Head Chef

Aramark; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food service provider in Newcastle upon Tyne is looking for a Head Chef to oversee kitchen operations and create innovative menus that meet budgetary guidelines. The successful candidate will train and lead culinary staff, ensuring high-quality food production while maintaining effective client relationships. This full-time position offers a salary between £28,000 and £30,000, with numerous benefits including development opportunities and work-life balance incentives.

Benefits

Free meals on duty

Employee benefits app access

Life assurance and pension contributions

Generous holiday entitlement

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar educational environment is essential.
• Must have a clean Enhanced DBS for security vetting.
• Ability to develop innovative solutions in a financially efficient manner.

Responsibilities

• Train and lead culinary and kitchen employees in standard food production techniques.
• Identify and develop training needs for kitchen staff.
• Ensure compliance with operational excellence fundamentals and control waste.

Skills

Culinary skills

Leadership

Customer service

Training and development

Education

NVQ Levels 1 & 2 in culinary skills

Job description

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) is in the customer service business across food, facilities and uniforms, wherever people work, learn, recover, and play. United by a passion to serve, our more than 247,000 team members deliver experiences that enrich and nourish the lives of millions of people in 19 countries around the world every day.

Aramark UK are currently recruiting a Head Chef to join our team working in Albemarle Barracks, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 0RF. The Head Chef will be responsible for the kitchen operation, cost efficiency and production of innovative high‑quality food menus in line with agreed budgets to improve sales.

Responsibilities

• Train and lead culinary and kitchen employees to apply standard food production techniques and ensure quality in final presentation.
• Identify training needs, develop and deliver training in new procedures, methods of working, equipment and cleaning products.
• Implement company policy decisions and train staff accordingly; maintain all staff records including training records, shift opening/closing checklists and performance data.
• Develop innovative solutions in the most financially efficient way possible.
• Maintain effective client and customer rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships, aggregate and communicate regional culinary and ingredient trends.
• Empower the team to deliver excellence in customer service; investigate concerns, respond to needs and take corrective action.
• Ensure full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals: manage waste, standard menus, recipes and ingredients, handle customer driven menus and labour standards, understand end‑to‑end supply‑chain and procurement processes and systems, and ensure only authorised suppliers are used.

Qualifications

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

What we offer

• Full‑time position, 40 hours per week, shift pattern 5 days out of 7 (predominantly Monday‑Friday, 9:00 to 17:30) with weekend events several times a year—leaving evenings free.
• Annual salary 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.
• Access to our Employee Benefits app (Perkbox), which includes hundreds of discounts, including savings on weekly supermarket shop and weekend treats.
• Company package including life assurance, pension contributions, generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy more, and many more benefits.
• Opportunity to join a talented team, with fabulous career prospects, and potential for promotion from within.
• Apprenticeship schemes and ongoing training and development.

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 support employees with disabilities throughout their career journey. We are also recognized as a Forces Friendly employer and hold the prestigious ERS Gold Award, reflecting our dedication to supporting the Armed Forces community.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Job Reference 622446.

If you are already employed by Aramark, you must notify your line manager before submitting your application.

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