Head Chef - Lead Fresh Menus & High-Impact Kitchen

Compass Group UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Career Pathways

MyLearning programmes

Digital GP access

Healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Grocery discounts

Cinema discounts

Cash rewards

Wellness classes

Share discounts with family

Job summary

Lodestone House at Compass Group UK&I is recruiting a Head Chef for Alleyn’s Hampstead Senior in London. You’ll lead the food operation, produce high‑quality meals, and drive excellent standards across multiple catering outlets. This hands‑on role emphasizes food production, menu development and team leadership.

The ideal candidate has extensive Head Chef experience, strong food safety knowledge, and a commercial mindset for purchasing and budgeting in a busy school catering environment.

Qualifications

• Seasoned Head Chef with leadership of a busy kitchen and multi-outlet catering.
• Strong focus on fresh, high-quality food and seasonal menu development.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing a kitchen team.
• Solid knowledge of Food Safety, HSE and allergen requirements.
• A commercial mindset with budgeting and cost control experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the food production across catering outlets.
• Direct preparation and cooking of nutritious meals.
• Manage kitchen team and develop staff.
• Develop menus and support central menu plans.
• Control purchasing, stock, waste and food costs.
• Ensure food safety, cleanliness and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Fresh high-quality food

Menu development

Kitchen team leadership

Food safety knowledge

Purchasing & budgeting

Job description

Lodestone House at Compass Group UK&I is recruiting a Head Chef for Alleyn’s Hampstead Senior in London. You’ll lead the food operation, produce high‑quality meals, and drive excellent standards across multiple catering outlets. This hands‑on role emphasizes food production, menu development and team leadership.

The ideal candidate has extensive Head Chef experience, strong food safety knowledge, and a commercial mindset for purchasing and budgeting in a busy school catering environment.