Head Chef

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services; Oakham; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite car parking

Subsidised meals

Contributory pension scheme

Career development and training

Digital GP and wider healthcare

Job summary

ESS – Defence, Energy and Government Services is seeking a Head Chef for Kendrew Barracks to lead the on-site catering operation. You will manage the kitchen, mentor the team, and deliver high-quality meals within a structured environment.

Ideal candidates have contract catering experience and a passion for quality food and service, with strong leadership and organisational skills. Travel to site is required and you’ll benefit from a supportive employer with training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in kitchen teams.
• Experience in contract catering or high-volume food service.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and kitchen compliance.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Passion for quality food and service standards.
• Proactive approach and ability to thrive in a structured environment.
• Willingness to travel to site.

Responsibilities

• Lead a motivated kitchen team and create a positive working environment.
• Deliver fresh, high-quality meals with consistency and presentation.
• Own day-to-day kitchen operations and timelines.
• Coach and develop team members to reach their potential.
• Manage stock, ordering and food costs for efficiency.
• Drive high standards in food safety and hygiene.
• Maintain excellent customer satisfaction through food and service.
• Support continuous improvement and bring new ideas.

Job description

£32500 per annum/ 5 out of 7

Head Chef - Kendrew Barracks

£32500 per annum/ 5 out of 7

We're looking for a passionate and experienced Head Chef to lead our catering operation at Kendrew Barracks. This is an exciting opportunity for a strong people leader who enjoys developing teams, creating great food, and running a well-organised kitchen within a unique military environment. You'll have the autonomy to lead your kitchen, inspire your team, and deliver high-quality meals that support Service Personnel every day. This role would suit an ambitious chef with contract catering experience who is looking for stability, work-life balance, and the opportunity to make a genuine difference.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading a motivated kitchen team and creating a positive working environment
• Delivering fresh, high-quality meals with a focus on consistency and presentation
• Taking ownership of the day-to-day kitchen operation
• Coaching, mentoring and developing team members to reach their full potential
• Managing stock, ordering and food costs to ensure an efficient operation
• Driving high standards across food safety, hygiene and compliance
• Maintaining excellent customer satisfaction through quality food and service
• Supporting continuous improvement and bringing new ideas to the kitchen

What We're Looking For

• A proven Head Chef or experienced Senior Chef ready for their next challenge
• Previous experience within contract catering or high-volume food service environments
• A strong leader who enjoys developing and motivating teams
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• A passion for quality food and exceptional service standards
• Good knowledge of food safety, compliance and kitchen management
• A proactive, positive approach with the ability to thrive in a structured environment
• Reliable and flexible with the ability to travel to site

What's In It For You?

• Competitive salary and great work-life balance
• The opportunity to run your own kitchen with genuine autonomyi>
• A supportive business that invests in training and development
• Career progression opportunities within a large and growing organisation
• A stable and rewarding environment where you can focus on food, people and performance
• The chance to make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of Service Personnel

Benefits

• Onsite free car parking
• Subsidised meals
• 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

Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.

Job Reference: com/1108/95281001/52826337/SU #Defence

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!