Head Chef

Chartwells Independent; Sherston; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career development

Comprehensive benefits

Digital GP and wider healthcare

Travel discounts

Discounts on shopping

Wellness and fitness programs

Job summary

Compass Group UK&I ESS is seeking an experienced Head Chef to take ownership of a busy military kitchen at Buckley Barracks. You will lead a team of chefs, deliver nutritious meals, and ensure top quality and compliance with food safety standards.

The role offers Monday to Friday hours, weekend support on occasion, and opportunities for career development within Compass Group. A strong leadership presence and passion for developing teams are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or senior culinary leader.
• Catering qualifications (NVQ/City & Guilds) desirable.
• Experience managing and developing kitchen teams.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and compliance requirements.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop a kitchen team.
• Plan, prepare, and deliver fresh meals for Junior Ranks and Combined Mess.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations and maintain high standards of food quality.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Leadership skills

Catering qualifications

Food safety HACCP

Team development

Organisational skills

Multi-priority management

Communication

Weekend flexibility

Education

NVQ or City & Guilds

Job description

Salary: £36,000 per annum
Location: Buckley Barracks, Chippenham
Hours: 40 hours per week, predominantly Monday to Friday with occasional weekend functions

Bring your passion, creativity, and leadership to Compass Group, where you'll play a key role in delivering fresh, nutritious, high-quality food to Junior Ranks and the Combined Mess at Buckley Barracks. As Head Chef, you'll take full ownership of a busy military kitchen, lead and develop a dedicated team, and create a positive environment where exceptional food and teamwork are at the heart of everything you do.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the culinary offering on site, build a strong kitchen culture, and make a real impact in a role that offers excellent work-life balance with mainly Monday to Friday hours.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead, motivate, and develop a kitchen team comprising a Sous Chef, two Chef de Parties, and military chefs
• Plan, prepare, and deliver fresh, nutritious, high-quality meals for Junior Ranks and Combined Mess personnel
• Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality and presentation
• Manage stock control, ordering, food costs, and waste reduction initiatives
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health & safety standards
• Coordinate catering requirements for occasional functions and special events, including some weekend support
• Drive a positive, professional, and collaborative kitchen culture
• Support training and development of both civilian and military kitchen team members

About You

You're an experienced Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef ready to take ownership of a busy catering operation. You lead by example, remain calm under pressure, and have a genuine passion for developing teams and delivering outstanding food.

You’ll Bring

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or in a senior culinary leadership role
• Relevant catering qualifications (NVQ, City & Guilds, or equivalent desirable)
• Experience managing and developing kitchen teams
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
• Sound knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and compliance requirements
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A passion for producing fresh, high-quality food and exceptional customer experiences
• Flexibility to support occasional weekend functions when required

What We Offer

• Competitive salary of £36,000 per annum
• Predominantly Monday to Friday working pattern
• Opportunities for career development within Compass Group
• A supportive team environment
• The chance to lead a key catering operation within the Defence sector

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• 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.

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!