Executive Chef - Kent

TN United Kingdom; Dartford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company seeks an Executive Chef to lead a dedicated team in providing high-quality food services at a prestigious school. This role involves overseeing food preparation, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and driving sales through innovative menu planning. Ideal candidates will possess excellent culinary skills, strong leadership abilities, and a passion for food.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programs

Healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Food shopping discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards on spending

Wellness and exercise classes

Qualifications

• Experience as an Executive Chef or similar role in catering.
• Knowledge of food safety and compliance standards.
• Proven track record in menu planning and cost management.

Responsibilities

• Deliver catering services across multiple outlets.
• Plan and oversee food preparation ensuring quality.
• Manage food safety and compliance.

Skills

Culinary skills

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Team leadership

Numeracy

Computer literacy

Job description

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We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Career development through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access to Digital GP and wider healthcare benefits for you and your immediate family
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com, and more
• Food shopping discounts at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and others
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets
• Cash rewards on spending, redeemable across various brands
• Free wellness, mindfulness, and exercise classes
• Share discounts and offers with friends and family

Chartwells Independents is a leading provider of catering and support services to UK independent schools, delivering innovative catering, hospitality, and food services with imaginative menus and exceptional service.

We believe great food starts with great ingredients. Our chefs use seasonal produce and bring creativity to their dishes, offering a diverse range of cuisines aligned with current trends to ensure a memorable dining experience.

We develop our teams to enhance their skills, fostering passion and inspiration, which we proudly support.

You will support high-quality education at this school by providing outstanding food and service to pupils and staff.

Leading a team passionate about preparing fresh, nutritious food, you'll work in a dynamic, busy environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

We seek a talented, enthusiastic, and experienced Executive Chef to lead our dedicated catering team, using the finest, freshest ingredients in this prestigious setting.

This is an excellent opportunity for an inspirational Head Chef to build their reputation in the contract catering industry.

We offer support and development opportunities, along with a competitive salary.

More about the role:

• Deliver catering services across multiple outlets in a complex environment
• Plan, organize, and oversee food preparation, ensuring quality standards
• Take responsibility for food production with a hands-on approach
• Drive sales through menu planning, promotions, and supplier relationships
• Manage food safety, HSE, and COSHH compliance
• Implement monitoring procedures to control costs and monitor budgets

Who you are:

• Excellent culinary and presentation skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Energetic and passionate about your work
• Calm, inspirational team leader
• Proactive in waste prevention
• Food enthusiast with a team-oriented mindset
• Numerate, computer literate, with financial understanding
• Knowledgeable about profit margins, purchasing, budgeting, and food costing

About Us

As part of Compass, you'll help feed people, fuel progress, and forge connections across around 6,000 venues. Join us to advance your career with industry leaders, enjoy competitive pay, great perks, and unmatched learning opportunities in one of the UK's largest companies.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, respecting and celebrating diverse talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities. We aim to ensure all colleagues feel valued, empowered, and able to thrive—because diversity is our strength!