Job Description

At Karen Rhodes Catering, we have spent over 35 years building a reputation for delivering weddings and events with elegance, confidence, and absolute attention to detail.

To our clients, everything appears effortless.

Food arrives perfectly timed.
Menus feel considered and balanced.
Service flows without friction.

What they don't see is the preparation behind the scenes.

The paperwork.
The planning.
The orders, checks, calculations, and systems that ensure every event runs smoothly and profitably.

That is where this role sits.

We are looking for an experienced, highly organised Head Chef to take ownership of the kitchen operation from a leadership, planning, and management perspective. This is not just a cooking role. It is a senior position focused on structure, consistency, GP control, and team leadership, ensuring that every event is delivered to the highest standard, without chaos or compromise.

This role suits someone who understands that great food starts long before service.

The role

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for the smooth, profitable, and well organised running of the kitchen operation across weddings and events.

This includes:

Full responsibility for food GP, costings, and margin control Menu costing, pricing, and regular GP review Placing and managing all food orders accurately and on time Supplier management and pricing awareness Creating and maintaining clear prep plans and production schedules Managing kitchen paperwork, documentation, and systems Overseeing allergen compliance, dietary requirements, and food safety paperwork Creating and managing staff rotas for the kitchen team Managing kitchen staffing levels in line with event requirements Leading, training, and developing the kitchen team Ensuring consistent food quality across all events Maintaining organisation, cleanliness, and standards within the kitchen Forward planning for upcoming events, not reactive firefighting
You will work closely with the wider operations team to ensure that menus, staffing, orders, and prep are aligned well in advance.

By the time an event arrives, everything should already be planned, ordered, prepped, and controlled.

Who this role is for

This role would suit a Head Chef who:

Is highly organised and methodical Enjoys the planning and paperwork side of the role as much as cooking Understands GP, margins, and commercial responsibility Takes pride in accurate ordering and preparation Is confident managing rotas, staffing levels, and labour costs Leads calmly and sets clear expectations Values consistency, structure, and standards Thinks ahead and plans proactively Takes responsibility seriously and follows things through
You understand that strong leadership in the kitchen is built on clarity, preparation, and control.

This role is not for you if

This role is not for Head Chefs who:

Prefer to focus only on service and cooking Dislike paperwork, ordering, or admin responsibilities Are relaxed about GP, margins, or wastage Leave planning until the last minute Rely on firefighting rather than preparation Avoid responsibility for systems and structure Do not enjoy managing people, rotas, and costs
At Karen Rhodes Catering, excellence is intentional.

It is planned, costed, documented, and delivered with care.

Why this role matters

This is a senior and trusted role within the business. You will be responsible for protecting food quality, profitability, and consistency across a busy and varied events calendar.

Your work ensures that the kitchen runs smoothly, the team is supported, and every event reflects the reputation we have built over more than three decades.

If you take satisfaction in knowing that everything is organised, controlled, and delivered properly, this role will feel deeply rewarding.

Job Type:

Full-time, Permanent

Salary:

40,000 - 45,000 per year

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Discounted or free food Free parking On-site parking

Experience:

Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef role: 3 years (required) Strong GP and ordering responsibility: essential

Work Location:

In person

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 40,000.00-45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Discounted or free food Free parking On-site parking
Work Location: In person