Overview

Salary: £17.3 per hour

Shift hours: Full Time

Head Chef – Bassingbourn Barracks

Pay: £17.30 per hour
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Core Shift: 07:00 – 15:30
Flexibility: Required to support functions and special events

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and driven Head Chef to lead catering operations at RAF Bassingbourn. This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing multiple kitchens, managing a skilled team, and maintaining high standards across all services.

You will oversee five kitchens, each supported by a Sous Chef, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and quality across the operation. A key focus of the role is developing apprentices and supporting team progression.

Service Times

  • Breakfast: 06:30 – 08:00

  • Lunch: 12:15 – 13:30

  • Evening Meal: 17:30 – 18:30

Team Structure

  • Leading a team of approximately 10 staff

  • Responsibility for 5 kitchens, each with a Sous Chef

  • Supporting training, mentoring, and development of apprentices

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and coordinate day-to-day catering operations across multiple kitchens

  • Deliver consistently high-quality food and service

  • Manage, support, and develop kitchen teams

  • Mentor apprentices and support workforce development

  • Maintain food safety, hygiene, and health & safety standards

  • Oversee ordering, stock control, and cost management

  • Support and deliver catering for functions and events as required

  • Maintain a positive and professional working environment

About You

  • Essential: Experience in a similar Head Chef or senior kitchen leadership role

  • Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams

  • Experience managing multiple kitchen operations

  • Strong organisational and operational skills

  • Passionate about food quality and service delivery

  • Reliable, proactive, and able to work under pressure

  • Flexible to support operational needs and functions

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

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/0402/96047001/52685958/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!

Reference: com/0402/96047001/52685958/SU

Location: South Cambridgeshire

Before you apply -
Register now and turn on alerts for jobs like this!

  • To apply for this position, receive job notifications and manage your applications, click "Register with Diversity Jobs Group".
  • To apply for this position without registering, click "Apply with Customer".

By registering you agree to our terms and conditions.

Apply with Customer

IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.