Head Chef

Aramark; Ledston; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave increasing with service

Life assurance and pension

Discounts app and employee benefits

In-house culinary events

Job summary

Aramark is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen operations, overseeing all food preparation and delivering high standards of quality, safety, and service. You will manage a team of chefs and kitchen assistants, control stock and costs, and drive continuous improvements in a busy environment.

Join a hands-on leadership role that values culinary excellence, commercial awareness and delivering an outstanding customer experience through menu development and best practice food

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading and developing kitchen teams in busy hospitality environments.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, safety, stock control and kitchen operations.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing food costs and labour budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all food preparation activities with consistent quality and service.
• Develop and coach chefs and kitchen assistants; provide training and performance management.
• Ensure compliance with recipes, menus, and company standards; manage stock and wastage.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Food safety

Food cost management

Team coaching

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery

Level 3 Food Hygiene certification

Job description

Company Description

At Aramark we empower our people to create experiences that matter.

We share a passion for hospitality, it's at the foundation of everything we do. Hospitality excellence is brought to life by our people every day. We embrace our responsibility to our people, our communities, and our planet. While the services we provide, and the industries we serve, are extensive, we never waver from our people-first approach.

Job Description

We're looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen operation, overseeing all food preparation activities and ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, safety, and service. You'll manage and develop a team of chefs and kitchen assistants, maintain stock and cost controls, and ensure the successful delivery of our food offer in a busy environment.

Working closely with the management team, you'll play a key role in driving operational performance, developing your team and delivering an excellent customer experience. This role would suit a hands‑on leader with strong culinary expertise, commercial awareness, and a passion for maintaining high standards.

What's in it for you:

• Competitive salary of £35,000 depending on experience
• Generous annual leave that increase in line with service, with the opportunity to buy extra
• Life assurance and pension scheme
• Benefits app: access to 100s of discounts, free mortgage advice, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, online GP appointments, and our Employee Assistance Programme
• FOOD! Opportunities to attend in‑house events and try the culinary genius of our teams (we are a food business after all!)

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage all food preparation activities, ensuring consistent quality, presentation and service standards.
• Oversee and develop a team of chefs and kitchen assistants, providing coaching, training and performance management.
• Ensure all food is prepared in line with approved recipes, menu specifications and company standards.
• Manage stock control, ordering, rotation and wastage to maximize efficiency and minimize costs.
• Maintain full compliance with food safety, health and safety, and company policies and procedures.
• Monitor kitchen performance, labor costs and productivity to achieve operational and financial targets.
• Work closely with management teams to deliver an exceptional customer experience and respond effectively to feedback.
• Support business growth through menu development, continuous improvement initiatives and implementation of best practice food production processes.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience leading and developing kitchen teams within a busy catering, hospitality or food service environment.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, food safety, stock control and kitchen operations
• Commercial awareness, with experience managing food costs, labor budgets and reducing wastage.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and develop high‑performing teams.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment while maintaining high standards of quality, compliance and customer service.
• Work closely with management teams to deliver an exceptional customer experience and respond effectively to feedback.
• Support business growth through menu development, continuous improvement initiatives and implementation of best practice food production processes.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery (or equivalent) and Level 3 Food Hygiene certification

Additional Information

At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive.

As a proud Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey.

We are an Armed Forces Friendly organisation and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, cadet forces adult volunteers, reservists and military families.

For roles requiring security clearance, any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion and maintenance of the required level of security clearance. Applicants must meet the relevant eligibility and residency requirements applicable to that level of clearance.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all employees and workers to share this commitment. Where relevant to the role, safer recruitment checks will apply, including references and an enhanced DBS check in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any adjustments or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team - [e-mail]

Join us in fostering a workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.