Head Chef Monday-Friday

Vacherin; Greater London; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Personal development

Life assurance

Pension

Holiday allowance

Healthcare app

Eye care

Wellbeing program

Volunteer days

Discount vouchers

Job summary

Vacherin in London is seeking a Head Chef to lead the day-to-day kitchen operations at a busy conference centre. The role is 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm, with occasional weekend work, and offers a salary of £48,000 per annum plus overtime.

You will deliver buffets for 200–300 guests, develop seasonal menus, manage labour, food costs and GP, while mentoring a small core kitchen team and maintaining top hygiene and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Strong Head Chef or senior kitchen leadership experience in a high-volume operation.
• Experience delivering buffet catering for 200–300 covers.
• Confident managing large services alongside additional food and event requirements.
• Strong understanding of GP, food costs, labour management and financial controls.
• Experience developing seasonal and event menus.
• Hands-on, organised and able to adapt quickly to changing business demands.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day kitchen operation within a busy conference centre.
• Deliver high-quality buffet services for up to 200–300 guests, including breakfast, lunch and large dinner events.
• Manage multiple food requirements alongside each other, including buffets, finger food, bowl food and occasional fine dining.
• Lead a small core kitchen team, bringing in additional chef support when required.
• Manage labour, ordering, stock, food costs and GP to achieve financial targets.
• Develop creative seasonal menus twice a year, as well as Christmas and event menus.
• Maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Ensure excellent food hygiene, health & safety and compliance standards.
• Remain hands-on in the kitchen while effectively planning and managing busy service periods.

Skills

Head Chef leadership

Buffet catering

Food cost GP

Menu development

Team management

Fine dining experience

Job description

At Vacherin we celebrate diversity and embrace individuality. We genuinely like the people we work with, and love coming together to reset , refresh and have fun. We empower our people through togetherness , we give them the chance to shine and unlock their potential, and they fuel our strength and growth.

Are you passionate about food ,drink and service ,want to be part of an award-winning hospitality team- and still make it home for dinner? We are looking for a Head Chef to join our team in London.

Salary: £48,000 per annum plus Over time

Working pattern: 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm (Occasional weekend work when required)

Location: London, EC2V 7JD

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day kitchen operation within a busy conference centre.
• Deliver high-quality buffet services for up to 200–300 guests, including breakfast, lunch and large dinner events.
• Manage multiple food requirements alongside each other, including buffets, finger food, bowl food and occasional fine dining.
• Lead a small core kitchen team, bringing in additional chef support when required.
• Manage labour, ordering, stock, food costs and GP to achieve financial targets.
• Develop creative seasonal menus twice a year, as well as Christmas and event menus.
• Maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Ensure excellent food hygiene, health & safety and compliance standards.
• Remain hands-on in the kitchen while effectively planning and managing busy service periods.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Strong Head Chef or senior kitchen leadership experience within a busy, high-volume operation.
• Proven experience delivering buffet catering for 200–300 covers.
• Confident managing large services alongside additional food and event requirements.
• Strong understanding of GP, food costs, labour management and financial controls.
• Experience developing seasonal and event menus.
• Strong leadership skills and comfortable managing a small core team.
• Some fine dining experience would be beneficial.
• Hands-on, organised and able to adapt quickly to changing business demands.

What's in it for you?

Working with Vacherin has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we've developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.

• Personal Development and Training opportunities
• Life assurance scheme
• Pension scheme
• Holiday allowance
• Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
• 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

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!