Head Chef

Interaction Recruitment PLC; Stuntney; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Interaction Recruitment is recruiting on behalf of an established hospitality and events venue near Ely, seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead its kitchen operations. You will design seasonal menus, oversee a diverse dining portfolio and inspire a high-performing team.

The role spans fine dining and large-scale events, requiring strong control of food costs and budgets, and a hands-on, proactive approach with evenings and weekend availability.

Qualifications

• Head Chef or senior kitchen management experience.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Experience in both fine dining and large-scale events.
• Excellent menu planning and development with seasonal ingredients.
• Ability to adapt between different styles of cooking and service while maintaining high standards.
• Experience managing food costs, stock, ordering and budgets.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to plan ahead.
• Hands-on, proactive approach and ownership of kitchen operations.
• Flexible to work evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and motivate the kitchen team, creating a positive, organised and professional working environment.
• Design and develop creative, seasonal menus for a variety of dining experiences, private functions and larger events.
• Oversee the preparation and delivery of high-quality food, maintaining excellent standards of flavour, presentation and consistency.
• Manage kitchen operations across different styles of service, from fine dining through to large-scale banqueting.
• Plan and coordinate kitchen activities around a varied calendar of bookings, functions and events.
• Take responsibility for stock control, ordering, food costs, portion control and waste management.
• Ensure excellent food hygiene, health & safety and kitchen cleanliness standards are maintained.
• Work closely with the wider hospitality and events teams to ensure the successful delivery of all services.
• Lead by example, taking a hands-on approach during preparation and service.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Culinary skills

Food cost management

Stock control

Team motivation

Adaptability

Evening/weekend flexibility

Job description

Head Chef (Hospitality & Events Venue)

Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire

Salary: £42,000 - £45,000 per annum (DOE)

Job Type: Permanent

Working Hours: Flexible working pattern based around business requirements and scheduled events. Evening & weekend availability is essential.

The Opportunity

Interaction Recruitment is recruiting exclusively on behalf of an established hospitality & events venue in the Ely area, seeking an experienced, creative and enthusiastic Head Chef to lead its kitchen operations.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented and versatile chef who enjoys variety, takes pride in delivering exceptional food and has the leadership skills to manage a successful kitchen team.

The venue offers a diverse range of dining experiences, from fine dining and intimate private functions through to weddings, corporate hospitality and large-scale events. The successful candidate will need to be comfortable adapting their approach to different styles of service, whilst maintaining consistently high culinary standards.

We are looking for a genuine all-rounder who combines creativity and attention to detail with strong organisational and management skills. Someone who can develop exciting menus, inspire their team and confidently oversee everything from smaller, refined dining experiences to high-volume event catering.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and motivate the kitchen team, creating a positive, organised and professional working environment.
• Design and develop creative, seasonal menus for a variety of dining experiences, private functions and larger events.
• Oversee the preparation and delivery of high-quality food, maintaining excellent standards of flavour, presentation and consistency.
• Manage kitchen operations across different styles of service, from fine dining through to large-scale banqueting.
• Plan and coordinate kitchen activities around a varied calendar of bookings, functions and events.
• Take responsibility for stock control, ordering, food costs, portion control and waste management.
• Ensure excellent food hygiene, health & safety and kitchen cleanliness standards are maintained.
• Work closely with the wider hospitality and events teams to ensure the successful delivery of all services.
• Lead by example, taking a hands-on approach during preparation and service.

About You

We are looking for an experienced chef who is confident in their culinary abilities, passionate about food and capable of leading a team in a varied and demanding hospitality environment.

The ideal candidate will have

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef or within a similar senior kitchen management position.
• Proven leadership and people management experience, with the ability to motivate and develop a kitchen team.
• A strong and varied culinary background, ideally including experience in both fine dining and larger-scale events, functions or banqueting.
• Excellent menu planning and development skills, with creativity and a good understanding of seasonal ingredients.
• The versatility to adapt between different styles of cooking and service whilst maintaining consistently high standards.
• Commercial awareness, including experience managing food costs, stock, ordering and kitchen budgets.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to plan ahead and manage multiple service requirements.
• A proactive, hands-on approach and the confidence to take ownership of kitchen operations.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends in line with scheduled events and business requirements.