Head Chef 12M FTC

Sodexo Ltd; London Borough of Southwark; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited mental health & wellbeing平台

Employee Assistance Programme

Free health & wellbeing app with 24hr

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Salary Finance benefits

Sodexo Retirement Plan

Death-in-Service

Learning & development opportunities

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering opportunities

Flexible and dynamic work environment

Competitive compensation

Full training and protective uniform

Job summary

Sodexo Ltd. is seeking an experienced Head Chef for a 12-month fixed-term contract to lead culinary operations across major UK events. You will spearhead menus, costings, and kitchen leadership, collaborating with 1711 by Ascot and Sodexo Live! to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

You will manage large casual chef teams, ensure food quality, safety, and sustainability, and present concepts at client tastings while maintaining profitability and high service standards.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering high-volume major events
• Fine dining background in hotels/restaurants/contract catering
• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Financial awareness and ability to control food cost
• Excellent planning and organisational abilities
• Knowledge of food safety legislation

Responsibilities

• Champion and deliver Sodexo Live! and 1711 by Ascot standards
• Develop and deliver food offers and menus with Executive Chef
• Source produce with procurement team meeting client KPIs
• Lead menu development and innovation for memorable experiences
• Define event catering concepts including service style and guest experience
• Cost menus and manage price fluctuations to maintain profitability
• Deliver client tastings and present concepts to clients
• Balance creative kitchen work with admin planning and staffing
• Oversee day-to-day operation of event kitchens
• Lead and inspire culinary team to meet SLAs and client expectations

Skills

High-volume events

Fine dining

Leadership / people management

Menu development

Food safety & hygiene

Budgeting / food cost control

Client-facing & tastings

Operational planning

Communication

Education

Professional cookery qualification

Food Hygiene Level 3

IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Email clients/procurement systems

Job description

Location: No Fixed Place Of Work - South England, SW1A 1AA

Job Title: Head Chef (12months Fixed Term Contract)

Location: No fixed Place of work - South England

upto £60,000 Salary + flexible benefits

40 Hours / 5 out of 7days with requirement to work event days

Job Introduction

We are looking for an accomplished

Head Chef for a

12months Fixed Term Contract to take the culinary lead across some of the UK’s most exciting large-scale events, working in partnership with 1711 by Ascot and Sodexo Live!

This is a high-profile role for a chef who can combine creativity with exceptional operational leadership. From developing innovative fine-dining menus and presenting at client tastings to mobilising event kitchens and leading teams of up to 100 casual chefs, you will be responsible for turning hospitality menu concepts into memorable guest experiences.

You will thrive in a fast-paced environment where several premium food offers may be delivered simultaneously. You will bring structure, energy and commercial awareness to every stage of the event journey, ensuring food quality, safety, presentation and sustainability remain at the highest standard.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced major-events chef who enjoys working closely with clients, developing talented teams and proving what can be achieved in high-volume, temporary and greenfield event environments.

What You'll Do:

• Champion and deliver the vision and standards of Sodexo Live! and 1711 by Ascot.
• Develop and deliver food offers and menus in partnership with the Executive Chef and Head of Events, ensuring delivery within agreed timescales.
• Source high-quality produce in collaboration with procurement team and key suppliers, meeting event requirements, sourcing objectives, and client KPIs.
• Lead menu development and innovation, creating memorable food experiences that generate positive client feedback.
• Define and communicate event catering concepts, including food, service style, equipment, operational flow, and customer experience.
• Cost menus accurately, managing price fluctuations and product changes to maintain profitability.
• Deliver client tastings and confidently present menu concepts and dishes.
• Balance creative kitchen responsibilities with administrative planning, maintaining strong organisation across both areas.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of event kitchens, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and high standards of delivery.
• Oversee menu specifications, photography, labour planning, rotas, and staffing levels to optimise performance and control costs.
• Lead and inspire the culinary team to deliver exceptional food and service in line with Service Level Agreements and client expectations.

What You Bring:

• Demonstrable experience in a high-volume environment in major events
• Fine Dining background gained in hotels, restaurants, or contract catering
• A passionate interest in the catering industry – knowledge of current trends,
• A competent communicator and ability to present to colleagues, peers and clients
• Financial awareness and understanding of a food profit and loss account and articulate how to control food cost and generate a positive food margin
• Evidence of being organised and possess excellent planning skills
• A through understanding of Food Hygiene and Food Safety legislation
• Ability to competently use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Email
• Proven ability to manage and lead a team of chefs
• Allergen compliant
• Supervising Food Safely Level 3 qualification
• IOSH Managing Safely or similar qualification
• Previous Head Chef role or Lead Chef in a smaller operation
• Experience in the delivery of retail food operations
• Experience of working with clients in a contract catering environment
• Staff training experience or qualification
• Understanding of all food legislation

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance tobe part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you foryou;you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.

Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.

Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.

The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.

Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.

Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan

A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo

Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.

Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.

Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.

Flexible and dynamic work environment

Competitive compensation

Full training and full protective uniform supplied.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day 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 tobeingan 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.

Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.