Executive Head Chef - Somerset

Executive Chef - Education
Somerset
JWR is working on a senior culinary appointment for an experienced Executive Chef to take the lead across a substantial, multi-faceted catering operation.
This is a role for someone who is comfortable operating at real scale. The successful candidate will oversee a large brigade, several food production areas and a diverse mix of daily catering, hospitality, functions and events.
The operation serves thousands of covers each day and requires a chef who can balance food quality, commercial control, team leadership and client expectations without losing sight of the detail.

The Package

• From £75,000 salary
• Permanent, full-time position, 40-hour working week
• Free meals while working
• Retail, leisure and restaurant discounts
• Enhanced family leave
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Workplace pension
• Ongoing training and development
• Company social events
• Excellent scope for future career progression

The Role
This is not simply a kitchen management role.
The Executive Chef will have responsibility for the overall culinary direction of the operation, ensuring consistency across multiple outlets while continuing to evolve standards, menus and team performance.
You will lead a team of around 25 kitchen professionals and take ownership of an operation producing approximately 4,000 meals per day, alongside a busy calendar of events, functions and premium hospitality.
The role will suit someone who enjoys being visible within the operation but is equally comfortable managing budgets, labour, standards and senior stakeholder relationships.

Requirements
We are particularly interested in speaking with chefs who have experience within larger, structured foodservice environments where quality and volume have to work hand in hand.
You are likely to have:

• Previous experience at Executive Chef, Head Chef or equivalent senior level
• Managed a large brigade across more than one kitchen or outlet
• Worked within a high-volume catering environment
• Strong experience of premium banqueting, contract catering, events or hospitality
• A proven ability to manage food cost, labour and departmental budgets
• Experience developing and retaining large kitchen teams
• Strong organisational and planning skills
• Confidence working closely with clients and senior operational stakeholders
• A genuine focus on fresh food, seasonality and menu development
• The ability to maintain standards during periods of high demand
• A strong understanding of food safety, compliance and kitchen legislation

Experience within contract catering, education, conference and events, hotels, large visitor attractions or similarly complex catering environments would be highly relevant.
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior chef who wants to lead a large, well-resourced operation with the freedom to make an impact across food, people and commercial performance.

For further details or a confidential conversation, apply through JWR.

Applicants must have the Right to Work in the UK. The successful candidate will also be subject to the appropriate background, reference and safeguarding checks required for the position.