Head Chef – Glenart Castle (ESS, Compass Group UK & Ireland)
Glenhart Castle
£34827 per annum
5 days over 7
Small, friendly kitchen team of 5
About the Role
ESS, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, is looking for a talented and passionate Head Chef to lead our small and friendly team at Glenhart Castle.
In this role, you’ll be responsible for delivering a wide variety of seasonal and private functions — from relaxed buffet-style dining to elegant silver service banquets — all while creating exceptional experiences for our guests in a welcoming, customer-facing environment.
Key Responsibilities
As Head Chef with ESS, you will:
1. Lead and motivate a team of 5, creating a supportive and collaborative kitchen environment
2. Prepare and present a range of dishes to consistently high standards
3. Deliver food for seasonal events, private functions, and banquets, from buffets to silver service
4. Work directly with customers to ensure their dining experience exceeds expectations
5. Oversee ordering, stock control, and food waste management
6. Maintain the highest standards of food hygiene, health, and safety compliance
7. Manage kitchen schedules and ensure smooth day-to-day operations
About You
Our ideal Head Chef will:
8. Hold relevant professional catering qualifications (, NVQ or City & Guilds)
9. Have proven experience leading a small kitchen team in a similar environment
10. Be confident delivering both buffet and silver service dining
11. Thrive in a customer-facing role, with excellent communication skills
12. Be creative, organised, and passionate about seasonal, high-quality food
13. Demonstrate strong leadership and a hands-on approach
We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
14. Contributory pension scheme
15. Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
16. Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
17. Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, and many more
18. Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
19. Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
20. Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
21. Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
22. You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
About Us
Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.
Job Reference: com/1812/94338001/52781860/SU #Defence
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!