• Full time
• Monday-Friday - 08:00-16:00
• Competitive per annum plus our Sodexo employee benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development

Executive Chef

London, EC1A 4HT

At Sodexo, we’re passionate about our people.We know that our teams are the key to delivering exceptional service and creating meaningful experiences for our clients, customers, and employees.

We are looking for an exceptional Executive Chef to lead the culinary operation at a prestigious law firm in London.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and commercially minded chef who takes pride in delivering outstanding food, exceptional service and memorable dining experiences within a premium corporate environment.

You will take overall responsibility for the kitchen operation, setting the culinary direction, developing menus and leading a talented team to deliver consistently high standards across staff dining, hospitality, client entertaining and bespoke events.

The successful candidate will bring creativity, strong leadership and a genuine passion for food, with the ability to combine restaurant-quality standards with the pace and commercial demands of contract catering.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the overall kitchen operation, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation and service at all times.

• Develop innovative, seasonal and exciting menus that reflect the standards and expectations of a prestigious corporate client.

• Oversee all food production, preparation and presentation across staff dining, hospitality, fine dining and events.

• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen brigade, creating a positive, professional and high-performing team culture.

• Maintain exceptional standards of food hygiene, health and safety, allergen management and HACCP compliance.

• Manage food costs, labour budgets, stock control, purchasing and supplier relationships.

• Ensure food is consistently delivered to specification, within budget and to the highest quality.

• Work closely with the front-of-house and hospitality teams to deliver a seamless customer experience.

• Oversee VIP dining, client entertaining, boardroom lunches and high-profile hospitality events.

• Monitor customer feedback and continuously identify opportunities to improve menus, service and the overall food offering.

• Recruit, train, mentor and develop team members, supporting succession planning and talent development.

• Ensure the kitchen operates efficiently, with strong planning, organisation and operational controls.

What we're looking for:

We are looking for an established Executive Chef or an ambitious Head Chef ready to take the next step in their career.

You will ideally have:

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef, Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef within premium contract catering, corporate hospitality, luxury hotels or high-end restaurants.

• Experience leading and developing a kitchen team within a demanding, high-quality environment.

• A strong culinary background with a passion for fresh food, seasonal ingredients and creative menu development.

• Experience managing food costs, budgets, stock control and labour.

• A strong understanding of HACCP, food safety, allergen management and health and safety legislation.

• Excellent organisational, communication and leadership skills.

• The ability to remain calm, professional and hands-on during busy services and high-profile events.

• A commercial mindset, balancing creativity, quality and operational efficiency.

Why Sodexo?:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater.

Belong in a company and team that values you for you. 

Act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions.

Thrive in your own way.

We also offer a range of perks, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering wellbeing support
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or life's larger problems, including legal and financial advice, support with work or personal issues impacting your wellbeing
• Access to a 24hr virtual GP Service
• Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 across popular high street retailers (also open to friends and family)
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Pension Plan
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools
• Bike to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit
• Sodexo UK and Irelands enhanced benefits and leave policies

A little more about Sodexo:

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, SoTogether, Generations and Origins.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.

Ready to be part of something greater?

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications