Head Chef

Chartwells Independent; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in workplace dining seeks a talented Head Chef to lead a dynamic kitchen team in London. This role is pivotal in crafting innovative menus and ensuring high standards of food quality and safety. You will inspire and coach a passionate brigade while driving culinary excellence aligned with sustainable practices. If you have a flair for creativity, strong leadership skills, and a passion for fresh ingredients, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a prestigious setting.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes

Digital GP access

Exclusive travel discounts

Food shop discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards on spending

Free wellness and exercise classes

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in high-volume hospitality kitchens.
• Excellent culinary and presentation skills with a creative edge.

Responsibilities

• Lead all kitchen operations with a proactive approach.
• Design and deliver high-quality food that meets client expectations.
• Manage kitchen budgets and stock levels effectively.

Skills

Culinary Skills

Leadership

Organizational Skills

Financial Acumen

Communication Skills

Job description

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

Head Chef – London
Location: London
Hours: Monday to Friday, full-time
Sector: Staff Dining & Hospitality

Restaurant Associates has been redefining workplace dining and hospitality for nearly six decades. Founded in New York and now a leader in the UK, we bring premium, fresh, and sustainable food experiences to some of the country’s most inspiring workplaces.

We believe in the power of food to fuel productivity, inspire creativity, and bring people together. Now, we’re looking for a talented and passionate Head Chef to lead the kitchen team in one of our prestigious London locations.

What’s on the plate:

As Head Chef, you’ll be at the heart of our operation – crafting delicious, balanced, and innovative menus that impress and inspire. You’ll oversee both staff dining and hospitality catering, delivering excellence from boardroom lunches to everyday meals.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading all kitchen operations with a hands-on and proactive approach

• Designing and delivering high-quality food that meets client expectations

• Driving food innovation in line with our sustainable and health-conscious ethos

• Ensuring compliance with all food safety, health & safety, and COSHH requirements

• Managing kitchen budgets, costs, and stock levels effectively

• Coaching and inspiring a talented kitchen brigade

What we’re looking for:

We’re after a confident culinary leader with a flair for innovation and an obsession for quality. You’ll bring:

• Excellent culinary and presentation skills with a creative edge

• Proven leadership experience in a high-volume hospitality or B&I kitchen

• Strong organisational and financial acumen

• Passion for fresh, sustainable ingredients and modern food trends

• Great communication skills and a positive, team-focused mindset

• Ability to maintain high standards under pressure and inspire your team to do the same

About Us

Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together.Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Job Reference: com/0105/97894001/52736466/SU #RA Group

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!