Head Chef

New Yesterday

Head Chef Events | Premium Catering Company
Position: Full-Time | Senior Kitchen Role
Salary: £55k - £60k + Benefits
Were looking for a talented and experienced Head Chef to lead a fast-paced, high-performing production team for one of Londons premier events catering business. This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated culinary professional to oversee the delivery of world-class event cuisine while managing production, team development, and operational excellence.
About the Role
Reporting to the Culinary Director, you will be responsible for leading the brigade in delivering exceptional food for a wide range of events from intimate tastings to large-scale productions. Youll champion British heritage cuisine, implement efficient systems, and play a key leadership role in ensuring quality, consistency, and innovation across the kitchen.
Key Responsibilities
Kitchen Leadership & Team Culture
Oversee the events kitchen team to ensure exceptional food production for events and tastings
Lead daily briefings and weekly planning meetings with the core brigade
Uphold and represent the companys values in every aspect of kitchen operations
Foster a collaborative, client-focused, and motivated team environment
Menu & Culinary Development
Source high-quality ingredients, championing independent and emerging suppliers
Collaborate with sous chefs on new dish development and seasonal menu planning
Ensure all recipes are costed accurately, with detailed spec sheets and allergen documentation
Stay current with industry trends and British culinary traditions
Operational Oversight
Lead the logistics and production for all events, ensuring flawless delivery
Implement and maintain clear kitchen SOPs for consistency and efficiency
Manage food ordering, prep, delivery checks, and allergen compliance
Collaborate closely with Event Managers to ensure budgets and timelines are met
Health, Safety & Hygiene
Oversee HACCP compliance, risk assessments, and allergen tracking
Lead and improve daily and weekly cleaning protocols
Maintain standards in line with EHO guidelines and ensure an FSA 5-star hygiene rating
Team Development & Scheduling
Recruit, onboard, and train new team members at all levels
Manage rotas and workforce planning, ensuring adequate cover for all events
Conduct appraisals and support employee development and wellbeing
Build a strong pool of reliable freelance/temp chefs to support busy periods
Performance Indicators
Client satisfaction and event feedback
Delivery of target food gross profit
Team retention and morale
Hygiene compliance and EHO reports
Labour cost control and reporting accuracy
What We're Looking For
Proven experience in a senior events or high-end catering kitchen role
Strong leadership and team-building capabilities
In-depth understanding of seasonal British cuisine and current culinary trends
Ability to manage logistics and multi-event operations with precision
Excellent communication, organisation, and problem-solving skills

TPBN1_UKCT
Apply
Location:
South East London
Job Type:
PartTime

We found some similar jobs based on your search