Relief Head Chef

What you'll be doing:

Relief Head Chef – £50,000–£52,000 PA
5 days out of 7 (including evenings and weekends as required)
Travel beyond London and surrounding area 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.