Head Chef

Restaurant Associates Careers; Manchester; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality provider is seeking an experienced Head Chef for its Manchester location. In this role, you will lead a weekday kitchen team, ensuring high standards of food quality and hygiene while planning menus with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with no weekends or late nights, competitive pay, and a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programs

Healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Wellness classes

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or in a similar culinary role.
• Strong understanding of food safety and hygiene regulations.
• Ability to create new dishes and adapt menus based on seasonal ingredients.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all kitchen operations and service delivery.
• Plan and develop menus using fresh, seasonal produce.
• Manage stock control, ordering, and food cost targets.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the kitchen team.

Skills

Leadership skills

Menu planning

Food safety compliance

Team development

Job description

Head Chef - Manchester

£16.76 per hour | 40 hours per week | Monday-Friday

We are currently seeking an experienced and motivated Head Chef to lead a well-established weekday kitchen operation in Manchester. This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate chef who values fresh, high-quality food, efficient service, and positive team leadership, without the demands of evening or weekend work.

As Head Chef, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, and hygiene. You will lead, train, and inspire a skilled kitchen team while maintaining smooth, efficient service in a fast-paced but structured environment.

What we offer:

• Competitive pay at £16.76 per hour
• 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday only
• No weekends or late nights – excellent work‑life balance
• A supportive working environment with a strong team culture
• The opportunity to lead and shape menus focused on fresh, seasonal ingredients

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all kitchen operations and service delivery
• Plan and develop menus using fresh, seasonal produce
• Manage stock control, ordering, and food cost targets
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations
• Lead, motivate, and develop the kitchen team
• Maintain high standards of consistency, quality, and presentation

Benefits

• 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

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/2201/62922001/52786470/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!