Head Chef - London

ESS; London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

ESS seeks a passionate Head Chef for Angela Hartnett's new restaurant at the Royal Opera House. This impactful role involves leading a kitchen team, focusing on seasonal cooking and ingredient quality, as well as shaping the culinary vision for a high-profile opening in Covent Garden.

Benefits

Meals on shift

Employee discounts

Access to mentorship from senior chefs

Personal development and training opportunities

Life assurance scheme

Pension scheme

Holiday allowance

Private medical eligibility

Wellbeing strategy

Regular social events

Qualifications

• Track record in quality, high-volume kitchens.
• Experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous ready to step up.
• Ability to create a positive team culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily service and ensure food quality and presentation.
• Manage kitchen rotas, recruitment, and training.
• Work with the GM on menu development.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Seasonal Cooking

Team Management

Job description

Head Chef - London

Head Chef - Angela Hartnett's New Restaurant at the Royal Opera House
Full-time | Covent Garden, London | Opening September 2025

A landmark opening. A kitchen built on care, craft and character. A rare opportunity to shape something special.

We're Company of Cooks, and in partnership with Angela Hartnett MBE, we're launching an exciting new restaurant and rooftop terrace at the Royal Opera House. With a 150-cover dining room, newly redesigned interiors, and panoramic views over Covent Garden Piazza, this is set to become one of London's most talked-about new openings.

We're looking for a Head Chef to lead this kitchen, someone who combines strong leadership with real warmth, has an obsession with great produce and seasonal cooking, and knows how to run a service that's as calm and confident behind the scenes as it is seamless for guests.

About the food

Angela Hartnett's food is ingredient-led, Italian-rooted, and full of soul. The menu will be an all-day offering, from lunch to aperitivo to elegant evening service - built around simplicity, seasonality and depth of flavour. There's room for creativity, but above all it's food people want to eat.

About the role

As Head Chef, you'll be responsible for bringing this vision to life, running the day-to-day kitchen operation, leading a team of around 15 chefs, and working closely with Angela's team, Company of Cooks leadership, and our General Manager to make the kitchen a truly outstanding place to work - and eat.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in high-volume, high-quality environments. You'll set the tone in the kitchen, ensure consistency across every dish, and bring structure and inspiration to the way the team works.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading daily service and ensuring food quality, presentation and pace is always on point
• Working closely with our GM and Angela's team on menu development, daily specials and seasonal changes
• Managing kitchen rotas, recruitment and training to build a strong, motivated brigade
• Upholding kitchen standards across food safety, cleanliness and compliance
• Managing stock, controlling GP, and working with our suppliers to source the best seasonal ingredients
• Creating a positive, inclusive and developmental team culture where everyone is valued and supported

What we're looking for:

• An experienced Head Chef (or strong Senior Sous ready to step up) with a track record in quality, high-volume kitchens
• A calm, level-headed leader who brings clarity and consistency to every service
• A strong communicator who can collaborate across kitchen, front-of-house and senior teams
• A natural coach and mentor who takes pride in bringing others on and building solid teams
• A real passion for seasonal cooking, with a deep respect for ingredients and the craft of simple, elegant food

What you'll get from us:

• The opportunity to lead one of London's most exciting new restaurant openings
• A supportive leadership team and the backing of an established food-focused hospitality business
• Access to mentorship from Angela Hartnett and senior Company of Cooks chefs
• Meals on shift, good coffee, a beautiful kitchen space and a team culture built on care and respect
• Free meals and hot drinks while working, employee discounts, and access to training, development and growth across Company of Cooks and Compass Group.

This is a chance to take on a high-profile, high-reward role, with the space to shape your own kitchen, lead a team in your style, and cook food you can be proud of.

If this sounds like the kind of kitchen you want to run, we'd love to hear from you.

We also offer:

• Personal Development and Training opportunities

• Life assurance scheme
• Pension scheme
• Holiday allowance
• Private medical eligibility
• Eye care
• A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
• Family friendly support
• Regular social events and communication with our leaders
• A holiday purchase scheme
• Volunteering days
• Professional subscriptions
• Recognition schemes and people awards
• Long service awards
• Access to some great high street discount vouchers