Relief Head Chef - £50,000-£52,000 PA
5 days out of 7 (including evenings and weekends as required)
Travel in the Hertfordshire/London area required as part of the role, travel to venues outside of this remit will be covered
RA Venues, part of the Compass Group, is seeking a talented and experienced Relief Head Chef to join our senior culinary team. This is a mobile role designed to uphold and elevate our food standards across the RA estate, stepping into leadership positions where needed and ensuring consistent culinary excellence.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead kitchen teams across a variety of venues, stepping in as Head Chef to support operations
  
• Deliver exceptional dishes across diverse cuisines, maintaining RA’s high standards
  
• Train and motivate kitchen teams to perform at their best
  
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards, GP management, and waste reduction
  
• Collaborate on seasonal menu innovation and concept development projects
  

What We’re Looking For:
Minimum Expectations:

• Proven experience in a Head Chef or senior kitchen leadership role
  
• Outstanding culinary skills across a variety of cuisines
  
• Strong leadership, team training, and people management experience
  
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, cost control, and kitchen operations
  
• Flexibility to travel and work across multiple locations
  
• NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery (or equivalent)
  

Desirable Qualities:

• Background in fine dining, events catering, and/or retail food operations
  
• Passion for sustainability in food sourcing and kitchen practices
  
• Experience in creative menu and concept development
  

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You Are:

• Positive, proactive, and solutions-focused
  
• Collaborative and adaptable - you enjoy a dynamic, ever-changing environment
  
• A passionate chef who leads by example and inspires others
  
• A proud ambassador of Compass Group and RA values
  

This is more than just a job — it’s an opportunity to be part of a culture that celebrates culinary excellence, innovation, and people-first leadership.