Head Chef

Aramark NV; Hatfield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A food services company in Hatfield is seeking a motivated Head Chef to lead the culinary team at the University of Hertfordshire. You will oversee food service operations, ensuring quality and safety while managing a busy kitchen. The ideal candidate should possess strong leadership skills, creativity in menu design, and a comprehensive understanding of kitchen management. A full-time and permanent position offering great benefits including generous leave and employee support.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Defined contribution pension scheme

Life assurance

Access to discounts and health support

Opportunities to attend culinary events

Qualifications

• Experience operating as a Head Chef responsible for food production and labour management.
• An innovative approach to menu design with strong attention to detail.
• Previous experience in managing a catering team.

Responsibilities

• Engage, mentor, and lead culinary professionals.
• Create innovative culinary solutions while maintaining financial efficiency.
• Ensure consistent food quality by training teams.
• Promote safety awareness in kitchen operations.
• Build strong relationships with clients and share culinary trends.
• Respond to customer feedback to improve service quality.
• Manage catering finances, sales, and gross profit.

Skills

Experience managing a large kitchen brigade

Innovative approach to menu design

Strong interpersonal skills

Commercial acumen

Organizational and problem-solving abilities

Job description

Aramark UK have an incredible opportunity for a highly motivated and commercially astute Head Chef to join the team at the University of Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB.

Reporting directly to the Executive Head Chef, the Head Chef will be responsible of overseeing the planning, coordination, and delivery of food service and operations on site. This role requires an experienced chef and people leader who will champion a culture focused on quality, team development and health and safety in all that you do.

This is a full time and permanent position which will involve weekdays and weekends.

What's in it for you:

• Generous annual leave that increases in line with service, with the opportunity to buy extra
• Defined contribution pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Benefits app: access to 100s of discounts, online GP appointments, mental health support and our Employee Assistance Program
• FOOD! Opportunities to attend in-house events and try the culinary genius of our teams (we are a food business after all!)

Job Responsibilities

• Effectively engage, mentor, and lead culinary professionals, fostering growth and excellence in kitchen operations
• Create innovative culinary solutions while maintaining financial efficiency and cost control
• Ensure consistent food quality and presentation by training teams in standard production techniques
• Promote safety awareness and recognise team achievements through ongoing training and rewards
• Build strong relationships with clients and customers, sharing culinary trends and maintaining open communication
• Actively seek and respond to customer feedback to continuously improve service qualityEmpower staff to deliver outstanding service and address concerns promptly with corrective actions
• Take full ownership of catering finances, driving sales, managing gross profit, labour, and overheads

You’ll be set up for success if you have:

• Experience operating as a Head Chef managing a large, busy kitchen brigade with responsibility for food production and labour management
• An innovative approach to menu design with strong attention to detail
• Previous experience in managing a catering team
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Commercial acumen, strong organisational and problem-solving abilities

If you are applying for this role and you already work for Aramark, you must notify your line manager before submitting your application.

At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive. As a proud Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey.

We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any accommodations or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team – [e-mail]

Join us in fostering a workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential.

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.