Executive Chef

Chartwells Independent; Southampton; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Chartwells Independent, Southampton, is seeking an Executive Chef to lead a high-quality Eurest catering operation. You will take overall responsibility for the culinary operation from menu development through to service, creating fresh menus that showcase seasonal produce and leading the kitchen team to exceptional standards.

You’ll manage food costs, stock and budgets while ensuring food safety and a standout customer experience.

Qualifications

• Experience as Executive Chef, Head Chef or senior culinary leader.
• Strong menu planning and food cost management skills.
• Ability to lead and develop kitchen staff.
• Organised and calm under pressure; focus on quality and consistency.

Responsibilities

• Taking overall responsibility for the culinary operation, from menu development through to service.
• Creating fresh, exciting and innovative menus that showcase great ingredients and seasonal produce.
• Leading, inspiring and developing the kitchen team to achieve exceptional standards.
• Maintaining high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Managing food costs, GP, stock, waste and kitchen budgets.
• Ensuring full compliance with food safety, hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Working closely with the wider management team and client to deliver an outstanding customer experience.
• Driving culinary innovation and continuously looking for ways to improve the food offer.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu planning

Food cost management

Team development

Food safety compliance

Customer experience focus

Job description

Executive Chef - Southampton

£45,000 per annum | 40 hours per week

Are you an ambitious and creative chef ready to take the lead? We’re looking for an Executive Chef to join our Eurest team in Southampton and bring your passion, creativity and culinary expertise to a high-quality catering operation.

This is an exciting opportunity for a chef who wants to make their mark, lead from the front and create food experiences that genuinely stand out.

What you’ll be doing

• Taking overall responsibility for the culinary operation, from menu development through to service.
• Creating fresh, exciting and innovative menus that showcase great ingredients and seasonal produce.
• Leading, inspiring and developing the kitchen team to achieve exceptional standards.
• Maintaining consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Managing food costs, GP, stock, waste and kitchen budgets.
• Ensuring full compliance with food safety, hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Working closely with the wider management team and client to deliver an outstanding customer experience.
• Driving culinary innovation and continuously looking for ways to improve the food offer.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for an experienced Executive Chef, Head Chef or senior culinary leader who is passionate about food and takes pride in delivering exceptional standards.

You’ll be:

• A confident and inspiring kitchen leader.
• Creative, knowledgeable and commercially aware.
• Experienced in menu planning and food cost management.
• Passionate about developing people and nurturing culinary talent.
• Organised and calm under pressure.
• Focused on quality, consistency and customer experience.

Why join Eurest?

At Eurest, we believe food should be more than just a meal. We create better food, better experiences and better breaks, and we’re looking for chefs who share our passion.

If you’re ready to lead a talented team, put your creativity on the plate and take the culinary experience to the next level, we’d love to hear from you.