Who Are Absolute Taste and What Do We Do?
We are an innovative culinary and customer service provider, dedicated to delivering inspirational food and experiences that redefine customer satisfaction. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for pushing boundaries, we continue to grow from strength to strength.
As a small, dynamic team of event professionals, we specialize in creating exciting, well-managed, and sustainable events, while fostering strong working relationships. We're looking for individuals who share our fun, resilient, and hardworking values to join our supportive, high-performing team.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a highly regarded organisation dedicated to success and a positive, empowering culture.
About the Role
Absolute Taste is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head Chef to lead our exceptional culinary experiences across a portfolio of exciting and high-profile events. From large-scale Formula One hospitality and prestigious golf championships to private and corporate events, you will be at the forefront of creating unforgettable dining experiences. This role is ideal for a passionate and skilled chef who thrives in a fast-paced, creative environment and relishes the opportunity to lead large teams in delivering extraordinary food and service that leave a lasting impression.
Your key responsibilities as Head Chef :
General
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Full Culinary lead and accountable for a major event, along with smaller events at other times of the year, to include writing and costing of all menus in accordance of food budgets, along with recruiting of staff.
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Key client contact from a culinary perspective
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Perform an event leadership role across all culinary functions. Providing direction and motivation to all teams
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To ensure the overall delivery and management of the kitchen operations for projects is to the required standards
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Be able to communicate progress clearly, accurately and transparently to key internal and external stakeholders
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Form part of the strategic team, ensuring the overarching goals of the project are achieved
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Management of ‘on site’ team and ability to scale up and adapt management between pre event and on event requirements
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Responsible for sourcing, managing and controlling of ingredients, with support from procurement team
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Actively seek efficiencies in operational deliveries with regards to food COS, supplier networks and resource for both hospitality and retail
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Development of all kitchen operational aspects of the event and to work to strict budgets whilst striving for great food and service
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Strict procurement management, to make sure targets and budgets are adhered to
Budget & Finance
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Fully control and are accountable for the food and kitchen labour budgets of key events, alongside future forecasting and reforecasting throughout the year, reporting financials into project lead
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To work alongside Finance department and Project Lead for ongoing management of the budget, including forecasting, tracking spend
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Tracking all associated spends, including but not limited to; food, labour and kitchen equipment
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Working closely with the procurement team to facilitate invoicing, tracking orders and deliveries and reconciliations for each key event.
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Follow company finance processes; raising PO’s, receipts, submitting supplier invoices to finance
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Maintain a good knowledge of seasonal ingredients and food costs and ensure cost pressures across all areas are regularly reviewed and adapted in order to mitigate these increases
Strategy
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Work closely with project lead to research and determine the overall F&B strategy, to include;
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Local food trends to each location
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Look and feel for each location
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Hospitality trends
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Development of the team and hospitality offers at each location
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Act as an ambassador for Absolute Taste towards our client and guests
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Monitoring and maintaining overall morale of the culinary team, paying close attention to the mental well-being of each individual team member and ensuring that their needs are always taken into consideration and acting accordingly
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Responsible for working with internal departments, external suppliers and other 3rd parties stakeholders to implement the department strategy
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Develop innovative and creative yet sensible menus, giving consideration to local specialities and availability
Onsite
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Attendance of major event, smaller events and supporting wider team on relevant projects
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Act as key member of the event delivery team
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Responsible for ensuring all chefs are providing best in class hospitality and team food
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Develop and provide kitchen packs and briefings to all chefs ensuring all key information is provided
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Responsibility for the management and kitchen production across site in line with company guidelines
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Management of all procurement, stock and waste reporting
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Calm and decisive in challenging, stressful situations
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Managing suppliers and freight alongside the logistics team; leading the kitchen set up and pack down processes
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Planning, organizing, and managing the daily operations of all kitchen staff to ensure efficiency
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Identify and implement ways to further enhance the food offer
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Ensure all records and reports are fully completed, up-to-date and comply with local and company food safety and health and safety policies
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Ensure all allergen documents are always completed and up to date
Other
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Excellent team relationship building and recruitment of chefs
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A variety of operational and planning experience for greenfield events
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Build and maintain strong working relationships with all client stakeholders and internal teams
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Produce and maintain all packing lists for kitchen kit for each event alongside Logistics Managers
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Design and continuously improve and implement processes to ensure the smooth running of the event
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Enforce adherence to regulations, quality and safety standards in accordance with local laws
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Develop and communicate standard operating procedures to all kitchen staff
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Ensure supplies and equipment are adequate in quantity and quality together with operations manager
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Attend the post-event debrief
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International event and/or F1 experience
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Organised, punctual, motivational, and with varied communication skills, (formal, informal, international)
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To be conversant with all company codes of conduct
What We’re Looking For
Essential
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Senior Head Chef experience — proven leadership within events, catering or hospitality
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Team leadership — ability to inspire, motivate and manage large, diverse kitchen teams
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Menu development — exceptional menu writing, creativity and awareness of food trends, dietary needs and sustainability
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Event planning — strong organisational and time‑management skills, including greenfield event delivery
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Cost & budget control — confident managing budgets, costings and food ordering systems
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Food safety expertise — thorough understanding of hygiene, safety and allergen regulations
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Procurement & stock control — experience managing suppliers, purchasing and inventory
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Calm under pressure — decisive, solutions‑focused and able to troubleshoot operational challenges quickly
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Team building & recruitment — strong relationship‑building and hiring capability
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Flexibility — able to work evenings, weekends and travel internationally as required
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Organised & communicative — punctual, structured and confident with adaptable communication
Desirable
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International event experience
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Formula One or motorsport exposure
Why Join Absolute Taste?
Working with us means joning a fast‑growing, innovative company that is redefining culinary and event experiences. You’ll be part of a supportive, resilient team that values creativity, development, and having fun at work.
What you’ll get :
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25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
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Company Pension Scheme
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Life assurance
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Thorough training and ongoing development
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A positive, empowering culture where your growth matters
We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.
