Executive Chef

Holroyd Howe; Lee; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in the UK is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the culinary team at Ellesmere College. Responsibilities include creating exceptional menus, managing kitchen operations, and ensuring food quality and safety. The ideal candidate will have experience in contract catering and strong leadership skills. Benefits include volunteer days, enhanced maternity leave, bespoke training, and more.

Benefits

Volunteering days

Enhanced maternity leave

Free meals while at work

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef in contract catering.
• Strong team management skills.
• Passionate about quality ingredients.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations ensuring high standards.
• Create innovative menus tailored to the school.
• Manage staff recruitment and training.

Skills

Leadership

Menu creation

Food safety

Budget management

Communication

Organizational skills

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Executive Chef to lead the culinary team at Ellesmere College. You will be responsible for creating exceptional menus, managing kitchen operations, and delivering outstanding food experiences to our pupils, staff, and visitors. Ellesmere caters for 152 boarders, 310 daytime students and a team of 150 staff on site, with lots of hospitality events.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and presentation
• Create innovative and seasonal menus tailored to the school's requirements
• Manage kitchen staff recruitment, training, and development
• Control budgets, stock, and supplier relationships efficiently
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, health & safety, and safeguarding policies
• Collaborate with the wider catering and school teams to deliver outstanding customer experiences

Qualifications

• Ideally, you will have experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef within a contract catering environment, preferably in independent education, or a high-profile business and industry setting
• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Passionate about fresh, quality ingredients and innovative menus
• Excellent organisational, communication, and financial management skills
• Knowledge of current food trends, sustainability, and allergen control
• Right to Work in the UK

Benefits

• 3 volunteering days to give back to causes you care about
• 3 days grandparent leave for those special family moments
• 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
• Bespoke training & development opportunities
• Pension & life insurance
• Discounts on high street brands, cinema & holidays via the Perkbox App
• Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
• Free meals while at work
• Career development & HIT Apprenticeships for all experience levels