Head Chef

Aramark Ltd; Radford Semele; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Defined contribution pension scheme

Life assurance

Benefits app: access to discounts, GP,

FOOD! Opportunities to attend in-house

Job summary

Aramark UK at Warwick Castle is looking for a Head Chef to lead the culinary operations for breakfast and dinner for up to 400 guests. You will combine hands-on kitchen leadership with strategic responsibilities, including menu development, cost control, and team coaching.

You will ensure food quality and safety, mentor a talented team in a fast-paced, high-profile setting, and collaborate with on-site Merlin teams and central Aramark support to deliver outstanding guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a high-pressure kitchen and delivering exceptional service.
• Ability to design innovative and appealing menus.
• Strong understanding of food safety and cost control.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team to deliver breakfast and dinner for up to 400 guests.
• Oversee all kitchen operations, from prep to menu planning.
• Ensure food safety compliance and manage GP and labour costs.
• Recruit, train and develop your team.
• Collaborate with Merlin on-site teams and Aramark central support functions.
• Drive menu innovation while maintaining financial efficiency.

Skills

Strong leadership

Creativity

Excellent technical cooking skills

Business acumen

Formal culinary training

Job description

At Aramark UK, we empower our people to create moments that matter through exceptional hospitality experiences. We serve more than a dozen industries with pride and passion, building community, connection, and careers all around the world. You'll be surrounded by some of the most innovative minds in the industry and powered by our shared mission to pursue what matters. As Head Chef, you will lead the culinary operations for Warwick Castle's accommodation, delivering exceptional breakfast and dinner experiences for up to 400 guests. This role combines hands-on kitchen leadership with strategic responsibilities, including menu innovation, cost control, and team development. You'll play a key part in ensuring food quality, safety compliance, and outstanding guest satisfaction, while inspiring and mentoring a talented team in a fast-paced, high-profile environment.

A day in the life of a Head Chef

• Lead and manage a team to deliver breakfast and dinner options for up to 400 guests
• Oversee all kitchen operations, from food preparation to menu planning
• Ensure food safety compliance, manage GP and labour costs, and maintain rotas
• Recruit, train, and develop your team, acting as a positive role model and coach
• Collaborate with Merlin on-site teams and Aramark central support functions
• Drive innovation in menu development while maintaining financial efficiency

Key Skills

• Strong leadership skills to manage a high-pressure kitchen environment
• Creativity to design innovative and appealing menus
• Excellent technical cooking skills and knowledge of various cuisines
• Business acumen to manage costs and maximize profitability
• Formal culinary training and a passion for developing others

Salary £35,000

Benefits and Perks

• Generous annual leave that increases with service, with the opportunity to buy extra
• Defined contribution pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Benefits app: access to 100s of discounts, online GP appointments, mental health support, and our Employee Assistance Programme
• FOOD! Opportunities to attend in-house events and try the culinary genius of our teams