Head Chef

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd; Aldershot; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

24/7 virtual GP

Discounts for family

Financial wellbeing & retirement plans

Cycle to Work + volunteering day

Job summary

Aldershot-based Head Chef role at Sodexo Defence Services requires a talented leader to drive a high-volume catering operation. You’ll lead a kitchen team, ensure food safety, and deliver nutritious meals to staff at a MoD site in Aldershot.

Experience in menu planning, budgeting, and staff development is essential. You’ll work in a fast-paced environment, upholding HACCP standards and maintaining exceptional quality and pride in every dish.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or senior kitchen leader in high-volume catering.
• Ability to lead and develop kitchen staff.
• Experience in menu planning and service delivery.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and health & safety regulations.
• Experience in budgeting and stock control.
• Desirable: Defence, military, government, or large-scale catering.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and motivate the kitchen team, supervising Chefs and catering staff while supporting their training, development, and performance.
• Prepare, cook, and deliver high-quality meals within agreed budgets and client requirements, ensuring all food standards and customer expectations are consistently met.
• Plan and cost menus for daily service and functions, working closely with the Catering Manager to meet operational and customer needs.
• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and quality control in line with Sodexo Defence Services procedures, HACCP principles, Food Safety legislation, and COSHH requirements.
• Manage food stock control, including ordering, deliveries, storage, stock checks, and monitoring of food safety records such as temperature checks.
• Ensure the effective operation of the kitchen, including correct use and maintenance of equipment, completion of compliance checks, and continuous improvement of personal and team skills.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Team leadership

Menu planning

Food safety HACCP

Budgeting

Defence experience

High-volume catering

Job description

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Are you an experiencedHead Cheflooking for a rewarding role where you can makea real impact? Sodexo is seeking a passionate and talented Head Chef to leadour catering team at our Ministry of Defence site inAldershot. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase yourculinary expertise, inspire a dedicated team, and deliver high-quality,nutritious meals to those who serve our country. Working in a professional andfast-paced environment, you will play a key role in maintaining exceptionalfood standards, driving innovation, and ensuring every meal is prepared withcare, quality, and pride.

What you’ll do:

• Lead, manage and motivate the kitchen team, supervising Chefs and catering staff while supporting their training, development, and performance.


• Prepare, cook, and deliver high-quality meals within agreed budgets and client requirements, ensuring all food standards and customer expectations are consistently met.


• Plan and cost menus for daily service and functions, working closely with the Catering Manager to meet operational and customer needs.


• Maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and quality control in line with Sodexo Defence Services procedures, HACCP principles, Food Safety legislation, and COSHH requirements.


• Manage food stock control, including ordering, deliveries, storage, stock checks, and monitoring of food safety records such as temperature checks.


• Ensure the effective operation of the kitchen, including correct use and maintenance of equipment, completion of compliance checks, and continuous improvement of personal and team skills.

What you’llbring:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef, or senior kitchen leader within a high-volume catering, hospitality, or contract catering environment.


• Strong experience managing and motivating a kitchen team, with the ability to lead, coach, and develop colleagues.


• A passion for delivering high-quality food, with experience in menu planning, food preparation, and service delivery.


• Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene standards, HACCP principles, and health & safety regulations.


• Experience managing budgets, stock control, ordering, and maintaining efficient kitchen operations.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, ideally with experience in Defence, military, government, or large-scale catering (desirable).

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more thanjusta job; it’s an opportunity to be part of something greater. You’ll bevalued for who you are, have the chance to make a positive impact through youreveryday work, and be supported to thrive in your own way.

In addition, we offer:

• Employee Assistance Programme offering personal, legal, and financial advice


• 24/7 virtual GP and lifestyle rewards


• Discounts for you and your family


• Financial wellbeing tools and retirement plans


• Cycle to Work scheme and Paid Volunteering Day

Lead the kitchen at our AldershotMOD site as Head Chef, delivering exceptional food, inspiring your team, andmaking a real impact every day with Sodexo Defence Services!