Lead Chef

Aramark; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Parking

Perkbox discounts

Job summary

Aramark UK seeks a Lead Chef to oversee the preparation and presentation of high-quality food in a fast-paced catering environment. You will work with the General Manager and kitchen team to ensure exceptional service, safety, and customer satisfaction, while managing costs and maintaining compliance.

This permanent, full-time role offers 37.5 hours weekly (Mon-Fri, 7am-3pm) with free meals on shift, parking, and Perkbox discounts. PVG checks apply; Level 3 Food Hygiene training provided.

Qualifications

• Experience in a professional kitchen, ideally in a senior/supervisory role.
• Strong food preparation and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards.
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities.
• Effective communication and teamwork with kitchen and front-of-house teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and presentation of high-quality food, ensuring menu specifications and service standards.
• Maintain compliance with food safety, health and safety, and company policies at all times.
• Manage food ordering and stock levels to meet operational needs.
• Monitor food costs, control portions, and minimise waste to hit budget targets.
• Ensure service counters and displays are well stocked and attractive during service.
• Support and supervise kitchen operations and preparations for future service.
• Deliver excellent customer service with a professional approach under pressure.
• Collaborate with GM, FOH, and kitchen teams to drive high standards and improvement.

Skills

Lead kitchen role

Food safety

Team leadership

Customer service

Time management

Job description

Are you a passionate and experienced chef looking to take the lead in a fast-paced catering environment? We are seeking a talented Lead Chef to oversee the preparation and presentation of high-quality food, ensuring exceptional standards of service, food safety, and customer satisfaction. Working closely with the General Manager and kitchen team, you will play a key role in delivering an outstanding dining experience while managing food costs, maintaining compliance, and supporting the development of a positive team culture. If you thrive under pressure and take pride in producing great food with consistency and professionalism, we'd love to hear from you.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all employees and workers to share this commitment. All roles are subject to safer recruitment checks, including references and a PVG check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

What's in it for you:

• Permanent role
• Full time- 37.5 hours per week
• Monday to Friday
• 7am-3pm
• Free meals on shift and parking
• Access to 100s of discounts through Perkbox

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and presentation of high-quality food, ensuring all dishes meet menu specifications, portion standards, and service requirements.
• Maintain compliance with food safety, health and safety, and company policies at all times.
• Manage food ordering and stock levels to ensure ingredients are available and deliveries meet operational needs.
• Monitor food costs, control portion sizes, and minimise waste to achieve budget targets.
• Ensure service counters and food displays are fully stocked, attractive, and maintained throughout service periods.
• Support and supervise kitchen operations, including food preparation, cleaning, and preparation for future service.
• Deliver excellent customer service by responding positively to customer needs and maintaining a professional approach under pressure.
• Work collaboratively with the General Manager, Front of House team, and kitchen colleagues to drive high standards and continuous improvement.

Key Requirements:

• Previous experience in a professional kitchen environment, ideally in a senior chef or supervisory role.
• Strong food preparation and presentation skills with the ability to consistently deliver high-quality dishes.
• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards, with a commitment to maintaining compliance at all times.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities, with the confidence to work effectively with kitchen, front-of-house, and management teams.
• Enhanced PVG clearance (required), with a Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate provided as part of the role.

About Aramark

At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive. As a proud Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey.
We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any accommodations or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team – [e-mail]
Join us in fostering a workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential.