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About the Role
The Head Chef is the operational heartbeat of the Rathbone kitchen, responsible for bringing the culinary vision to life by leading the kitchen brigade, upholding exceptional food safety and quality standards, and driving culinary excellence. This hands-on leadership role requires inspiring a talented team, elevating every service, and setting the standard for exceptional food and hospitality.
Responsibilities
- Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring seamless execution across all outlets and event spaces.
- Translate seasonal menu concepts into practical, consistent, and visually stunning daily offerings.
- Take direct ownership of the "pass," ensuring food presentation, temperature, and timing meet exacting standards.
- Manage the execution of Private Event Orders, ensuring station prep, workflows, and communication are flawless for high-volume, bespoke client events.
- Dynamically adjust staffing levels, prep schedules, and workflows based on daily business volumes and upcoming event needs.
- Maintain the kitchen in a continuous "tour-ready" state, enforcing rigorous food safety, sanitation, and hygiene standards (HACCP) at all times.
- Direct purchasing, receiving, and inventory control to minimize waste and ensure peak operational readiness.
- Monitor food costs, labor hours, and operating expenses daily, implementing corrective actions to stay within disciplined financial targets.
- Ensure all kitchen equipment is maintained, serviced, and utilized safely by the team.
- Act as a hands-on, player-coach who fosters a supportive, respectful, and high-energy kitchen environment.
- Conduct effective pre-shift meetings to brief the team on daily business, client specifications, and production goals.
- Mentor and develop junior chefs and the wider culinary team, focusing on skill development, consistency, and standard operating procedures.
- Handle performance management and staffing issues professionally and promptly, working closely with the Executive Chef to cultivate a "1% better every day" culture.
Requirements
- Minimum 5–8+ years of progressive culinary and kitchen management experience in high-volume, premier venues, including leading teams ranging from small kitchen crews up to 20+ staff members.
- High operational adaptability and a client-first mindset to accommodate tailored menus and dynamic event needs.
- Proven track record leading fine-dining, farm-driven, or high-volume complex foodservice operations.
- Extensive experience managing large-scale private events, banquets, and customised corporate hospitality programmes.
- Deep understanding of UK Food Safety regulations, HACCP guidelines, Food Hygiene Standards, labour management, profit-and-loss targets, and inventory systems.
- In-depth knowledge of the London food scene, what is trending and what can be used in the property.
- Proficient with software tools including Google Suite, Slack, and Zoom.
- A visionary leader who inspires excellence, promotes a culture of continuous learning, and maintains composure in high-pressure flagship environments.
- Capability to stand, sit, or walk for extended periods.
- Flexibility to work long or irregular hours, including early mornings, late nights, and weekends based on operational volume and client events.
- Candidate must currently reside in the UK.
- Candidate must be able to work in the UK without sponsorship.
Skills
- Culinary Arts
- NVQ/City & Guilds qualifications
- Professional cookery qualification
- Culinary leadership
- Food safety
- Sanitation
- Hygiene standards
- HACCP
- Purchasing
- Receiving
- Inventory control
- Cost control
- Labor management
- Financial management
- Equipment maintenance
- Team leadership
- Performance management
- Google Suite
- Slack
- Zoom
Location
- London
Work Type
- Full-time
- Onsite
Experience Level
- 5-8+ years
Education Level
- Degree or diploma in Culinary Arts (or equivalent NVQ/City & Guilds qualifications), or recognised professional cookery qualification backed by hands-on culinary leadership.
Benefits
- Private medical insurance
- Subsidised fitness and eye care
- Well-being and personal support programs
- 25 days annual leave
- Bank holidays
- Company sick pay
- Bonus scheme
- Interest-free loans for rail travel or further education
- Cycle to Work program
- Career development opportunities
- Programs to celebrate achievements
- Volunteer opportunities
- Donation opportunities
About the Company
- Convene Hospitality Group (CHG) operates a global portfolio of lifestyle brands focused on creating places and experiences that bring people together.
- The company designs, develops, and operates hospitality-driven destinations to host gatherings of all kinds, ranging from small corporate meetings to immersive brand activations and beyond.
- We love bringing people together in person, and that passion for great experiences extends to our employees as well.
- Located in the heart of London’s iconic West End, Convene Rathbone is set to open in Spring 2027 as one of the city’s most anticipated new Meetings & Events destinations.
- The 54,000-square-foot venue at One Rathbone Square will combine Convene’s signature hospitality with industry-leading production capabilities to create a new standard for experiential events.
- Purpose-built for immersive experiences, the venue will support everything from high-profile conferences and brand showcases to luxury receptions and bespoke gatherings, bringing together advanced production technology with exceptional event delivery and meaningful human connection.
- As a member of our opening leadership team, you’ll play a key role in shaping the culture, guest experience, and long-term success of one of London’s most exciting new event venues.
- At Convene Hospitality Group, we believe great teams are built by bringing together people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
- Our values of GRIT (Genuine, Relentless, Integrity, and Teamwork) shape how we show up for each other every day.
- We want everyone here to feel welcome, supported, and free to be themselves.
- If you’re excited to grow, learn, and make an impact, we’d love to have you on the team.
Equal Opportunity
- Convene Hospitality Group is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
- We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.