Head Chef - Events

Compass Group; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in the UK is seeking an experienced Events Head Chef to manage the production kitchen and deliver exceptional food for workplace catering and events. The role requires leadership skills, a strong focus on quality, and compliance in a fast-paced kitchen environment. The ideal candidate will have over 3 years of experience in a senior kitchen role and a passion for food.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programmes

Digital GP access and healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards on spending

Wellness and exercise classes

Qualifications

• 3+ years in a senior kitchen role, experience in a CPU is a major bonus.
• Strong on food safety, allergens and kitchen systems.
• Ability to lead a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Own all food production and lead a high-performing team.
• Drive daily prep, dispatch and on-site execution.
• Create exciting menus and train the team.

Skills

Leadership skills

Food safety knowledge

Creativity

Calm demeanor

Job description

We’re on the hunt for a Events Head Chef to lead our buzzing kitchen brigade at Grazing HQ. This is a full‑throttle, hands‑on role running our central production kitchen – delivering mouth‑watering food for workplace catering, events and delivery clients.

You’ll bring the flavour, the fire, and the leadership to match – driving daily operations, inspiring your team, smashing service standards, and keeping quality, consistency and costs firmly on point.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Own all food production and lead a high‑performing team.
• Run a tight, compliant, spotless kitchen with zero margin for error.
• Drive daily prep, dispatch and on‑site execution.
• Create exciting menus, train the team, and keep standards sky‑high.
• Manage stock, suppliers and hit financial targets.

What We’re After

• 3+ years in a senior kitchen role (CPU experience = major bonus).
• Killer leadership skills and a calm, can‑do mindset.
• Strong on food safety, allergens and kitchen systems.
• Creative, commercial and crazy about consistency.

You’ll Love This Job If You

Are all about flavour and team culture.

• Thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑volume kitchen.
• Want to help grow a values‑driven food business.
• Don’t mind loading a van or answering the phone if needed – we’re a team, not a hierarchy.

Sound Like Your Kind of Gig?

We ensure you’re rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

As part of Compass you’ll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/0311/43031001/52772915/SU #Grazing

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!