Executive Chef - Bedford School

Chartwells; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in the UK is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead a large team in a prestigious independent school. The role involves ensuring high-quality food preparation and a focus on culinary excellence while managing food safety and budgetary control. Ideal candidates will have proven experience in a similar role, superb culinary skills, and a passion for food innovation while providing excellent customer service.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programs

Healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Food shop discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Wellness classes

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Executive Chef or Head Chef for large numbers.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Strong passion for food and customer service.
• Understanding of food trends and innovation.
• High standards and quality-driven.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct food preparation and cooking.
• Ensure company reputation for quality is upheld.
• Responsible for food safety, health and safety standards.
• Implement and maintain food monitoring procedures.
• Manage food production for pupils and events.

Skills

People skills

Culinary skills

Customer service

Food innovation

Financial understanding

Organizational skills

Job description

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un‑wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

Fantastic Opportunity at prestigious Independent School

Compass Group is the leading provider of catering and support services in the UK. We provide innovative catering, hospitality and food service solutions by creating imaginative menus delivered with an exceptional service, and our people are even better!

We know that great food comes from great ingredients. Our chefs use seasonal produce, adding their own individual creativity to let the food speak for itself. We pride ourselves on being able to provide a diverse range of cuisines that keep up to date with today’s trends ensuring we offer a great dining experience.

We nurture and develop our teams to enrich their skills, which allows them to show their passion and inspiration – an aspect we are proud to encourage.

You will be leading a large team that supports high‑quality food in an exceptional environment, promoting passion and enthusiasm, and a passion for preparing exciting, fresh and nutritious food on a daily basis.

We are looking for a talented and experienced Executive Chef to join a great existing team at this prospective and prestigious contract, helping us to further enhance the food offer working alongside the senior leadership team on site. This is a busy and challenging role, and requires exceptionally talented individuals.

In return we offer support and development to grow within our business alongside a competitive salary.

More about the role:

• The Executive Chef will plan, organise and direct the preparation and cooking of food, ensuring that the company’s reputation for quality is enhanced with customers and clients at all times.
• Adopt a hands‑on approach taking responsibility for food production covering pupil and staff feeding along with an extensive range of hospitality and events.
• Possess an exceptional drive for quality for hospitality events.
• Responsible for all aspects of food safety, H&S and COSHH.
• The Executive Chef will also be required to implement and maintain food monitoring procedures to facilitate budgetary control and to monitor all costs involved in the kitchen against agreed budgets.

Who you are:

• Proven experience in a role as Executive Chef or Head Chef, being able to demonstrate a track record of catering for large numbers and making the customer feel that their meal has been individually prepared for them.
• Have great people skills and be able to communicate at all levels, lead, develop, train, motivate and inspire a large team.
• Show a real passion for food whilst demonstrating excellent customer service.
• Food innovation and development is essential, along with being up to date with current food trends.
• Superb culinary skills.
• Excellent financial understanding.
• High standards and be quality‑driven.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• A ‘Can do’ attitude and hands‑on approach.

About Us

As part of Compass you’ll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/2111/41031001/52750022/R/SU #Independent

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!