Head Chef

Aramark; Newcastle on Clun; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading contract catering company in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking an experienced Head Chef to manage kitchen operations at Albemarle Barracks. Responsibilities include leading the culinary team, ensuring food quality, and adhering to budget constraints. Applicants must have culinary qualifications, experience in a similar educational environment, and the legal right to work in the UK. The position offers a salary between £28,000 and £30,000, with various employee benefits such as free meals and opportunities for career advancement.

Benefits

Free meals on duty

Life assurance

Pension contributions

Generous holiday entitlement

Employee Benefits app access

Qualifications

• Must have been a UK resident for the past 3 years and have legal right to work in the UK.
• Experience in a similar educational environment preferred.
• Clean Enhanced DBS required.

Responsibilities

• Train and lead kitchen staff on food production methods and quality standards.
• Identify training needs and develop appropriate training programs.
• Maintain effective communication with clients and enhance customer service.

Skills

Culinary skills

Proactive attitude

Team leadership

Education

NVQ Levels 1 & 2 in culinary skills

Job description

Reach for Remarkable

Aramark UK are currently recruiting a Head Chef to join our team working in Albemarle Barracks, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 0RF.

You will be responsible for the kitchen operation, cost efficiency and production of innovative quality food/menus in line with agreed budgets to improve sales.

Aramark UK are making a work life balance achievable whilst still working in hospitality, cultivating your culinary career with a world leading organisation. Aramark provides world‑class contract catering services to our extensive list of clients across the UK, including Defence and Judicial, private industry and Education. We are lucky to have some of the best Culinary and Catering talent that the UK has to offer working within our teams.

To be eligible for this role, due to the sector requirements: you must have been a UK resident for the past 3 years and have legal right to work in the UK and be able to pass full security vetting and DBS checks.

You must have reliable transport due to the location of the site and limited public transport.

What we offer:

• This is a full‑time position, 40 hours per week, shift pattern 5 days out of 7, predominantly Monday - Friday, 9:00 to 17:30 (weekend events several times a year), leaving your evenings free - a rarity when you work within culinary/hospitality.
• Annual salary is from £28,000 to £30,000 (dependent on experience).
• Free meals on duty, parking on‑site.
• Time off during key periods of the year (Easter, Christmas) to give a good family/work balance.
• You will have access to our Employee Benefits app (Perkbox) - which includes 100's of discounts, including savings on your weekly supermarket shop and weekend treats.
• We also offer a company package including life assurance, pension contributions, generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy more, and many more benefits.
• You will also be joining a talented team, with fabulous career prospect and could lead to all sorts of opportunities - we LOVE to promote from within. We are passionate about developing our people and over training and development. We also offer apprenticeship schemes, so that your learning journey can continue.

A day in the life of a Head Chef:

• Training and leading culinary and kitchen employees to use standard methodology food production technique and ensure quality in final presentation of food.
• Identifying the training needs of staff and carrying out relevant training in new procedures, methods of working or use of new equipment and cleaning products.
• Implementing any new company policy decisions and training staff accordingly. Maintaining all staff records including training records, shift opening/closing checklists and performance data. Computer literate. Multi‑tasking as well as ability to simplify the agenda for the team is essential.
• Capability to develop innovative solutions in the most financially efficient way possible.
• Develops and maintains effective client and customer rapport for mutually beneficial business relationship. Aggregates and communicates regional culinary and ingredient trends.
• Empowers team to deliver excellence in customer service. Investigates concerns and respond to needs relating to the catering service and takes corrective action.
• Full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals: managing waste, standard menus, recipes and ingredients through handling customer driven menus and labour standards. Understands end to end supply chain and procurement process and systems, ensures only authorised suppliers are used.

You will be set up for success if you have:

• NVQ Levels 1 & 2 in culinary skills.
• Clean Enhanced DBS.
• Experience in a similar educational environment.
• Can do attitude with a willingness to learn. Proactive in attitude.
• Lived in UK for the past 3 years and have legal right to work in the UK and be able to pass full security vetting and DBS checks.

If this role appeals to you, then apply now and show us the value you will bring.

Job Reference 622446.

If you are applying for this role and you already work for Aramark, you must notify your line manager before submitting your application.

About Aramark UK

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 also recognised as a Forces Friendly employer and hold the prestigious ERS Gold Award, reflecting our dedication to supporting the Armed Forces community.

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 accommodations 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.