Head Events Chef Job

Full Time Head Chef Job, Events, Premium Catering Company

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.

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.

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 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

Position: Full-Time | Senior Kitchen Role

Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 plus Benefits