Head Chef - Castleford

Chartwells Independent; Castleford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A culinary service provider is seeking a talented Head Chef to lead their kitchen in Castleford. This position involves creating exceptional dining experiences and developing a strong kitchen team of passionate chefs. You'll need to be skilled in managing food costs, maintaining high standards, and inspiring creativity within the culinary team. If you're ready to set the standard in a fast-paced environment and push culinary boundaries, we want to hear from you. This role offers a competitive salary, up to £32,000 per annum, depending on experience.

Qualifications

• Experienced Head Chef in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Skilled in food costing and supplier management.
• Ability to develop and mentor a high-performing kitchen team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team to deliver exceptional dining experiences.
• Maintain high standards of food quality, safety, and sustainability.
• Stay updated on food trends and cooking techniques.

Skills

Leadership in culinary environments

Creativity in food preparation

Food costing and kitchen economics

Building client relationships

Ability to work under pressure

Job description

Head Chef

Location: Castleford

Working Pattern: Monday - Friday, 6:30am to 2:30pm

Salary: Up to £32,000 per annum, depending on experience

Are you ready to take the lead in a dynamic culinary environment where creativity, excellence, and innovation are always on the menu?

We're on the hunt for a visionary Head Chef who lives and breathes food, someone who’s not just skilled in the kitchen but dedicated to creating exceptional dining experiences. This is more than just a cooking role; it’s an opportunity to lead, inspire, and deliver unforgettable food programmes that push boundaries and excite every palate. If you're driven to constantly raise the bar and love developing a high‑performing kitchen team that thrive on creativity and excellence, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead your kitchen like a well‑seasoned pro, ensuring every plate tells a story of flavour, consistency, and character.
• Create a kitchen culture where high standards come naturally and pushing culinary boundaries is part of the daily rhythm.
• Stay sharp on food trends and forward‑thinking techniques, you know what’s next before it hits the menu.
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, you speak the language of food and business.
• Deliver excellence beyond the plate by hitting key targets in quality, safety, sustainability, and cost control.

What you’ll bring to the table

• A seasoned Head Chef ready to take the lead in a fast‑paced, flavour‑driven environment with multiple dining touchpoints.
• Energised by developing talent and creating a kitchen team that thrives on excellence, efficiency, and shared success.
• Chefs at heart, committed to delivering exceptional food experiences while upholding company standards and exceeding client expectations.
• Confident balancing flavour and finance. Skilled in food costing, supplier relationships, and smart kitchen economics.
• Calm, focused, and fast on your feet, you thrive in a busy service and never compromise on quality under pressure.

Hungry for more?

We also offer exciting culinary pathways for team members who want to level up. With real‑time mentoring, hands‑on experience, and the chance to earn recognised qualifications, it’s a delicious way to grow your skills while doing what you love.

Dine provides tailored food services to 140 clients in the business and industry sector. With over two decades of industry experience, we pride ourselves on offering a personalised approach to our clients, whilst delivering outstanding service. Our passion lies in creating great‑tasting menus, promoting sustainability, and proudly working with local suppliers and communities. That's why our menus feature only locally sourced, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients with a target of reaching Climate Zero by 2030.

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