Head Events Chef Job

Head Chef - Events Premium Catering Company

Position: Full-Time Senior Kitchen Role
Salary: £55k - £60k + Benefits

We're looking for a talented and experienced Head Chef to lead a fast-paced, high-performing production team for one of London's 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. You'll champion British heritage cuisine, implement efficient systems, and play a key leadership role in ensuring quality, consistency, and innovation across the kitchen.

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 company's 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