Head Chef - High-Volume Buffet & Seasonal Menus

Vacherin; Greater London; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Personal development

Life assurance

Pension

Holiday allowance

Healthcare app

Eye care

Wellbeing program

Volunteer days

Discount vouchers

Job summary

Vacherin in London is seeking a Head Chef to lead the day-to-day kitchen operations at a busy conference centre. The role is 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm, with occasional weekend work, and offers a salary of £48,000 per annum plus overtime.

You will deliver buffets for 200–300 guests, develop seasonal menus, manage labour, food costs and GP, while mentoring a small core kitchen team and maintaining top hygiene and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Strong Head Chef or senior kitchen leadership experience in a high-volume operation.
• Experience delivering buffet catering for 200–300 covers.
• Confident managing large services alongside additional food and event requirements.
• Strong understanding of GP, food costs, labour management and financial controls.
• Experience developing seasonal and event menus.
• Hands-on, organised and able to adapt quickly to changing business demands.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day kitchen operation within a busy conference centre.
• Deliver high-quality buffet services for up to 200–300 guests, including breakfast, lunch and large dinner events.
• Manage multiple food requirements alongside each other, including buffets, finger food, bowl food and occasional fine dining.
• Lead a small core kitchen team, bringing in additional chef support when required.
• Manage labour, ordering, stock, food costs and GP to achieve financial targets.
• Develop creative seasonal menus twice a year, as well as Christmas and event menus.
• Maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Ensure excellent food hygiene, health & safety and compliance standards.
• Remain hands-on in the kitchen while effectively planning and managing busy service periods.

Skills

Head Chef leadership

Buffet catering

Food cost GP

Menu development

Team management

Fine dining experience

Job description

Vacherin in London is seeking a Head Chef to lead the day-to-day kitchen operations at a busy conference centre. The role is 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm, with occasional weekend work, and offers a salary of £48,000 per annum plus overtime.

You will deliver buffets for 200–300 guests, develop seasonal menus, manage labour, food costs and GP, while mentoring a small core kitchen team and maintaining top hygiene and safety standards.