Head Chef

Sodexo; City of Westminster; Sur place; GBP 65 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Sodexo leads the culinary direction for 12 months on major UK events in partnership with 1711 by Ascot and Sodexo Live!. You will translate fine-dining concepts into memorable guest experiences at scale, coordinating kitchens and teams up to 100 casual chefs while delivering multiple premium food offers.

Develop menus, present at tastings, source quality produce with procurement, and balance creativity with cost control and food safety.

Qualifications

• Experience leading high-volume event kitchens and luxury hospitality.
• Strong menu development and client tasting delivery experience.
• Proven ability to source quality produce with procurement partners.
• Excellent communication and leadership in fast-paced environments.
• Solid food safety and cost-control discipline.

Responsabilités

• Lead the culinary team across large-scale UK events.
• Develop and deliver innovative menus with executive input.
• Cost menus accurately and manage price fluctuations.
• Present concepts at client tastings and reviews.
• Oversee kitchen operations and staffing, up to 100 casual chefs.
• Ensure food safety, quality, and sustainability standards.

Connaissances

Menu development

Team leadership

High-volume catering

Food safety

Fine dining

Client presentations

Procurement liaison

Commercial awareness

Formation

Food Hygiene qualification

IOSH Managing Safely

Outils

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Email

Description du poste

12months Fixed Term Contract to take the culinary lead across some of the UK's most exciting large-scale events, working in partnership with 1711 by Ascot and Sodexo Live! This is a high-profile role for a chef who can combine creativity with exceptional operational leadership. From developing innovative fine-dining menus and presenting at client tastings to mobilising event kitchens and leading teams of up to 100 casual chefs, you will be responsible for turning hospitality menu concepts into memorable guest experiences. You will thrive in a fast-paced environment where several premium food offers may be delivered simultaneously. You will bring structure, energy and commercial awareness to every stage of the event journey, ensuring food quality, safety, presentation and sustainability remain at the highest standard. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced major-events chef who enjoys working closely with clients, developing talented teams and proving what can be achieved in high-volume, temporary and greenfield event environments.

• Champion and deliver the vision and standards of Sodexo Live! and 1711 by Ascot.
• Develop and deliver food offers and menus in partnership with the Executive Chef and Head of Events, ensuring delivery within agreed timescales.
• Source high-quality produce in collaboration with procurement team and key suppliers, meeting event requirements, sourcing objectives, and client KPIs.
• Lead menu development and innovation, creating memorable food experiences that generate positive client feedback.
• Define and communicate event catering concepts, including food, service style, equipment, operational flow, and customer experience.
• Cost menus accurately, managing price fluctuations and product changes to maintain profitability.
• Deliver client tastings and confidently present menu concepts and dishes.
• Balance creative kitchen responsibilities with administrative planning, maintaining strong organisation across both areas.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of event kitchens, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and high standards of delivery.
• Oversee menu specifications, photography, labour planning, rotas, and staffing levels to optimise performance and control costs.
• Lead and inspire the culinary team to deliver exceptional food and service in line with Service Level Agreements and client expectations.
• Demonstrable experience in a high-volume environment in major events
• Fine Dining background gained in hotels, restaurants, or contract catering
• A passionate interest in the catering industry - knowledge of current trends,
• A competent communicator and ability to present to colleagues, peers and clients
• Financial awareness and understanding of a food profit and loss account and articulate how to control food cost and generate a positive food margin
• Evidence of being organised and possess excellent planning skills
• Food Hygiene qualification
• A through understanding of Food Hygiene and Food Safety legislation
• Ability to competently use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Email
• Proven ability to manage and lead a team of chefs
• Allergen compliant

Desirable

• Supervising Food Safely Level 3 qualification
• IOSH Managing Safely or similar qualification
• Previous Head Chef role or Lead Chef in a smaller operation
• Experience in the delivery of retail food operations
• Production kitchen knowledge and/or experience
• Experience of working with clients in a contract catering environment
• Staff training experience or qualification
• Understanding of all food legislation

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it's a chance to be part of something greater. You'll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you'll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you'll be able to thrive in your own way.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins. Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins. We're a Disability Confident Leader employer. We're committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.