Head Chef: Lead Five-Kitchen Military Catering

Compass Group UK; Royston; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Career development programmes

Digital GP & wider healthcare benefits

Exclusive travel discounts

Discounts on groceries

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards program

Wellness and fitness classes

Family and friend discounts

Job summary

Compass Group UK&I is seeking a Site Head Chef to lead five kitchens at Bassingbourn Barracks, delivering high-quality meals to up to 500 personnel and ensuring audit-ready standards. You will mentor Apprentice Chefs, manage stock and budgets, and work with site stakeholders to maintain operational excellence across a large catering operation.

This role offers a structured environment with leadership responsibilities, overtime for events, and career development within a leading on-site

Qualifications

• Hold City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2, NVQ Level 3 Professional Cookery or equivalent.
• Experience as Head Chef/Executive/Senior Chef in contract catering, defence, education, healthcare or high-volume hospitality.
• Experience managing multiple teams or large-scale catering operations.
• Strong leadership with a passion for coaching and developing others.
• Knowledge of Food Safety legislation and HACCP procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day-to-day operation of five kitchens across the site.
• Ensure meals meet menus, dietary requirements, and service standards.
• Coach and develop kitchen teams including Apprentice Chefs.
• Maintain high standards of food quality and presentation.
• Monitor stock, orders, inventory, and waste; control costs.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety and company procedures.
• Maintain audit-ready standards and cleaning schedules.
• Manage kitchen budgets and support financial performance.
• Support catering for site functions and events with overtime as needed.
• Serve as senior culinary lead and build relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Food safety & HACCP

Budget management

Stock management

Communication

Organisational skills

Mentoring

Education

City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2, NVQ Level 3 Pro Cookery or equivalent

Job description

Compass Group UK&I is seeking a Site Head Chef to lead five kitchens at Bassingbourn Barracks, delivering high-quality meals to up to 500 personnel and ensuring audit-ready standards. You will mentor Apprentice Chefs, manage stock and budgets, and work with site stakeholders to maintain operational excellence across a large catering operation.

This role offers a structured environment with leadership responsibilities, overtime for events, and career development within a leading on-site