Head Chef

Job role: Head Chef

Location: Central London

Salary: £46,000

Shift Pattern: Monday-Friday

Houston & Hawkes are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and experienced Head Chef to lead our fantastic catering team, who produce outstanding food using the finest and freshest ingredients.

This is a great opportunity for a Head Chef to make a name for themselves within the contract catering industry. We'll give you a place to grow and a career to be proud of.

Head Chef Duties:

Overseeing the kitchen team, managing and working closely with other chefs of all levels to ensure all processes in the kitchen run smoothly

Lead the team to use best practice Food Production techniques using the Houston & Hawkes systems and brand standards

Setting up the kitchen, preparing the team for service, and ensuring all ingredients are fresh and in date

Preparing ingredients, designing seasonal menu items, controlling and directing the food preparation process

Approving and polishing dishes before they reach the customer

Constantly innovating with pop ups and street food concepts

Focusing on all customers including guests, staff and visitors & meeting dietary and allergen requirements whilst ensuring quality of food and service

Accountable for stock flow and rotation of product within the unit

Responsible for all aspects of food safety, Health & Safety and COSHH

Ensuring that team members are available for their required shifts and that there are enough staff to cover busy periods

Head Chef Requirements:

Proven experience in managing and leading a kitchen team

A genuine passion for food

Industry acumen and knowledge of external catering developments & innovations

Honesty, transparency and consistency, someone who can gain and hold the respect of other

Personal innovation and passion

Demonstrative customer focus and service skills

Experience of managing an overall budget

Ownership and accountability of the role and that of their team

Computer literate

Ability to work efficiently and competently under pressure

Excellent time management and organisational skills

High level of self-motivation and not constrained by conventional time keeping

706/2 or NVQ chef qualifications, or equivalent

Strong ability to increase individual effectiveness through leadership, motivation, communication, coaching and training

Head Chef Additional Benefits:

Contributary pension scheme

Free access to the company Employee Assistant Programme

Life assurance at two times salary

Company events including all company Christmas party

Recognition schemes and people awards

Family-friendly support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and adoption leave

Day off on your birthday

Referral bonuses

Training and development opportunities

Who We Are:

Houston & Hawkes is a young and dynamic independent caterer based in the South East. We are proud to be an award-winning company, ranked among the top 30 companies to work for in the hospitality industry, and the first certified B Corp catering company. We believe in creating memorable experiences for our customers through our vibrant, creative, and sustainable food offerings. We operate coffee bars, staff restaurants, and delis, tailored to our clients' hospitality and event needs. Committed to social responsibility, passionate about Great British produce and dedicated to our talented teams.

Join Houston & Hawkes and be part of a team that values excellence, creativity, and professional growth.