HEAD CHEF

Job role : Head Chef Location : Slough Salary : £44,000 per annum Shift Pattern : Monday-Friday, 7am-3:30pm Houston & Hawkes are looking for a talented, enthusiastic and experienced Head Chef to lead our fantastic catering team, who produce outstanding food using the finest and freshest ingredients at our contract in Slough. This is a great opportunity for a Head Chef to make a name for themselves within the contract catering industry. We’ll give you a place to grow and a career to be proud of. Head Chef Duties: Overseeing the kitchen team, managing and working closely with other chefs of all levels to ensure all processes in the kitchen run smoothly Lead the team to use best  food production techniques using the Houston & Hawkes systems and brand standards Setting up the kitchen, preparing the team for service, and ensuring all ingredients are fresh and in date Preparing ingredients, designing seasonal menu items, controlling and directing the food preparation process Approving and polishing dishes before they reach the customer Constantly innovating with pop ups and street food concepts Focusing on all customers including guests, staff and visitors & meeting dietary and allergen requirements whilst ensuring quality of food and service Accountable for stock flow and rotation of product within the unit Responsible for all aspects of food safety, Health & Safety and COSHH Ensuring that team members are available for their required shifts and that there are enough staff to cover busy periods Head Chef Requirements: Proven experience in managing and leading a kitchen team A genuine passion for food Industry acumen and knowledge of external catering developments & innovations Honesty, transparency and consistency, someone who can gain and hold the respect of other Personal innovation and passion Demonstrative customer focus and service skills Experience of managing an overall budget Ownership and accountability of the role and that of their team Computer literate Ability to work efficiently and competently under pressure Excellent time management and organisational skills High level of self-motivation and not constrained by conventional time keeping 706/2 or NVQ chef qualifications, or equivalent Strong ability to increase individual effectiveness through leadership, motivation, communication, coaching and training Head Chef Additional Benefits: Free meals at work Contributary pension scheme Free access to the company Employee Assistant Programme Life assurance at two times salary Company events including all company Christmas party Uniform provided 25 days holiday plus statutory bank holidays Recognition schemes and people awards Family-friendly support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and adoption leave Day off on your birthday Referral bonuses Training and development opportunities, including regular masterclasses with renowned chef Sally Abe Who We Are: Houston & Hawkes is a young and dynamic independent caterer based in the South East. We are proud to be an award-winning company, ranked among the top 30 companies to work for in the hospitality industry, and a certified B Corp company. We believe in creating memorable experiences for our customers through our vibrant, creative, and sustainable food offerings. We operate coffee bars, staff restaurants, and delis, tailored to our clients’ hospitality and event needs. Committed to social responsibility, passionate about Great British produce and dedicated to our talented teams. Join Houston & Hawkes and be part of a team that values excellence, creativity, and professional growth.