Kitchen jobs in United Kingdom

Head Chef - No Weekends!

Location: Kenilworth, CV8 2TQ

Working Pattern: 35 Hours, Monday - Friday, 7am until 2:30pm

Salary: £15.15 per hour

Driving licence and access to a vehicle required due to location of the site

Are you ready to take the lead in a dynamic culinary environment where creativity, excellence, and innovation are always on the menu?

We're on the hunt for a visionary Head Chef who lives and breathes food, someone who’s not just skilled in the kitchen but dedicated to creating exceptional dining experiences. This is more than just a cooking role; it’s an opportunity to lead, inspire, and deliver unforgettable food programmes that push boundaries and excite every palate. If you're driven to constantly raise the bar and love developing a high-performing kitchen team that thrive on creativity and excellence, we want to hear from you.

From fuelling early risers with vibrant breakfasts to crafting crave-worthy lunches and delivering unforgettable VIP hospitality, your role will be as varied as it is exciting — from barista-led coffee corners and grab-and-go lunches, corporate dining, and standout hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead your kitchen like a well-seasoned pro, ensuring every plate tells a story of flavour, consistency, and character.
• Oversee every stage of production - from prep to pass - making sure each dish is as beautiful as it is delicious.
• Create a kitchen culture where high standards come naturally and pushing culinary boundaries is part of the daily rhythm.
• Keep flavour, freshness, and food safety in perfect harmony - no shortcuts, no compromises.
• Team up with events, operations, and hospitality colleagues to serve up memorable moments, from intimate dining to bold VIP banquets.
• Champion seasonal ingredients, bold flavours, and sustainable practices that excite guests and respect the planet.
• Stay sharp on food trends and forward-thinking techniques - you know what’s next before it hits the menu.
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders - you speak the language of food and business.
• Deliver excellence beyond the plate by hitting key targets in quality, safety, sustainability, and cost control.

What you’ll bring to the table:

• A seasoned Head Chef or ambitious Senior Sous ready to take the lead in a fast-paced, flavour-driven environment with multiple dining touchpoints.
• A natural kitchen leader who inspires a culture of creativity, consistency, and culinary pride.
• Energised by developing talent and creating a kitchen team that thrives on excellence, efficiency, and shared success.
• Committed to delivering exceptional food experiences while upholding company standards and exceeding client expectations.
• Highly organised with strong kitchen management skills - from service flow to stock control and everything in between.
• A true chef at heart - passionate about seasonal, sustainable ingredients and creating dishes that speak to the senses and tell a story.
• Confident balancing flavour and finance - skilled in food costing, supplier relationships, and smart kitchen economics.
• Calm, focused, and fast on your feet - you thrive in a busy service and never compromise on quality under pressure.

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/0606/N53801/52721671/R/BU #14Forty

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!