Head Chef – UK Hydrographic Office, Taunton

£35,000 per annum | 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday

We are currently recruiting an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead the catering operation at the UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton.

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a busy daytime foodservice operation, delivering high-quality breakfast and lunch services to up to 200 customers per day. With a strong focus on fresh food, customer satisfaction and operational excellence, this role is perfect for a Head Chef who enjoys leading from the front and developing a positive team culture.

Working Hours:
7:00am – 3:30pm, Monday to Friday, with some flexibility required to meet business needs.

The Role

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for the overall management of the kitchen, ensuring food is prepared, cooked and presented to the highest standards while maintaining full compliance with food safety and health & safety regulations.

Reporting to the Service Delivery Manager, you will lead a small kitchen team and work closely with front-of-house colleagues to deliver an excellent dining experience for customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the kitchen, ensuring smooth and efficient service
• Deliver high-quality breakfast and lunch offerings for up to 200 customers per day
• Manage and develop a team of chefs and catering assistants, creating a positive and productive working environment
• Plan, prepare and present food to agreed company and client standards
• Manage stock ordering, stock control and supplier relationships
• Monitor food costs, labour costs and food waste to achieve budget targets
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, HACCP and health & safety requirements
• Maintain a clean, organised and audit-ready kitchen environment
• Support menu development and seasonal food offerings where appropriate
• Build positive relationships with the client and act as a professional ambassador for the business on site

What We're Looking For

• City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2, NVQ Level 2/3 Professional Cookery or equivalent qualification
• Previous experience as a Head Chef or experienced Sous Chef ready to step into a leadership role
• Experience managing catering operations within contract catering, business & industry or similar environments
• Strong people management and leadership skills
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities
• Financial awareness with experience managing food costs and budgets
• Knowledge of food safety legislation and health & safety best practice
• Passion for delivering high-quality food and exceptional customer service
• Adaptable, proactive and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

Why Apply?

• £35,000 per annum
• Monday to Friday working pattern
• Predominantly daytime hours with excellent work-life balance
• Opportunity to lead your own kitchen within a prestigious client location
• Supportive management team and development opportunities
• A role where you can make a real impact on food quality, customer experience and team performance

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Free meals
• Onsite free car parking
• Subsidised gym membership
• Discounted Event tickets
• Electric vehicle charging points
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.

Job Reference: com/1307/44938001/52820074/SU #Defence

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!