Head Chef - The Excel

Chartwells Independent; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head Chef to lead a dynamic kitchen team at ExCeL London, a premier venue for world-class events. This role is pivotal in managing kitchen operations, inspiring staff, and achieving high customer satisfaction. With a commitment to exceptional service, the successful candidate will oversee financial performance and ensure compliance with company policies. Join a vibrant hospitality team that values diversity, sustainability, and culinary excellence, and make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment where your leadership and culinary skills will shine.

Benefits

Healthcare benefits

Free annual healthcare check

Entertainment discounts

Health and Wellbeing discounts

Travel discounts

Shopping discounts

Meals on duty

Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

23 days + BH’s and additional leave

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role within a demanding food environment is essential.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead your team to deliver exceptional service.
• Manage all Kitchen Operations and ensure compliance with company standards.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Communication Skills

P&L Accountability

Stakeholder Management

Job description

Head Chef - ExCel London

ExCeL London, the home of world leading events, is enjoying a period of significant growth and is set to become Europe’s largest connected convention centre with the opening of a new extension in Spring 2025, increasing capacity by 25%. To support this exciting expansion, we’re growing our world-class hospitality team that will help to deliver over 400 leading industry events every year. ExCeL London Hospitality caters for the biggest, most influential events in the UK, from executive meetings to large scale conferences and exhibitions. We boast a highly trained team of managers, chefs, and waiting staff, who ensure our customers receive the best possible service.

Overall Purpose of the Role:

• Develop and lead your team and inspire them to deliver exceptional service to our clients and guests.
• Manage and administer all Kitchen Operations and procedures, complying with company standards and policies.
• Review business performance and ensure delivery of key financial targets and customer feedback targets of 90%.

Benefits Package:

• Medicash – Healthcare benefits, including dental, optical and therapy treatments (includes up to 4 dependent children)
• Aviva Digicare – Free annual healthcare check
• Exclusive Benefits + Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)
• Entertainment discounts – up to 55% off cinema tickets
• Health and Wellbeing discounts – Discounts for Nuffield Health (20%) and Pure Gym (10%)
• Travel discounts – Discounts with holiday companies such as TUI and Expedia
• Shopping discounts – Save up to 15% at high street and online stores by purchasing Shopping Cards
• Meals on duty
• Vodafone discounts
• Pension scheme and Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 23 days + BH’s and an additional day off for your birthday
• 2 days additional leave, following return from Maternity leave during the first year back
• Competitive and supportive family benefits
• Day off for baby's 1st birthday
• Holiday purchase scheme
• On-going training, development and career pathways
• Professional subscriptions paid
• Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products

Who you are:

• Previous experience in a similar role within a demanding food environment (essential)
• Experience of working with a client group
• Previous P+L accountability
• Ability to lead others
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to influence and operate at all stakeholder levels
• Ability to drive change with effective project and stakeholder management skills

Who we are:

Levy UK + Ireland is the vibrant and exciting sector of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company. We work at some of the greatest venues in the world, delivering legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality. We are culinary champions – it’s what we do and it’s what we are passionate about. At the core of our work is the belief that sustainably sourced great food and drink, coupled with exceptional service is key to creating legendary experiences.

Focussed on ‘doing the right thing’ for our people and the planet, sustainability, wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do. We have a commitment to being Net Zero by 2027, are official partners of the British Paralympic Association, and are proud to pay all our team members at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.

At Levy UK + Ireland, we take pride in fostering a workplace culture that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion. We believe that our differences are our greatest strengths, and we are committed to creating an environment where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered.

Join us in our journey towards a more diverse and inclusive world, where every person has the chance to thrive and contribute their unique talents. Together, we can achieve greatness.