Head Chef

Gather + Gather; Oxford; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance

Pension scheme

Holiday allowance

Eye care

EAP

Job summary

Gather and Gather in Oxford is seeking a Head Chef to lead a busy, high-volume kitchen at Oxford Brookes University. You will manage day-to-day operations, mentor a team of 14, and collaborate with the Executive Chef on seasonal menus and hospitality delivery.

Ideal candidates have contract catering experience, strong leadership, and expertise in food safety, cost control, and stakeholder management. This role offers a comprehensive benefits program and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Contract catering experience essential.
• Proven experience managing large kitchen teams in high-volume environment.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, health & safety, stock control, and kitchen operations.
• Experience delivering both retail catering and hospitality services.
• Excellent leadership, organisation, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day kitchen operation with high food quality and service standards.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef on seasonal menus and hospitality delivery.
• Oversee food prep and service for up to 1,500 covers per day across outlets.
• Ensure food is fresh, seasonal, locally sourced where possible.
• Manage stock ordering, stock control and supplier quality.
• Lead and develop a team of 14 (2 x Sous, 4 x CDP, 3x Prep, 4 x KP, 1x storeman).
• Deliver daily briefings, training, coaching and performance management.
• Support recruitment, induction, attendance management and team development.
• Reporting to Executive Chef

Skills

Contract catering

Large kitchen team

Food safety

Cost control

Stakeholder management

Job description

Great food in the workplace isn’t simply about fuel.It’s about increasing productivity and improving performance; it’s about happy, motivated people and inspiring environments. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do – we live to bring food and people together.

We are brave, bold and curious adventurers in food and drink. Never shy of being different, always challenging the conventional.

Our passionate team of chefs, baristas, servers, nutritionists and much more, love nothing more than creating memorable moments that enrich the everyday.Come and join our award-winning teams – we are currently recruiting for a Head Chef to join our team.

Location: Oxford Brookes University

Salary: £45,000 per annuum

Shift Pattern: 5 over 7, 40 hours per week

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day kitchen operation, ensuring high food quality, presentation, and service standards.
• Work with the Executive Chef on seasonal menus and hospitality delivery.
• Oversee food preparation and service for up to 1,500 covers per day across retail and hospitality outlets.
• Ensure food is fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced where possible.
• Manage stock ordering, stock control, and supplier quality.
• Lead and develop a team of 14, inc 2 x Sous, 4 x CDP, 3x Prep chefs 4 x KPs, 1x storeman
• Deliver daily briefings, training, coaching, and performance management.
• Support recruitment, induction, attendance management, and team development.
• Reporting to Executive Chef

Food Safety & Compliance

• Lead all food safety, health & safety, and compliance processes across the kitchen.
• Financial Management
• Control food costs through effective purchasing, menu planning, and waste reduction.
• Complete weekly and monthly stock takes and maintain accurate records.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the university.
• Work closely with clients and operational teams to deliver an excellent catering and hospitality experience.

About You

• Previous contract catering experience is essential.
• Proven experience managing large kitchen teams in a high-volume environment.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, health & safety, stock control, and kitchen operations.
• Experience delivering both retail catering and hospitality services.
• Excellent leadership, organisation, and stakeholder management skills.

What's in it for you?

Working with Gather and Gather has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we've developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.

• Personal Development and Training opportunities
• Life assurance scheme
• Pension scheme
• Holiday allowance
• Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
• Eye care
• A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
• Family friendly support
• Regular social events and communication with our leaders
• A holiday purchase scheme
• Volunteering days
• Professional subscriptions
• Recognition schemes and people awards
• Long service awards
• Access to some great high street discount vouchers

Job Reference: com/1908/48594001/52822682/R/SU #Gather and Gather

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!