zoo operations jobs

Head Chef
Location: Hatfield House

Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum + paid overtime
Contract: Full-Time 40-hour contract, Permanent, 5 out of 7 days with occasional evenings for events

Are you an experienced Head Chef who is looking for a new challenge, and wanting to work in an environment that offers variety? Are you keen to utilise your current experience at a historic visitor attraction that allows you to be a culinary creative? We’re looking for a Head Chef to lead and manage the culinary operation at Hatfield House, with a strong focus on delivering a high-quality food offer for a diverse visitor audience.

About the Role:

As Head Chef at Hatfield House, you will be joining this renowned historic visitor attraction to lead and develop the on-site culinary offering. This role is responsible for the food provision across a multi-outlet catering operation, based within the Coach House Kitchen Restaurant, Riding School Events, and Old Palace Events.

The catering operation includes a combination of visitor dining and large-scale events, requiring a Head Chef with strong experience in high-volume, high-quality food delivery. You will oversee kitchen teams across all areas, ensuring consistent standards, efficient operations, and full compliance with food safety requirements, while maintaining a strong commercial focus.

Success in this role will be reflected in positive visitor feedback, well-run kitchens, and effective collaboration with the client. The Head Chef will play an important role in ensuring the catering offer enhances the overall visitor experience and supports the continued success of Hatfield House.

What We Offer:

• 20 days holiday + bank holidays
• Free staff parking
• Free staff meals whilst working on site
• Free access to Hatfield House and discounted events
• Compass reward scheme
• A supportive, values-driven culture within cohesive teams
• Opportunities for growth and development within a national business
• A chance to make a meaningful impact in a continuously growing sector

Key Responsibilities:

• Menu Development & Innovation – Create and adapt menus that appeal to a broad visitor base, including family-friendly options, dietary requirements, and seasonal specials.
• Operational Excellence – Oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring compliance with food safety legislation, company policies, and contractual obligations.
• Leadership & Team Development – Recruit, train, and inspire a motivated kitchen team, fostering a positive and professional working culture.
• Cost Control & Profitability – Manage budgets, control wastage, and achieve GP targets without compromising quality.
• Collaboration – Work closely with front-of-house teams, site management, and the client to deliver a consistent and memorable food experience.
• Event Catering – Plan and deliver high-quality catering for large-scale events across the venue, ensuring operational efficiency and visitor satisfaction.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Head Chef in high-volume, high-quality environments, including both restaurant and events catering.
• Experience within visitor attractions and contract catering is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to lead by example.
• Excellent organisational skills, especially during peak periods.
• Sound knowledge of food trends, allergens, and dietary requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve financial targets while maintaining high quality.
• Good IT and Microsoft Office skills.
• Passionate about food and hospitality with a strong customer focus.
• Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Creative, commercially aware, and results driven.
• Committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing.

About Us:

Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitality provider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high-quality dining in London and New York.

Within our venues team, we provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. Within these amazing venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants, as well as delivering private events ranging from small meetings to large-scale ground events of up to 1000 people. You can find a full list of our venues on our website.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of teams plus a commitment to putting our people first. Restaurant Associates is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a business, we are committed to sustainability led practices and are proud to have achieved 3 stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good Programme.

Job Reference: com/2212/70491001/52782547/SU #RA Venues