Head Chef

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Windsor; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary up to £40,000

Generous annual leave

Life assurance and pension

Benefits app with discounts

Food events and culinary experiences

Job summary

Aramark Windsor is seeking a passionate Head Chef to oversee Back of House operations across four hotel restaurants at LEGOLAND Windsor. You will develop menus, drive food quality, and manage costs while leading a large kitchen team to deliver exceptional dining experiences for thousands of guests annually.

The role requires a proven Head Chef track record in high-volume hospitality, strong commercial acumen, and a focus on safety and training.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Head Chef or senior kitchen leadership role.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing food cost, GP targets and budgets.
• Ability to recruit, train and develop kitchen teams and maintain high safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead Back of House across four hotel restaurants, ensuring high-quality food and service.
• Develop and implement innovative menus meeting guest expectations and business goals.
• Manage food cost, labour budgets, stock control and waste reduction.
• Recruit, train and coach kitchen teams and foster a positive culture.
• Ensure HACCP, allergen management and health & safety compliance across kitchens.
• Oversee ordering, inventory and supplier relationships for smooth operation.
• Collaborate with Head of Hotel F&B and stakeholders on concepts and hospitality offerings.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food cost management

Staff coaching

Food safety

Job description

At Aramark we empower our people to create experiences that matter.
We share a passion for hospitality, it’s at the foundation of everything we do. Hospitality excellence is brought to life by our people every day. We embrace our responsibility to our people, our communities, and our planet. While the services we provide, and the industries we serve, are extensive, we never waver from our people-first approach.

Job Description

Are you a passionate and commercially minded Head Chef looking for an exciting opportunity at one of the UK's most iconic family destinations? We are recruiting two Head Chefs to oversee the Back of House operation shared across four hotel restaurants at LEGOLAND Windsor. This is a high-profile role where you'll be responsible for delivering outstanding food quality, developing innovative menus, driving financial performance, and creating memorable dining experiences for thousands of guests each year.

Leading a talented kitchen team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our food offering, maintaining the highest standards of food safety and compliance, and building a positive, high-performing culture. If you thrive in a fast-paced hospitality environment, have a strong track record in managing large-scale food operations, and are passionate about developing people while achieving commercial success, we'd love to hear from you.

• Competitive salary of up to £40,000 depending on experience
• Generous annual leave that increase in line with service, with the opportunity to buy extra
• Life assurance and pension scheme
• Benefits app: access to 100s of discounts, free mortgage advice, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, online GP appointments, and our Employee Assistance Programme
• FOOD! Opportunities to attend in-house events and try the culinary genius of our teams (we are a food business after all!)

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Back of House operation across four hotel restaurants, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality food and service standards.
• Develop and implement innovative menus that meet guest expectations, support business objectives, and achieve agreed GP targets.
• Manage food cost, labour budgets, stock control, and waste reduction initiatives to maximise profitability and operational efficiency.
• Recruit, train, coach, and develop kitchen teams, creating a positive culture and building a strong talent pipeline through succession planning.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, allergen management, HACCP, health & safety, and company policies across all kitchen operations.
• Monitor operational performance and guest feedback, driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee ordering, inventory management, product availability, and supplier relationships to ensure the smooth running of all hotel kitchens.
• Collaborate with the Head of Hotel F&B and wider stakeholders to support existing and new food concepts, corporate hospitality offerings, and strategic business objectives.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience in a Head Chef, Executive Chef, or senior kitchen leadership role within a high-volume hospitality, hotel, leisure, or restaurant environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing food cost, GP targets, labour budgets, stock control, and waste reduction initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, develop, and performance manage large kitchen teams, creating a positive and high-performing culture.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP, allergen management, and health & safety legislation, with a proven track record of maintaining compliance standards.
• Experience in menu development and innovation, creating appealing food offerings that balance guest satisfaction with commercial objectives.
• Exceptional organisational and operational skills, with the ability to manage multiple kitchens and competing priorities while consistently delivering high-quality food and service standards.

Additional Information

At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive.

As a proud Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey.

We are an Armed Forces Friendly organisation and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, cadet forces adult volunteers, reservists and military families.

For roles requiring security clearance, any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion and maintenance of the required level of security clearance. Applicants must meet the relevant eligibility and residency requirements applicable to that level of clearance.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all employees and workers to share this commitment. Where relevant to the role, safer recruitment checks will apply, including referencesand an enhanced DBS checkin line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any adjustments or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team – [e-mail]

Join us in fostering a workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.