Head Chef
Be part of something greater.
- Job reference: SDX/TP/2248949/158701
- Location: Crowthorne
- Job type: Full Time - 40 hours per week
- Salary: £55,000 per annum + Sodexo Benefits
- Closing date: 03 July 2026
About the role
Lead Culinary Excellence as Head Chef at Wellington College
Location: Wellington College, Duke's Ride, Crowthorne, Berkshire, RG45 7PU
Days/Shift Pattern: 5 out of 7 days, including evenings and weekends as required
Total Hours Per Week: 40 Hours
Salary: Competitive, with excellent benefits
At Sodexo, we believe in delivering exceptional dining experiences, fostering meaningful relationships, and empowering our teams to thrive. We are seeking a passionate and inspirational Head Chef to lead our Core Feeding operation at the prestigious Wellington College.
About the Opportunity
At Sodexo, we believe in delivering exceptional dining experiences, fostering meaningful relationships, and empowering our teams to thrive.
We are seeking a confident, resilient, and inspirational Head Chef to lead our flagship core feeding operation at Wellington College, one of the UK’s most prestigious independent schools.
This is a career-defining leadership role within a high-volume, high-profile environment, responsible for shaping the daily dining experience of students, teaching staff, and the wider College community.
Working closely with the Executive Head Chef, you will act as a key operational leader and “helping hand” across a busy and fast-evolving site—driving standards, innovation, and team performance.
About Wellington College
Set within approximately 400 acres of stunning Berkshire countryside, Wellington College is one of the UK’s leading independent schools, renowned for academic excellence, sporting achievement, and a rich co-curricular programme.
The College offers a unique environment where tradition meets modern excellence. From world-class sporting facilities to outstanding academic and creative provision, Wellington provides space to breathe, think, and perform at the highest level.
School life is vibrant and distinctive, with traditions such as chapel services and Combined Cadet Force (CCF) parades featuring drums and marching routines that reflect the rhythm and heritage of the College.
As Head Chef, you will be part of this exceptional community—helping to fuel academic performance, elite sport, and creative excellence across the entire school.
The Operation
This is a large-scale, high-performing catering operation delivering:
- Approximately 600 breakfasts daily
- Approximately 1,900 lunches daily
- Approximately 800 evening meals daily
You will hold full responsibility for student and staff dining across the College, ensuring food is nutritious, innovative, beautifully presented, and delivered consistently at scale.
Nutrition is a critical part of performance at Wellington College. From elite athletes in rugby, cricket, and football, to students excelling in music, drama, and the arts, you will understand how dietary needs vary and ensure the food offer supports physical performance, focus, and wellbeing.
What You'll be Doing
You will lead a large and structured kitchen brigade with four Shift Leaders covering:
- Pastry Production
- Breakfast Service
- Lunch Service
- Evening Dining Operations
These teams are supported by approximately 15+ culinary staff, including Chef de Parties and kitchen assistants.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading, developing, and inspiring a high-performing kitchen brigade
- Driving operational excellence across all meal services
- Delegating responsibility effectively across Shift Leaders and the wider team
- Workforce planning, rota creation, and daily operational coordination
- Ordering, stock control, supplier management, and cost control
- Maintaining strong budgetary performance while delivering high-quality food at scale
- Ensuring planned maintenance, equipment standards, and kitchen readiness
- Leading recruitment, training, development, and performance management
- Embedding strong food safety, health & safety, and compliance standards
- Acting as a visible, approachable leader across dining halls and service areas
- Building strong relationships with students, Housemasters, teaching staff, and senior stakeholders
- Engaging daily in the dining environment to gather feedback and enhance the student experience
- Driving innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement across the operation
What We're Looking For
We are looking for a strong, confident, innovative and resilient culinary leader who thrives in high-volume, high-expectation environments, and who can bring genuine professional fine dining and prestigious hospitality experience into a large-scale operation.
The ideal candidate will have a background in high volume quality catering, alongside the ability to translate that standard of excellence into a large, fast-paced school setting.
You will bring:
- Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a large-scale catering environment
- A strong fine dining or premium hospitality background, ideally within reputable, high-standard establishments
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to challenge, influence, and inspire
- A creative, innovative approach to food, presentation, and service standards
- The confidence to challenge both peers and senior stakeholders, with strong people management skills where required
- A supportive team member who drives collective success and continuous improvement
- Proven ability to deliver consistent, high-quality food at scale
- Strong financial acumen including budgeting, food cost control, and labour management
- Experience managing rota systems, team structures, and operational delivery
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- A proactive, approachable leadership style with strong communication skills
- Passion for delivering elevated, restaurant-quality dining experiences within a premium institutional setting
- Strong IT, literacy, and numeracy skills
Qualifications
Essential:
- NVQ or City & Guilds Professional Cookery Level 2 or 3 (or equivalent)
- Level 3 Food Safety Certificate
- Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate
- Intermediate Managing Safely qualification
- Experience within independent schools or premium education catering environments
- Background in luxury hospitality, multi-outlet or high-end, large contract catering operations
- Passion for sustainability, ethical sourcing, and modern food culture
- Experience contributing to culinary development, innovation projects, or menu-led transformation programmes
Why Join Sodexo at Wellington College
This is more than a Head Chef role—it is an opportunity to lead culinary excellence within one of the UK’s most prestigious independent schools.
You will benefit from:
- Competitive salary and excellent benefits package
- Career progression within Sodexo’s premium education portfolio
- Industry-leading training and development opportunities
- A flagship working environment with a high-performing team culture
- The ability to directly impact the daily experience of over 2,000 students and staff
- A supportive and forward-thinking organisation
- Access to Crowthorne train station
- Free onsite parking
- Meals on duty
Additional Benefits
- 24/7 access to mental health and wellbeing support platform
- Employee Assistance Programme (legal, financial, personal support)
- 24/7 virtual GP access
- Sodexo Discounts Scheme for you and your family
- Mercer Aspire Pension Plan
- Learning and development opportunities
- Bike to Work Scheme
- Volunteering opportunities in local communities
Ready to Be Part of Something Greater?
If you're looking for an opportunity where you can bring your passion, skills, and ambition to a company that truly values you, then this is it. Apply today and take the next step in your Sodexo journey.
Friendly customers. Vibrant communities. Exciting careers.
Please note: Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.
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KEY BENEFITS
-
Advice and guidance
Get help with legal, financial, personal or work issues whenever you need it. -
Pension Plan
Save effectively for your future when you join the Sodexo Pension Plan. -
Wellbeing support
Unlimited access to online support for your mental health, 24/7. -
Generous leave
For holidays, care needs or major life events, we’ll help you rest and recharge. -
Discounts and savings
Enjoy great deals from leading retailers and use our Bike to Work scheme -
Virtual GP
24-hour access to video or phone consultations for you and your family.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At our company, we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Roles at Sodexo are designed to empower individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an environment that values equity and supports the growth of all employees, ensuring that everyone can contribute to and benefit from our collective success.
Social Impact
Ever since we started, we’ve had a clear purpose – to do some good in our communities through helping people. Today, that purpose is still a huge part of who we are. And every one of our colleagues helps that happen.
We’re committed to volunteering our time, resources, skills and knowledge – more than 50% of colleagues contribute to thousands of volunteer hours every year. And our Charitable Foundation has now donated over £9 million to charities and good causes across the country.
Crowthorne, United Kingdom, RG45 7PU
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