Lead Events Chef

Sodexo; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking a dynamic Lead Events Chef. In this role, you will be responsible for all culinary aspects of events in prestigious venues. You will lead and manage a team, ensuring high-quality food preparation and service for high-profile clients. Join us for a rewarding career with opportunities for growth and innovative culinary experiences.

Benefits

Online mental health and wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

Health and wellbeing app

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Salary Finance Platform

Sodexo Retirement Plan membership

Death-in-Service benefit

Career growth opportunities

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume events and fine dining environments.
• Previous experience as a Sous Chef or Head Chef.
• Strong leadership experience managing a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary aspects of events across multiple cultural destinations.
• Manage daily kitchen operations and ensure compliance with food safety standards.
• Collaborate with event managers to enhance client relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Organization

Communication

Culinary Expertise

Financial Awareness

Education

Supervising Food Safely Level 3 qualification

IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

• 40hrs pw, 5 over 7, early mornings - late evenings

Job Introduction

Heritage Portfolio is delighted to be recruiting for a dynamic Lead Events Chef. This role is perfect for someone looking to take the next step up!

Reporting to the Head of Events, you will lead all culinary aspects of events across five cultural destinations including the Wallace Collection, The Royal Academy of Arts, Trinity House, Lancaster House, and Insurance Hall. Your goal will be to drive excellence in food preparation, safety, and service across all events and client tastings. The successful candidate will be able to work independently and manage a team of nine while upholding high operational and food safety standards, ensuring timely, quality delivery that exceeds client expectations.

This role is ideal for someone interested in working high-end events serving high-profile guests in historic buildings.

If you’re passionate about leading a dynamic kitchen team and delivering exceptional culinary experiences, we’d love to hear from you.

What You'll Do:

• Understand and embody the vision of Sodexo Live and Heritage Portfolio to ensure consistent, high-quality event delivery.
• Participate in menu design, innovation, costing, and specification to support revenue growth, PR, and client satisfaction.
• Lead daily kitchen operations, including managing casual labor, kitchen organization, and compliance with food safety, allergen, and waste policies.
• Oversee menu photography and clearly communicate food, equipment, service flow, and customer experience for each event.
• Manage ordering to meet event specifications and budgets while minimizing waste, following established procedures.
• Collaborate with on-site and SQ event managers to build strong, positive business relationships.
• Ensure adherence to all company and client policies, including health & safety, hygiene, HR, and statutory regulations, and report incidents promptly.
• Participate in training, team meetings, and perform additional duties as assigned by senior team members.

What You Bring:

• Experience in high-volume environments, such as major events or banqueting operations.
• Background in fine dining, gained in hotels, restaurants, or contract catering.
• A passion for the catering industry, with knowledge of current trends, regular dining out, and enthusiasm for food.
• Strong communication skills and ability to present to colleagues, peers, and clients.
• Financial awareness, including understanding food profit and loss, controlling food costs, and generating positive margins.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Proven leadership experience managing a team of chefs.
• Supervising Food Safely Level 3 qualification.
• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent qualification.
• Previous experience as a Sous Chef or Head Chef in a smaller operation.
• Experience in retail food operations and working with clients in contract catering.
• Experience in staff upskilling.

What We Offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you, acts with purpose, and allows you to thrive in your own way. We offer various resources, rewards, and benefits, including:

• Online mental health and wellbeing support platform.
• Employee Assistance Programme for personal and work-related issues.
• A free health and wellbeing app with rewards, virtual GP, and other services.
• Sodexo Discounts Scheme with deals and cashback options.
• Financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Sodexo Retirement Plan membership.
• Death-in-Service benefit.
• Opportunities for career growth and development.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Volunteering opportunities.
• Flexible, dynamic work environment.
• Competitive pay and full training with protective uniform.

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today! Career progression for the caring profession.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of applications.

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone. We operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers daily through our services in On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards, and Personal & Home Services.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, a forces-friendly employer, and an advocate for diversity. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We also promote an inclusive culture through various Employee Networks and are a Disability Confident Leader employer.