Head Chef (Putteridge Bury)

University of Bedfordshire; Luton; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Bedfordshire is seeking a Head Chef for its Putteridge Bury location, focusing on delivering exceptional service to commercial and wedding clients. This role involves managing a dedicated catering team, ensuring food safety compliance, and contributing to the site's transformation into a commercial hub. Candidates should have extensive kitchen management experience, particularly in event settings, and possess a collaborative approach to innovation in food offerings.

Benefits

Generous pension

Free fitness classes

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience at Sous Chef level or above.
• Deep understanding of HACCP, EHO compliance, and COSHH regulations.
• Experience in a busy event business like hotels or wedding venues.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small catering team to deliver high-quality food.
• Manage budget and stock control.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.

Skills

Food Safety

Kitchen Operations

Cost Control

Team Leadership

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below.

Job details

Job title Head Chef (Putteridge Bury) Job reference BEDS2841 Date posted 09/06/2025 Application closing date 07/07/2025 Location Putteridge Bury Salary Salary: Grade 7 - £39,355 Contract Permanent Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Professional services Attachments Blank Job information

We’re seeking a Head Chef to help deliver and enhance our offering to our Commercial and Wedding Clients here at the beautiful Putteridge Bury site - someone who will lead with professional expertise, knowledge and judgement to help deliver service.

Putteridge Bury is currently undergoing a transformation from a University Campus to a Commercial Site and this is a very exciting time for a Head Chef to come on board and bring in their own ideas and experiences to this dedicated team. We are still part of the University so therefore enjoy the benefits of a great work balance and staff benefits.

Our Head Chef reports to the House Services Manager at Putteridge Bury House and works as line manager of a small but dedicated catering team to deliver high quality foods for our weddings and conference guests. The Head Chef will offer ideas in regards to food offering and develop our offer through effective recruitment, workforce planning and operational effectiveness.

The Head Chef will adopt responsibility for delivery of the Food Safety Policy and will work alongside the House Services Manager to ensure that the highest of standards are maintained all legislative requirements are met. The post holder will contribute to regular audit and review of the Food Safety Policy to develop and maintain the best possible standards across all operational areas and will adopt responsibility for staff training. As part of the site management team the Head Chef will contribute to the peer group in developing wider policies and procedures to support effective operational outputs across the operation.

The Head Chef will be responsible for supplier liaison and will hold budget responsibility for the purchase and control of stock, with particular focus on margin control, stock holding and the control of wastage and loss.

This is a key operational position, and it will be essential that the post holder is a visible part of the team, there will be a high level of evening and weekend work expected within the role. Although the role will be based at our Putteridge Bury site there may be a requirement to work across other areas of operation within the University from time to time.

What you’ll bring:

Experience of kitchen operations at a minimum of Sous Chef Level

A deep understanding of Food Safety through HACCP management policy, EHO compliance and COSHH regulations.

A collaborative, forward-thinking approach to the development of the wider business plan and specifically the food offering and working with the Sales and Service Team to enhance the offering.

Experience within a busy Event business be that in a hotel, conference centre or wedding venue but still with the ability to control all related costs.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to shape the future of Putteridge Bury and put your own thoughts and ideas to a very receptive team.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Richard Fisher, House Services Manager via [e-mail] or on 07702 618235.

Final Interviews will be held on Tuesday 5 August 2025

For a full job description and person specification please click here

The post will be based at Putteridge Bury (with travel to other campuses as required).

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those who may feel underrepresented due to socioeconomic circumstances, such as individuals from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E.) backgrounds. At our university, we strive to create an environment where everyone can be themselves and are supported to achieve their full potential.

In line with our commitment to inclusion and diversity, we are proud to be working towards the Race Equality Charter (REC), which helps us address and reduce barriers that disproportionately affect B.A.M.E. staff. We are also a Stonewall Diversity Champion, ensuring that all LGBTQ+ people are valued and respected at work. Additionally, we participate in the Disability Confident Scheme to support our efforts to improve the workplace experience for disabled individuals.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

We offer a range of employee benefits including a generous pension and annual leave entitlement, free fitness classes and gym membership, flexible working arrangements, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies For further details, pleaseclick here

To Apply

Please visit our websitewww.beds.ac.uk/jobs .

For any enquires contact People & Culture emailp&[e-mail] .

Please note a Curriculum Vitae will only be accepted if accompanied by a fully completed University application form.