Head Chef

Chartwells Independent; Guildford; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A catering service provider is seeking an experienced Head Chef in Guildford. You will lead a team to deliver fresh, high-quality meals, manage kitchen operations, and ensure compliance with food hygiene standards. Applicants should have previous experience in a Head Chef role and relevant catering qualifications. The position requires strong leadership skills and flexibility to work different shifts, including weekends. A competitive salary and benefits are offered, making this a rewarding opportunity for culinary professionals.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes

Access to a Digital GP

Exclusive travel discounts

Discounts on groceries

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards for spending

Wellness, mindfulness, and exercise classes

Discount sharing with family and friends

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Head Chef or similar role is essential.
• Relevant catering qualifications are desirable.
• Confident managing a large, diverse team in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have strong leadership, organization, and communication skills.
• Flexible to work a mixture of early and late shifts, including weekends.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop a kitchen team of 7.
• Plan, prepare, and present fresh, nutritious meals.
• Manage ordering, stock control, and food waste reduction.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health, and safety standards.
• Support day-to-day operations and effective scheduling.

Skills

Leadership skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Passion for high-quality food

Education

Relevant catering qualifications (e.g. NVQ, City & Guilds)

Job description

Head Chef - Surrey Police

Salary: £35000 per annum

Hours: 40 Hours per week - Predominately Monday to Friday with occasional weekends

As a Head Chef with Compass Group, you’ll lead a talented kitchen team delivering fresh, high-quality meals to military personnel and staff. You’ll oversee all aspects of kitchen operations — from daily service to event catering — ensuring every plate meets our high standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of 7 to deliver excellent food and service
• Plan, prepare, and present fresh, nutritious meals for daily and special events
• Manage ordering, stock control, and food waste reduction
• Ensure full compliance with food hygiene, health, and safety standards
• Support smooth day-to-day operations and effective scheduling
• Inspire a culture of teamwork, pride, and culinary creativity

About You

You’re an experienced, hands‑on Head Chef who thrives under pressure and leads by example.

You will:

• Have previous experience in a Head Chef or similar role (essential)
• Hold relevant catering qualifications (e.g. NVQ, City & Guilds – desirable)
• Be confident managing a large, diverse team in a fast‑paced environment
• Show strong leadership, organisation, and communication skills
• Be passionate about delivering high-quality, seasonal food
• Be flexible to work a mixture of early and late shifts, including weekends

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!