Head Chef

Searcys; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% venue discount

Pension scheme enrolment

Up to 35 days leave

Meals provided on shift

Chef whites provided

Your birthday off

Volunteer day

Job summary

Searcys is recruiting a Head Chef for the National Army Museum in Chelsea. You will lead the kitchen and oversee premium dining, corporate events, and VIP receptions, delivering innovative menus and flawless service across busy daytime café and high-end hospitality.

We expect a culinary leader with extensive experience, capable of managing food quality, safety, costs, and team development while driving sustainability and seasonality in a distinguished cultural setting.

Qualifications

• Seasonal menus and high-volume service experience.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent standards in food safety and allergen controls.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver creative menus for café, hospitality, and events.
• Lead and motivate kitchen team to maintain exceptional standards.
• Ensure consistent food quality, presentation and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Team leadership

Menu development

Kitchen operations

Staff training

Food safety awareness

Education

Level 3 Food Safety & HACCP

Job description

Searcys are recruiting for a Head Chef to join the team at the National Army Museum.

We are looking for an experienced culinary leader to oversee premium dining services and create outstanding hospitality experiences, encompassing fine dining, corporate events, and high-profile VIP functions.

Located in the heart of Chelsea, the National Army Museum offers a range of stylish and versatile spaces available to hire for corporate and private events, including purpose-built meeting and conference facilities for daytime hire, as well as a selection of open, high-ceilinged spaces perfect for evening events.

As a Head Chef you will receive the following industry leading benefits:

• 50% discount across Searcys venues
• Enrolment into the Searcys pension scheme
• Up to 35days annual leave (dependant on job role)
• Access to everyday discounts and communication portal
• Employee assistance programme
• Culinary development programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Meals provided on shift when working within one of our venue
• Chef Whites provided
• Your birthday off to celebrate in style
• A day off to volunteer / give back to the charity of your choice
• Team social

This is a unique opportunity to lead the culinary operation at the prestigious National Army Museum, overseeing both the busy public café and a thriving hospitality and events programme. From delivering high-quality daytime dining to creating exceptional menus for private functions, corporate events, and VIP receptions, this role offers variety, creativity, and the chance to make a lasting impact in a distinguished cultural setting.

Job Type: 45hrs per week, Venue operates Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm, with occasional evening events.
Salary: up to £50,000 per annum,

As Head Chef, you will lead and inspire the kitchen team, ensuring outstanding food quality, innovation, and service across all areas of the operation while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, compliance, and financial performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver creative seasonal menus for the café, hospitality, and events business.
• Lead, train, and motivate the kitchen team to achieve exceptional standards.
• Ensure consistent food quality, presentation, and customer satisfaction.
• Work closely with the events and front-of-house teams to deliver successful functions and hospitality experiences.
• Manage stock, food costs, budgets, and supplier relationships effectively.
• Maintain the highest standards of food hygiene, health & safety, and allergen compliance.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement across the food offer.
• Support and lead the delivery of private events, corporate functions, and VIP receptions.
• Ensure smooth day-to-day kitchen operations within a high-volume, visitor-focused environment.
• Proven experience as aHead Chefin both retail café operations and event catering.
• Creative, trend-aware, and passionate about sustainability and seasonality
• Inspirational leader with excellent communication and organisational skills
• Level 3 Food Safety & HACCP (or equivalent)

We are the oldest caterer in the UK, having been founded in 1847, working with us will give you an opportunity to be part of some of London’s most prestigious events, gaining insights and mentoring from skilled and experienced colleagues, as well as getting a chance to be part of a storied legacy in the hospitality industry.

A career at Searcys means you are part of something special, we are an employer with a rich history, and an established reputation which will provide you with an enormous sense of pride and belonging.

To find out more on the rich history of Searcys, please visit our website at www.searcys.co.uk