Head Chef - Ashford

PGL; Ashford; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

PGL is seeking a Head Chef for Grosvenor Hall in Ashford, Kent, to lead the catering team in providing nutritious meals for adventure camps. This permanent position offers a chance to make a significant impact on children's outdoor experiences while ensuring high standards of food safety and quality. Join a team that values fun, safety, and inclusivity, and enjoy benefits like free meals and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Free meals and subsidised accommodation

Access to Wellbeing Hub and Employee Assistance Program

Financial wellbeing support

Training, mentoring, career development, and qualifications

Savings and perks at high street retailers

Qualifications

• Experience as a Sous Chef or Head Chef in a mid-to-large scale environment.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and handling dietary requirements, including allergies.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Chefs and Catering Assistants.
• Organize rotas and set objectives for the catering team.
• Oversee food hygiene and dietary requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational Skills

Food Hygiene Knowledge

Understanding of Food Mass Production

Education

City & Guilds 7061/2 (or equivalent)

Level 3+ in Food Safety and Allergen Management

Job description

Do you believe in the power of adventure?

• Grosvenor Hall Activity Centre
• Based in Ashford, Kent
• £27,227.20 per annum
• 40 hours per week
• Permanent contract

Grosvenor Hall is a stunning residential activity centre located in Ashford, Kent. It offers thrilling residential adventure camps for children, helping them achieve the 'impossible' and providing extraordinary outdoor experiences.

Join Grosvenor Hall's exciting journey. Recently acquired by PGL Beyond, we are welcoming guests and improving the centre ahead of its relaunch as a new PGL centre in 2026. Be part of this transformation.

Use your catering skills to fuel adventure

PGL creates breakthroughs for children through active outdoor experiences. We are part of PGL Beyond, a group of companies dedicated to delivering enriching and transformative experiences for the younger generation.

By joining PGL, you will help make outdoor education more impactful, sustainable, and inclusive for future generations.

A Head Chef position like no other

Our catering team serves tasty and nutritious meals, combining familiar favourites and new cuisines to keep the adventure going. We provide recipes to focus on executing proven menus while maintaining high safety standards.

This role offers limited late nights, with most Fridays or Saturdays off, especially outside peak season, and no work over Christmas.

As Head Chef, reporting to the Catering Manager, you will manage a team of Chefs and Catering Assistants, organize rotas, set objectives, and oversee food hygiene, dietary requirements, and financial management.

Is this you?

• Experience as a Sous Chef or Head Chef in a mid-to-large scale environment
• Understanding of food mass production
• Strong leadership and organizational skills
• Knowledge of food hygiene and handling dietary requirements, including allergies
• City & Guilds 7061/2 (or equivalent) and Level 3+ in Food Safety and Allergen Management

We value FUN, SAFETY, QUALITY, INCLUSIVITY, TEAMWORK, and RESPECT. If you share these values, we want to hear from you.

A place to thrive

We welcome everyone to be themselves, have fun, and celebrate what makes them unique.

Putting our people first

• Free meals and subsidised accommodation for on-centre staff
• Access to Wellbeing Hub and Employee Assistance Program
• Financial wellbeing support
• Training, mentoring, career development, and qualifications
• Savings and perks at high street retailers

PGL is part of PGL Beyond, transforming adventure experiences worldwide.

For the full Job Description and Personal Specification, click here.

For inquiries, contact [e-mail].

We are committed to diversity and inclusion. We ensure accessibility in our application process and provide adjustments upon request. Please email or call us with your needs.

All employees undergo an Enhanced criminal records check (DBS/PVG), which we cover. You will need to provide a 5-year address history and ID. Convictions related to violence, drugs, or safeguarding may affect your application, but each case is assessed individually.