School Head Chef - Eastbourne

Chartwells Independent; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Career development

Digital GP / health benefits

Healthcare perks

Travel discounts

Groceries discounts

Job summary

Lodestone House is part of Compass Group UK&I, providing catering and support services to independent schools in the UK. We are seeking a Head Chef to lead culinary operations and develop menus that reflect our commitment to high standards and exceptional service.

You will manage a multi-outlet kitchen, drive quality and cost efficiency, and mentor a team to deliver exciting, nutritious meals daily. A competitive salary and career development opportunities await the successful candidate.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of diverse catering and food service operations.
• Ability to manage a busy multi-outlet environment.
• Understanding of food safety standards and COSHH.
• Strong budgeting and cost-control awareness.
• Experience leading culinary teams in high-quality settings.
• Customer-focused mindset and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Delivery of a range of food and catering services across outlets in a complex, busy environment.
• HeadChef will plan, organise and direct food preparation to uphold quality.
• Take responsibility for food production with a hands-on leadership approach.
• Drive sales through menu planning, promotions, and supplier relationships.
• Ensure all aspects of food safety, HSE and COSHH are followed.

Skills

Culinary skills

Staff management

Waste prevention

Passion for food

Teamwork

Organisation

Numeracy

Costs & budgeting

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 (35 working weeks, 39 paid weeks)
• 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

Fantastic opportunity at a prestigious Independent School.

What you'll be doing:

Lodestone House is the leading provider of catering and support services to Independent Schools in the UK. We provide innovative catering, hospitality and food service by creating imaginative menus delivered with an exceptional service.

We nurture and develop our teams to enrich their skills which allows them to show their passion and inspiration that as a company we are proud to encourage.

You will be leading a team who share the same passion for preparing excited fresh and nutritious food on a daily basis. This is a complex, busy and multi-facetted environment that also offers a great work life balance.

In return we offer support and development to grow within our business alongside a competitive salary.

More about the role:

• Delivery of a range of food and catering services across a number of outlets in a complex, busy and multi-facetted environment
• The HeadChef will plan, organise and direct the preparation and cooking of food ensuring that the company’s reputation for quality is enhanced with customers and clients at all times
• Taking responsibility for the food production with a hands-on approach
• Driving sales through centrally driven menu planning and promotions and preferred suppliers
• Responsible for all aspects of food safety, HSE and COSHH
• The HeadChef will also be required to implement and maintain food monitoring procedures to facilitate budgetary control and to monitor all costs involved in the kitchen against agreed budgets.

Who you are:

• Excellent and Innovative culinary and presentation skills
• Excellent Communication and Interpersonal skills
• Energetic with a passion to do a great job
• Able to manage staff in a calm, inspirational manner
• A forward-thinker who can prevent wastage
• Demonstrates a passion for food
• Team Player
• Excellent organisation skills
• Numerate and computer literate with an understanding of financial drivers
• A clear understanding of profit margins, purchasing policy, budgeting and food costing, including control

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.

Job Reference: com/1208/44301001/52795604/R/SU #Lodestone House

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!