Head Chef

Sodexo; West of England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Full training provided

Cycle to Work scheme

Flexible working

Learning & development

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Sodexo in Bristol is seeking a Head Chef to lead daily meal production at Priory Hospital Bristol. You will plan menus, cost them, and deliver high-quality meals while supporting Sodexo catering events. Your leadership and creativity will drive fresh, healthy options and sustainable ideas.

The role requires strong HACCP, health and safety knowledge, and the ability to train a team to meet client expectations and SLAs. You will work on-site with a focus on service excellence.

Qualifications

• Culinary qualifications matching 706/1/706/2 or equivalent.
• RIPHH and IOSH safety certificates are desirable.
• Strong focus on HACCP and health and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Plan and cost menus using approved systems, meeting contract requirements and food cost targets.
• Manage ordering and stock control using Sodexo-approved suppliers.
• Contribute to daily food preparation and introduce innovative, healthy concepts.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, hygiene, fire safety and COSHH; train the team.
• Monitor fridge/freezer and hot hold temps, following HACCP guidelines.
• Support occasional events outside normal hours as needed.
• Demonstrate passion for food and exceptional customer service.
• Maintain high hygiene, appearance and professional conduct.

Skills

Menu planning

Cost control

Stock management

Leadership

Health & safety

Food safety standards

Team training

Creative cooking

Communication

Education

706/1 & 706/2 or equivalent culinary qualifications

RIPHH and IOSH certificates

Job description

As a Head Chef at Sodexo in Priory Hospital Bristol, you'll take charge of planning, preparing, and delivering high-quality meals on a daily basis. You'll also support internal and external Sodexo catering events, ensuring everything meets the highest standards in line with client expectations and service level agreements. This is a role where your leadership, creativity, and passion for food truly make an impact. Join Sodexo and be part of something greater. You belong in a team where you can act with purpose and thrive in your way.

• Plan and cost menus using Recipe Online and Chef's Work, ensuring meals meet contract requirements while staying within fixed food costs
• Manage ordering and stock control, strictly using Sodexo-approved suppliers
• Contribute to daily food preparation and bring innovation to the kitchen with creative concepts, healthy eating options, and sustainable menu ideas
• Ensure full compliance with all health and safety, hygiene, fire safety, and COSHH regulations - and train your team accordingly
• Monitor and record fridge, freezer, and hot holding temperatures in line with company policy and HACCP guidelines
• Support occasional ad hoc or special functions, which may fall outside normal working hours
• A genuine passion for food and exceptional customer service
• 706/1 & 706/2 or equivalent culinary qualifications, plus RIPHH and IOSH certificates
• Sound knowledge of:
• Cook Chill Catering
• HACCP principles
• Level 2 Food Safety practices
• Strong communication skills, both written and spoken
• A professional, respectful attitude and a positive approach to teamwork
• High personal standards for hygiene, appearance, and conduct

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer.We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities.We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

Benefits

We also offer a range of benefits to support you and your loved ones:

• Mental health and wellbeing resources
• Employee Assistance Programme (including financial/legal advice & personal support)
• Free health & wellbeing app with 24/7 virtual GP access
• Discounts on high street brands for you and your family
• Salary finance tools and financial wellbeing resources
• Retirement savings plan and life insurance
• Full training and protective uniform provided.
• Opportunities to gain experience through learning and development.
• Cycle to Work scheme & volunteering opportunities.
• Flexible working and a dynamic team environment
• Competitive pay