Head Chef - Restaurant & Events

Head Chef | Restaurant & Events

City of London | Contract Catering

£50,000 per annum

45 hours per week | 5 days out of 7

We're looking for an experienced and inspiring Head Chef to lead the food operation at a prestigious corporate venue in the City of London. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading contract caterer, overseeing a high-quality in-house restaurant that operates Monday to Friday, alongside a busy events calendar that is predominantly weekday-based, with occasional weekend functions.

Leading a team of five chefs, you'll be responsible for delivering exceptional food across both restaurant service and hospitality events, ensuring consistently high standards, creativity, and a first-class dining experience.

This role would suit a hands-on Head Chef who enjoys a varied operation, thrives in a professional corporate environment, and is passionate about producing fresh, seasonal food while developing and motivating a small team.

The Role

As Head Chef, you'll take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, leading your team to deliver outstanding food across the restaurant and event spaces. You'll work closely with the wider management team to create menus, manage costs, and ensure smooth and efficient operations.

You'll also take the lead in:

• Managing, mentoring, and developing a brigade of five chefs
• Creating fresh, seasonal menus for both restaurant and hospitality services
• Delivering high-quality food for a variety of events and functions
• Managing food costs, GP targets, stock control, and supplier relationships
• Maintaining the highest standards of food safety, allergens, and hygiene
• Ensuring a positive, professional, and motivated kitchen culture
• Driving creativity and innovation while maintaining consistency

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef ready to step up within contract catering, hotels, restaurants, or quality-led hospitality operations
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams
• A passion for fresh food and delivering high standards consistently
• Experience across both restaurant service and events/hospitality catering
• Good financial awareness, including food cost and stock management
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to perform in a busy environment
• A solid understanding of food safety, allergens, and compliance

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-respected contract caterer offering a great work-life balance, a high-quality food operation, and the chance to lead your own kitchen within a professional corporate setting.

Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.