Head Chef – Events Production
Location: London
Salary: £60,000 + paid overtime + benefits
We’re looking for an exceptional Head Chef – Events Production to lead a high‑performing kitchen brigade delivering outstanding food for premium events. This is a hands‑on leadership role at the heart of a fast‑paced, creative events business. You’ll take full ownership of food production and kitchen operations, ensuring every event is executed to the highest possible standard.
The Role
You’ll lead the production kitchen, driving excellence across all areas—from concept to delivery. Working closely with creative and events teams, you’ll bring menus to life while maintaining consistency, quality, and efficiency at scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Support and contribute to Rocket’s sustainability objectives, embedding responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and efficient kitchen practices into day‑to‑day operations, and engaging with relevant internal initiatives and forums where appropriate.
- Lead and inspire the events kitchen brigade to deliver exceptional food across all events and tastings.
- Support menu development, tastings, and client briefs, ensuring creativity and precision.
- Drive consistency through strong systems, processes, and SOPs.
- Manage food purchasing, supplier relationships, and product sourcing, and take ownership of kitchen financials including food GP and labour costs.
- Ensure seamless event logistics, prep planning, and execution.
- Maintain best‑in‑class food safety, HACCP, and compliance standards.
- Build, develop, and retain a high‑performing team (including freelance chefs).
- Collaborate across departments and support wider business objectives.
About You
- Proven experience as a Head Chef in events, high‑end catering, or production kitchens.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
- Deep understanding of British cuisine, with a passion for seasonal and artisan produce.
- Highly organised with excellent planning and operational skills.
- Commercially aware with experience managing budgets and cost control.
- Confident in client‑facing situations and tastings.
What Success Looks Like
- Outstanding client and guest feedback.
- Consistent delivery of high‑quality food across all events.
- Strong team engagement and retention.
- Achievement of financial and operational targets.
- Maintaining top‑tier food safety standards (5* hygiene rating).
We ensure you’re rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes but is not limited to:
Benefits
- 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 shopping with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
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