Head Chef: Lead Bold, High-Volume Dining at Scale

Sodexo; Buckler's Park; Remote; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meals on duty

Free on-site parking

Career development

Employee discounts

Pension plan

Job summary

Wellington College is seeking an exceptional Head Chef to lead our high-volume dining operation, serving thousands of meals daily with premium quality and creativity.

Based at Wellington College in Berkshire, the role combines culinary leadership with operational excellence, delivering 3,300 meals a day, menu development, and cost-aware production while sustaining outstanding freshness and flavour for students and staff.

Qualifications

• Proven track record as Head Chef or senior culinary leader.
• Experience in high-volume kitchen or large-scale catering.
• Strong culinary technique and menu development skills.
• Experience leading and developing kitchen teams.
• Commercial understanding of food costs, budgets, labour.

Responsibilities

• Culinary direction and innovation across menus.
• Leading and developing a talented kitchen brigade.
• Delivering ~3,300 meals a day across services.
• Managing budgets, stock, and supplier relationships.
• Building relationships with students and staff.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Quality control

Food safety

Staff development

Budgeting

Education

NVQ Level 2/3

City & Guilds Cookery

Food Safety Qualifications

Job description

Wellington College is seeking an exceptional Head Chef to lead our high-volume dining operation, serving thousands of meals daily with premium quality and creativity.

Based at Wellington College in Berkshire, the role combines culinary leadership with operational excellence, delivering 3,300 meals a day, menu development, and cost-aware production while sustaining outstanding freshness and flavour for students and staff.