Job Introduction
Head Chef – ESS (St George’s Barracks, North Luffenham)
Location: St George’s Barracks, North Luffenham
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (5 days over 7, mixture of early, mid, and late shifts)
Pay: £16.65 per hour
Additional Hours: Occasional overtime depending on business and operational needs.
About the Role
As Head Chef with ESS at St George’s Barracks, you’ll lead from the front in a well-established catering operation serving up to 50 service personnel each day. You will manage and motivate a dedicated team of 11, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality, nutritious meals across all daily services.
You’ll be responsible for menu planning, food preparation, and supporting special events, all while maintaining the highest standards of quality, hygiene, and presentation. This role requires a hands-on leader who can inspire the team and maintain smooth kitchen operations.
Meal Service Times (Monday–Sunday)
Breakfast: 07:00 – 08:00
Lunch: 12:00 – 13:30
Evening Meal: 17:00 – 18:30
Shift Pattern (5 days over 7)
A mixture of early, mid, and late shifts, including weekends as required:
Early: 06:00 – 14:00
Mid: 08:00 – 16:30
Late: 10:30 – 19:00
Key Responsibilities
Lead, support, and develop a team of 11 kitchen staff.
Prepare, cook, and present a variety of fresh, high-quality dishes to a consistently high standard.
Maintain excellent food hygiene, health, and safety practices at all times.
Manage stock levels, ordering, and cost control.
Ensure smooth day-to-day running of the kitchen, including rotas and service delivery.
Engage positively with service personnel to ensure exceptional dining experiences.
About You
You are an experienced culinary professional who leads by example and thrives in a structured, team-focused environment. You take pride in producing great food and managing the demands of a dynamic kitchen.
You will:
Have proven experience in a similar chef role (essential).
Hold relevant catering qualifications (desirable but not essential).
Demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
Be adaptable, creative, and committed to delivering high-quality, seasonal dishes.
Be flexible and proactive in supporting business and operational needs.
What We Offer
Competitive hourly rate of £16.65.
37.5 hours per week across 5 days.
Free meal provided on shift.
Uniform supplied.
Access to on-site facilities.
Opportunities for overtime during functions and events.
A supportive, professional working environment within a respected defence catering operation.
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/1411/95297001/52585079/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!