing the wider kitchen team

• Driving continuous improvement across food, service and commercial performance

• Ensuring the highest standards of food safety, Health & Safety and compliance

About You

We are looking for an accomplished Executive Chef, Head Chef or senior culinary leader with experience managing a significant, high-volume catering operation.

Large-scale, multi-site and high-end banqueting experience is essential.

You will ideally have:

• Experience managing multiple kitchens and complex catering operations

• A background in high-volume food production, ideally at around 4,000 meals per day

• Extensive experience delivering high-end banqueting and events

• Proven experience leading and developing a sizeable kitchen team

• Strong financial and commercial management skills

• Excellent understanding of food costs, labour, stock control and budgeting

• A passion for fresh, seasonal food and creative menu development

• Strong client and stakeholder management skills

• The ability to balance strategic leadership with a hands-on approach

• Excellent organisation and attention to detail

• A strong understanding of food safety, hygiene and Health & Safety

• Level 3 Food Safety qualification would be advantageous

• Flexibility to support a seven-day operation, including occasional evening and weekend events

What's On Offer

£75,000 per annum alongside an excellent benefits package including:

• Free meals whilst on duty

• Retail, restaurant and gym discounts

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave

• Volunteer leave

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Recommend a Friend bonus

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Workplace pension

• Individual training and development

• Established apprenticeship programme

• Team and company social events

• Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract catering business

This is a standout opportunity for an experienced Executive Chef looking to take ownership of a high-profile, large-scale operation with the scope to make a genuine impact.