Head Chef

Aramark; Northwood; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Employee Benefits App

Life assurance

Pension contributions

Generous holiday allowance

Training & apprenticeship opportunites

Strong career progression

Job summary

Aramark UK is seeking an exceptional Head Chef to lead the Officers’ Mess at Northwood Headquarters in HA6 3HP, delivering hotel‑style hospitality. You’ll supervise a kitchen team of about 10, reporting to the Catering General Manager, and shape daily dining and high‑profile events.

This role emphasizes culinary excellence, budget control, menu development, and staff development, with fixed schedule 40 hours weekly, mostly Monday–Friday, and a balance of mornings and early afternoons.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 1 & 2 in Culinary Skills required.
• Experience in defence or high-security environment preferred.
• Clean Enhanced DBS and UK residency with the right to work.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operation, driving culinary excellence and innovation.
• Manage budget and cost controls.
• Develop menus to boost quality and sales.
• Coach and develop a 10-person kitchen team.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and procurement processes.

Skills

Leadership & Team Management

Menu Development

Budget & Cost Control

Staff Training

Food Safety & HACCP

Quality Standards

Creativity in Cuisine

Education

NVQ Level 1 & 2 in Culinary Skills

Job description

Aramark UK is looking for an exceptional Head Chef to lead the Officers’ Mess at Northwood Headquarters (HA6 3HP) — a prestigious, high profile environment delivering hotel style hospitality at its finest.

This is a standout opportunity for an experienced culinary leader who thrives on quality, creativity, and events. You’ll take the reins of a talented kitchen team of around 10 chefs and kitchen staff, reporting directly to the Catering General Manager and setting the standard for excellence across daily dining and high-profile functions.

Why this role stands out:

Would you love to showcase your culinary expertise by delivering:

• Large-scale themed Summer and Christmas Balls for 500+ guests
• Fine dining VIP events and special occasions
• Exceptional daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner services
  

This role genuinely allows for creativity and flair, with the freedom to innovate menus while operating within a well-supported contract framework.

Even better, peak service hours run Monday to Friday, breakfast, and lunch, making this a rare hospitality role that truly supports work–life balance — with evenings free and event dates communicated well in advance.

The role:

As Head Chef, you’ll have full ownership of the kitchen operation, driving:

• Culinary excellence and innovation
• Budget and cost control
• Menu development that enhances both quality and sales
• You’ll empower and inspire your team to deliver outstanding service while maintaining the highest operational and compliance standards.
  

What we offer:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week, mainly Monday–Friday, 06:00–16:00
• Free on-site parking
• Access to our Employee Benefits App, including online GP access and hundreds of lifestyle discounts
• A comprehensive benefits package including life assurance, pension contributions, and generous holiday allowance (with the option to buy more)
• Outstanding training, development, and apprenticeship opportunities
• Strong career progression — we are proud to promote from within
  

At Aramark UK, we are redefining what a career in hospitality can look like, offering balance without compromising ambition.

A day in the life:

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading, training and developing culinary and kitchen teams to deliver consistent, high-quality food
• Coaching staff in new techniques, procedures, equipment, and company standards
• Maintaining training records, performance data, and operational documentation
• Driving innovation in the most financially efficient way possible
• Building excellent relationships with clients and stakeholders
• Championing customer service excellence and resolving service issues proactively
• Ensuring full compliance with Operational Excellence standards, food safety, procurement, and supply chain processes.

You’ll be set up for success if you have:

• NVQ Level 1 & 2 in Culinary Skills
• Experience in a similar defence or high security environment
• A can-do, proactive approach with a passion for learning and development
• Strong leadership, organisation, and communication skills
• A clean Enhanced DBS
• UK residency for the past 3 years, with the right to work in the UK and the ability to pass full security vetting
  

Please note due to site location and limited public transport, reliable transport is essential.

Ready to take the next step?

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 and Forces Friendly employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey.

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]

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

We ensure our recruitment process is fully accessible, with reasonable adjustments available at every stage. For support or queries, please contact [e-mail].