Head Chef - Leeds

Chartwells Independent; Leeds; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monday to Friday

Job summary

The Head Chef role at Chartwells Independent in Leeds combines leadership of a busy kitchen with responsibility for retail, hospitality and events. You’ll deliver fresh, high-quality food, manage a small team, and work closely with the client to ensure outstanding service.

The position is Monday to Friday with a strong focus on HACCP, cost control and menu development. A Food Safety Level 3 is preferred and you’ll mentor staff to grow in a professional catering environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a busy kitchen operation.
• Experience in contract catering, hospitality or high-volume environments.
• Food Safety Level 3 qualification preferred.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Experience with menu planning and seasonal menu development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a small kitchen team, creating a positive and collaborative environment.
• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operation for smooth, efficient service.
• Prepare and deliver fresh, high-quality food across retail, hospitality and events.
• Create and develop seasonal menus that are exciting and commercially focused.
• Support corporate hospitality and events, delivering high standards of food and service.
• Manage stock, ordering, food costs and waste to meet GP targets.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and HACCP standards.
• Collaborate with General Manager and client to meet needs and expectations.
• Develop and train the team to grow and perform at their best.
• Keep the kitchen organised, professional and compliant at all times.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Menu planning

Food quality

Communication

Education

Food Safety Level 3 qualification

Job description

Head Chef - Leeds

£32,122 per annum | Monday to Friday

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to take the lead in a busy kitchen operation in Leeds, delivering fresh, high-quality food across both retail and hospitality services.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a confident chef who enjoys leading a team, creating great food and working closely with both the wider team and the client to deliver an outstanding customer experience.

You’ll take ownership of the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring consistently high standards across food quality, service, hygiene and safety.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and motivate a small kitchen team, creating a positive and collaborative working environment.
• Oversee the day-to-day kitchen operation, ensuring smooth and efficient service.
• Prepare and deliver fresh, high-quality food across retail, hospitality and events.
• Create and develop seasonal menus that are both exciting and commercially focused.
• Support corporate hospitality and events, delivering food and service to a consistently high standard.
• Manage stock, ordering, food costs and waste to achieve agreed GP targets.
• Maintain excellent food safety, hygiene and HACCP standards.
• Work closely with the General Manager and client to understand their needs and deliver against expectations.
• Support the development and training of your team, helping them to grow and perform at their best.
• Ensure the kitchen remains organised, professional and compliant at all times.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a confident and experienced Head Chef with a proven background in leading a busy kitchen operation. Experience within contract catering, hospitality or another high-volume environment would be highly beneficial.

You’ll ideally have:

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• A genuine passion for fresh, quality food.
• Experience with menu planning and seasonal menu development.
• Strong knowledge of stock management, purchasing and food cost control.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Experience working to food safety and HACCP standards.
• A Food Safety Level 3 qualification is preferred.
• The confidence to build strong relationships with clients, customers and colleagues.
• A flexible, hands-on approach and the ability to remain calm and organised in a busy environment.

What’s In It For You?

This is a Monday to Friday role, giving you a great work-life balance while still offering the opportunity to lead a varied kitchen operation, including retail, hospitality and events.

If you’re a Head Chef who takes pride in your food, enjoys developing people and wants to be part of a professional catering environment where quality really matters, we’d love to hear from you.