40 hours per week, 5 out of 7 days, £40,000 - £45,000
We have an exciting opportunity to become our new Head Chef at one of our conference venues in Oxford, OX1
Do you love creating stunning restaurant food and are looking for work hours that give you a work-life balance like no other sector in the hospitality industry?
Wilson Vale is an established, quality-led contract caterer. We work with amazing clients across the UK who place huge value on great food as a key part of their culture and community. We work in office restaurants, independent schools and at conference venues with the same high-end ethos throughout.
Our culture unites us. We stand for craft, quality, creative freedom, forward thinking and integrity. We never compromise on our commitment to fresh, seasonal produce and the fantastic people that make it all happen!
The Head Chef for Wilson Vale is responsible for helping overseeing the culinary operations within a catering facility that provides food services to our clients, wither in a corporate offices, educational institutions, healthcare facilities. This role combines culinary expertise with managerial skills to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality meals to our clients while adhering to specific contractual agreements, food safety and health & safety policies.
Key Responsibilities
Food & Service
1. Deliver imaginative, customer-focused menus using fresh ingredients
2. Cook “little and often” to maintain quality during service
3. Manage menu planning, presentation, promotions, and special events
4. Maintain high front-of-house standards and strong client relationships
5. Communicate all menu changes clearly and update menus accordingly
People & Training
6. Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing catering team
7. Support recruitment, training, and multi-skilling of staff
8. Promote a positive, flexible, and service-driven culture
Safety & Compliance
9. Ensure full compliance with food safety, health & safety, allergen, and company policies
10. Complete all required records, reports, and staff meetings
11. Ensure correct use of PPE and company uniform standards
Financial Control
12. Manage food costs, stock control, and waste reduction
13. Support budgeting, stock takes, and company administration systems
Sustainability (ESG)
14. Promote sustainable menu choices and responsible resource use
15. Actively reduce waste and maximise use of surplus food
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
16. LOVE food, and love working in a team.
17. Positive attitude
18. Have good customer service skills and strong communication skills.
19. Be able to work in a high-pressured environment.
20. Strong premium hospitality experience in another venue
21. Local knowledge and experience working in the area
22. A passion for exceptional service is essential
23. Strong understanding of service styles, food trends
24. Innovation and creativity
25. A passion for training and development
26. Exceptional presentation skills
27. Articulate and very well organised
28. Proactive and reliable
OUR CULTURE:
29. Craft at our core – we pride ourselves on our craft-skilled chefs who create wonderful fresh food from scratch.
30. t’s all about the food – the menu is the most important document our chefs write every week.
31. Quality, seasonal ingredients – 300+ British suppliers and our chefs can source locally.
32. Freedom to create – our teams love to cook up exciting food themes and pop-ups to keep the food fun.
33. Support like no other – our business was founded by family and we have stayed true to those same family values of nurturing development, protecting our values and building trust and loyalty.
34. Making food that not only tastes great but is good for the planet. We have always had a strong environmental ethos and are dedicated to our social and environmental commitments.
35. We believe in tailored training and opportunities to build your career with us.
WILSON VALE PERKS:
36. Our working hours are some of the best you'll find in catering - we are strong believers in work-life balance
37. Our working environment is fun and inspiring, with excellent career development opportunities
38. Craft Works – Free craft-focused career development training programme
39. Paid training bespoke to you
40. Access to our Employee Assistance Programme- your wellbeing is very important to us
41. Online employee benefits scheme - monetary savings on everyday items!
42. Your Birthday off every year after 1 years’ service.
43. Enhanced Maternity Pay