Head Chef - Tadworth

Chartwells Independent; Tadworth; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meal on shift

Free access to site gym

Job summary

Compass Group UK&I is seeking a visionary Head Chef for a flagship contract at a corporate headquarters in Tadworth, Surrey. You will lead two kitchens delivering breakfast, lunch and coffee shop services, shaping a complex food and hospitality offer with high standards and operational excellence.

There is a strong emphasis on food creativity, supplier relationships and cost control, while maintaining quality across a busy service.

Qualifications

• Seasoned Head Chef with leadership in a busy kitchen.
• Strong focus on menu development and consistency.
• Experience balancing flavour with cost control.

Responsibilities

• Lead your kitchen to deliver high-quality, consistent plates.
• Create a kitchen culture prioritising high standards and innovation.
• Stay current with food trends and forward-thinking techniques.
• Build relationships with clients and stakeholders to align on expectations.
• Deliver excellence in quality, safety, sustainability and cost control.

Skills

Kitchen Leadership

Food Costing

Client Relations

Quality Standards

Job description

Head Chef

Location: Tadworth, Surrey

Salary: Up to £40,820 per annum, depending on experience

Benefits: Free meal on shift and free access to site gym

Working pattern: Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 3pm, flexibility required to meet needs of the business

Personality behind every plate. Food first. Always.

At Dine, food isn’t an add-on. It’s the centre of everything we do.

Founded in the Northwest in 1997, Dine Contract Catering was built by chefs and food lovers who believed workplace dining could be something more. Today, that chef-led, food-first mindset still defines us.

We’re a business where chefs are empowered to create, bringing together seasonal ingredients, local suppliers and bold ideas to deliver food experiences with real personality, purpose and pride. Every offer is tailored. Every menu has intent.

About the role

Are you ready to take the lead in a dynamic culinary environment where creativity, excellence, and innovation are always on the menu?

We're on the hunt for a visionary Head Chef who lives and breathes food, someone who’s not just skilled in the kitchen but dedicated to creating exceptional dining experiences. This is more than just a cooking role; it’s an opportunity to lead, inspire, and deliver unforgettable food programmes that push boundaries and excite every palate. If you're driven to constantly raise the bar, we want to hear from you.

Join a flagship contract based at a well-established corporate headquarters in Tadworth, within a modern campus offering contemporary facilities and a collaborative working environment.

This is a high-visibility role where you’ll shape a complex food and hospitality offer across 2 kitchens providing breakfast, lunch and coffee shop services across the site along with high volumes of hospitality. You’ll take responsibility for ensuring the site runs efficiently while maintaining consistently high standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead your kitchen like a well-seasoned pro, ensuring every plate tells a story of flavour, consistency, and character.
• Create a kitchen culture where high standards come naturally and pushing culinary boundaries is part of the daily rhythm.
• Stay sharp on food trends and forward-thinking techniques – you know what’s next before it hits the menu.
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders – you speak the language of food and business.
• Deliver excellence beyond the plate by hitting key targets in quality, safety, sustainability, and cost control.

What you’ll bring to the table:

• A seasoned Head Chef ready to take the lead in a flavour-driven environment.
• At true chef at heart, committed to delivering exceptional food experiences while upholding company standards and exceeding client expectations.
• Confident balancing flavour and finance. Skilled in food costing, supplier relationships, and smart kitchen economics.
• Calm, focused, and fast on your feet, you thrive in a busy service and never compromise on quality under pressure.

Hungry for more?

We also offer exciting culinary pathways for team members who want to level up. With real-time mentoring, hands‑on experience, and the chance to earn recognised qualifications, it’s a delicious way to grow your skills while doing what you love.

Job Reference: com/1009/43248001/52734674/BU #DINE

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!