Development Chef jobs in Kew Gardens Station

Executive Chef – High-End Contract Catering (Hospitality & Staff Dining)

Up to £64,000 + Overtime

We are seeking an exceptional Executive Chef to lead a dynamic, high-volume operation spanning both staff dining and premium hospitality. Following a significant uplift in production earlier this year, the kitchen continues to evolve with increased output, a growing team, and an expanding hospitality offer.

You will oversee a large and varied culinary operation, managing both staff dining and hospitality delivery. You will act as the key culinary lead and point of contact, working closely with other departments on a day-to-day basis to ensure seamless execution across the operation.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading a split operation between staff dining and hospitality
• Acting as culinary lead for client-facing hospitality delivery
• Supporting and collaborating with senior hospitality leadership on site
• Delivering monthly culinary presentations showcasing future concepts, menus, and innovation
• Driving consistent quality and efficiency across high-volume production
• Managing a large and developing team (currently 15 chefs following recent expansion)
• Working in a highly reactive environment where adaptability and solution-focused thinking are essential
• Turning challenging or fast-moving client requests into practical, deliverable solutions

What you’ll need to succeed:

• Executive Chef-level experience in a comparable environment
• Strong background in contract catering operations
• Experience in banqueting or premium hospitality delivery
• A highly innovative approach to food, menus, and service development
• A calm, solution-led mindset with the ability to say “yes” wherever possible
• A collaborative, ego-free leadership style
• Strong adaptability with the ability to pivot quickly in a changing environment
• Confidence in presenting ideas and culinary direction to clients and stakeholders

This is a high-impact role for a chef who thrives in complexity, enjoys variety across hospitality and volume dining, and can lead both innovation and operational excellence in equal measure.

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:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Job Reference: com/2904/99570001/52744160/SU #RA Group

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!