Head Chef – Creative Menus, Team Lead, Edinburgh

Chartwells Independent; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Personal development opportunities

Life assurance scheme

Pension scheme

Holiday allowance

Healthcare support app

Eye care

Wellbeing strategy

Volunteering days

Discount vouchers

Job summary

Gather & Gather is seeking a Head Chef in Edinburgh to own the culinary offer for a high-profile contract catering site. You will develop menus across all service periods and lead a kitchen team to deliver exceptional food and service.

Collaboration with Front of House will be key to a joined-up guest experience. The role requires proven Head Chef experience, strong cost control and a track record of menu concept-to-delivery in quality environments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience operating at Head Chef level within a quality food environment.
• Experience within contract catering or independent high street restaurants.
• Track record creating successful menus from concept through to delivery.
• Strong commercial acumen including budgeting and margin management.
• Experience training, coaching and developing kitchen teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working closely with Front of House teams to develop joined-up customer experiences.

Responsibilities

• Create, develop and implement menus from scratch across breakfast, lunch, sharing plates and evening dining.
• Manage food costing, menu engineering and kitchen budgets to deliver strong commercial performance.
• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team, creating a positive and high-performing culture.
• Recruit, train and mentor chefs at all levels.
• Work collaboratively with Front of House colleagues to enhance customer experience and drive sales.
• Maintain the highest standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene and safety.
• Manage stock control, ordering processes and supplier relationships.
• Drive innovation and continually review and improve the food proposition.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety and health & safety legislation.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Menu development

Budgeting

Staff coaching

Stakeholder management

Food safety

Job description

Gather & Gather is seeking a Head Chef in Edinburgh to own the culinary offer for a high-profile contract catering site. You will develop menus across all service periods and lead a kitchen team to deliver exceptional food and service.

Collaboration with Front of House will be key to a joined-up guest experience. The role requires proven Head Chef experience, strong cost control and a track record of menu concept-to-delivery in quality environments.