School Head Chef - Chester

Compass Group UK; Chester; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

Healthcare benefits

Onsite free car parking

Career development programs

Travel discounts

Groceries discounts

Wellness and mindfulness classes

Digital GP access

Job summary

Compass Group UK&I, on behalf of Chartwells, is recruiting an ambitious Head Chef for a full-time role contracted to 40 hours per week and 42.6 weeks per year. You will drive culinary excellence across the site, shaping the dining experience for clients and customers.

You will lead a busy kitchen, develop your team, manage stock and budgets, and ensure compliance with Food Hygiene and Health & Safety standards while upholding the Compass brand values and quality.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or senior kitchen leadership.
• Ability to create high-quality menus and cuisine.
• Strong leadership and team-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare high-quality food and oversee kitchen operations.
• Identify improvements to food service.
• Lead and develop kitchen team.
• Control stock, ordering, and waste.
• Ensure hygiene and safety compliance.
• Manage budgets and meet financial targets.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team motivation

Time management

Food safety

Menu planning

Education

City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or NVQ equivalent

Job description

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Monday to Friday
• Term time only (42.6 weeks per year)
• Onsite free car parking
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

Please note: This role is contracted to 42.6 weeks per year

We're currently recruiting an ambitious Head Chef to help us create exceptional food experiences for Chartwells on a full time basis, contracted to 40 hours per week.

As a Head Chef, you will be responsible for creating an outstanding culinary experience. In return, you will have the chance to progress your career with a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate.

Could you bring your spark to Chartwells? Here's what you need to know before applying for a Head Chef position with Compass Group UK&I.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Preparing delicious, high-quality food that delights our clients and customers
• Identifying opportunities to improve our food service
• Creating a positive kitchen environment where your team feel welcomed and supported
• Delivering our tasty food concepts to our customers
• Representing Compass Group UK&I and maintaining a positive brand image
• Ordering food, looking after stock control and controlling food waste
• Overseeing kitchen cleaning responsibilities to maintain hygiene standards
• Managing budgets and successfully meeting financial targets
• Complying with Food Handling & Hygiene standards
• Complying with Health & Safety regulations

Our ideal Head Chef will:

• Hold a City & Guilds 706/1 & 2 or NVQ equivalent
• Create a positive work environment where the whole team can thrive
• Be a brilliant communicator and easily build relationships
• Have experience in a similar Head Chef role
• Strive for excellence in an enthusiastic and motivated manner
• Take initiative and make decisions that are right for our customers
• Have a desire to succeed in your role
• Possess the ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrate exceptional timekeeping and reliability
• Have a safety-first mind set
• Passionate about food

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

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!