Head Chef - Pontefract

Compass Group; Pontefract; On-site; GBP 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider is seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen in Pontefract. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, a passion for fresh ingredients, and a sound understanding of food safety. Responsibilities include managing the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food preparation, and maintaining hygiene standards. This role offers a competitive salary, with the opportunity to make a significant impact in workplace catering.

Qualifications

• Strong experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef.
• Passionate about fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Sound understanding of food safety and kitchen compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen and inspire the team to deliver high-quality food.
• Work with the catering manager for exceptional service.
• Ensure food hygiene and safety standards.
• Manage stock ordering and kitchen preparations.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety compliance

Team collaboration

Creativity

Job description

Head Chef - Pontefract

£30,985 per annum

40 Hours per week

5 over 7 - Mainly Sunday - Thursday

Are you a passionate, hands‑on chef who loves creating fresh, flavour‑packed food and leading a team to deliver it daily?

We’re on the hunt for a Head Chef to run the kitchen at our vibrant Next Distribution Centre in South Elmsall. With a steady flow of hungry team members to feed, you’ll have the chance to showcase your creativity, drive standards, and make a real difference in people’s day.

About the role

• Take the lead in our kitchen - inspire and guide your team to deliver high‑quality, freshly prepared food every day
• Work closely with the catering manager to deliver exceptional service across all food offerings
• Ensure food hygiene, allergen management, and health & safety standards are always on point
• Keep things running smoothly behind the scenes - from ordering stock to managing prep and rotas

Our ideal candidate

• A strong, experienced Head Chef or Sous Chef ready to step up
• A true foodie who’s passionate about fresh, seasonal ingredients
• A confident leader who brings the team together and gets the job done
• Sound understanding of food safety and kitchen compliance
• Organised, proactive, and ready to roll up your sleeves

About Us

We connect workplaces to mindful, flavourful & planet‑positive catering

At Eurest, we are the experts in workplace catering, operating in over 700 workspaces every day. We know that fuelling employees throughout the day can help to sharpen their thinking, nourish their bodies and minds and ultimately, motivate them to perform at their best. Our workplace food experiences are driven by our promise to live more sustainably and responsibly, working towards our goal of net zero by 2030.