Executive Chef – Contract Catering & Hospitality Lead

Compass Group UK; Durnford Farm; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways & MyLearning

Healthcare benefits for you and family

Travel discounts with major providers

Cinema discounts

Cash rewards

Wellbeing & fitness classes

Discounts for friends & family

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking an exceptional Executive Chef to lead a high-volume, high-end contract catering operation delivering outstanding staff dining and premium hospitality. This client-facing role requires strong leadership, relationship-building with senior stakeholders, and a passion for culinary excellence.

You will manage a large brigade, drive innovation, maintain top food safety standards, and collaborate with operations and hospitality teams to exceed client expectations.

Qualifications

• Proven Executive Chef experience in high-end contract catering.
• Experience delivering staff dining and premium hospitality.
• Excellent client relationship management and ability to engage senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading large kitchen brigades and developing talent.
• Collaborative leader with a passion for mentoring chefs.
• Strong operational and organisational skills helpful for high-volume catering.
• Creativity in menu concepts and hospitality innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lead a large-scale contract catering operation across staff dining and premium hospitality.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, acting as culinary lead on site.
• Deliver outstanding hospitality experiences; ensure events reflect highest culinary standards.
• Collaborate with senior teams to provide seamless service across operations.
• Present monthly food concepts and seasonal menus to clients.
• Inspire and develop a brigade of 15 chefs, fostering a high-performing kitchen culture.
• Drive consistency, quality and efficiency in a high-volume environment.
• Respond to changing client requirements with creative, solution-focused outcomes.
• Maintain highest food safety, compliance and financial standards while improving the operation.

Skills

Executive Chef experience

Staff dining & hospitality

Client relationship management

Leading large brigades

Mentoring chefs

Operations & organisation

Menu innovation

Commercial awareness

Job description

Restaurant Associates is seeking an exceptional Executive Chef to lead a high-volume, high-end contract catering operation delivering outstanding staff dining and premium hospitality. This client-facing role requires strong leadership, relationship-building with senior stakeholders, and a passion for culinary excellence.

You will manage a large brigade, drive innovation, maintain top food safety standards, and collaborate with operations and hospitality teams to exceed client expectations.