Head Chef

Job Introduction

Job Description

• Job Title: Head Chef
• Location: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
• £38,000 per year
• 23 days Holidays
• 40 hours, 5 over 7 

Job Introduction 

The world-famous Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh have a fantastic permanent opportunity for a Head Chef to join a unique sanctuary where truly magical events flourish. Set in 70 acres of abundant gardens, it commands panoramic views of the city skyline including Edinburgh Castle. Just a mile north of the city centre, it's a treasure trove of natural wonders dating back more than 350 years. 

We are looking for an experienced Head Chef who has experience of both a retail café environment as well as plated service to support the refinement and development of spaces at the Royal Botanic Garden. The primary responsibilities of the Head Chef are to support the Executive Chef with the day to day operation of the John Hope Gateway Café, Arboretum Suite, Mobile Units and Events food delivery, ensuring that compliance standards are met as well as the creation and innovation of the menus across the site.

What You'll Do:

• Identify growth opportunities through innovation, new initiatives, and collaboration with the executive head chef and operations manager on seasonal and exhibition-based offerings.
• Ensure contract performance meets SLAs, delivering cost-effective services, and driving revenue growth by selling new service lines in partnership with the Head of Department.
• Manage P&L performance, improve training plans for casual staff, and oversee the development and expansion of the events department, including ticketed events and special offerings.
• Plan and manage food offers for key events, review budgets, and implement strategies to maximise profitability, sales, and service delivery efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and company regulations, while overseeing audits, training plans, and stock management to maintain high operational standards.
• Lead and develop kitchen teams, providing coaching, performance reviews, and recruitment, while fostering strong client relationships for long-term partnerships.
• Promote sustainability, health and well-being, and innovation in culinary performance, while enhancing the company’s reputation and adhering to recruitment and service excellence standards.

What You Bring:

Essential

• Previous experience at Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef
• Ability to work 5 over 7 with flexibility for evening’s to support with events
• Menu development, planning, rotations incorporating seasonality
• Ability to plan and cost a menu accurately
• Excellent culinary skills with a flair for innovation and creativity
• Valid intermediate food hygiene certificate
• Strong leadership skills
• Intermediate Food Hygiene

Desirable

• IOSH 
• Use of budgeting and menu planning tools
• Advanced Food Hygiene

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
• A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment 
• Competitive compensation 
• Full training and full protective uniform supplied.

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today! Career progression for the caring profession.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.

About Sodexo 

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. 

We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.

Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.