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Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Head Chef

Refettorio Felix at St Cuthbert's Centre
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London

Posted: 24 Mar 2025

Deadline: 8 May 2025

Compensation: £30,000 per year

Living Wage employer

Paid Full-time Permanent

Job description

About Refettorio Felix

Refettorio Felix is a vibrant community kitchen and dining space that provides high-quality, nutritious meals to vulnerable people in London. As part of a global initiative founded by Chef Massimo Bottura and Food for Soul, we transform surplus food into delicious, dignified meals while fostering inclusivity, sustainability, and social impact.

Role Overview

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen, ensuring every meal served is nutritious, creative, and in line with our commitment to sustainability. This role requires exceptional culinary skills, strong leadership, and the ability to adapt daily to an ever-changing supply of surplus ingredients. You will manage kitchen operations, oversee stock control, lead volunteers, and collaborate with guest chefs to create inspiring menus.

Key Responsibilities

Menu Creation & Food Preparation

• Design and execute daily menus based on surplus food donations, ensuring variety, nutrition, and creativity.
• Planning and preparation of large volume dishes on a daily basis- cooking in excess of 130 meals per day
• Innovate with limited ingredients, thinking on your feet to create high-quality, well-balanced meals.
• Collaborate with guest chefs and enable kitchen takeowvers, incorporating different styles and techniques into the menu.
• Maintain a warm and inclusive dining experience, ensuring meals are prepared with care and dignity.

Stock Control & Kitchen Management

• Oversee stock management, stock control, and stock rotation, ensuring efficient use of ingredients while minimizing waste.
• Implement best practices for food safety, hygiene, and kitchen organization.
• Work with suppliers and donors to optimize food deliveries and storage.
• Keep accurate records of stock levels, food usage, and kitchen operations.

Team Leadership & Volunteer Engagement

• Lead and inspire a team of kitchen staff and volunteers, fostering a positive and collaborative culture.
• Train and mentor volunteers with varied levels of kitchen experience.
• Ensure a supportive and structured environment where volunteers feel valued and engaged.

Sustainability & Food Waste Reduction

• Maximize the potential of surplus ingredients through creative menu planning and careful stock management.
• Develop and implement strategies to reduce food waste and improve sustainability practices.
• Champion our mission of dignity and inclusion by making the most of available resources.

What We’re Looking For

• A qualified and experienced chef with a strong background in professional kitchens, ideally in community-focused or sustainability-driven projects.
• Experience in cooking large volumes of food on a daily basis 
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and inspire a diverse group of staff and volunteers.
• A passion for innovation in menu design, with the ability to create exciting, well-balanced meals from unpredictable ingredients.
• Excellent stock control, stock management, and stock rotation knowledge to ensure efficient kitchen operations.
• Ability to think on your feet and adapt quickly to daily ingredient variations.
• Commitment to high standards of food safety and hygiene (Level 3 Food Hygiene certificate or willingness to obtain).
• A warm, compassionate approach, aligned with Refettorio Felix’s mission of dignity and inclusion.

Benefits

• A unique opportunity to make a real difference in the community through food.
• Being part of an inspiring global initiative tackling food waste and social isolation.
• A Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM schedule, with no weekend work.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.

Application information

If you are a chef with a heart for social change and a love for creative, sustainable cooking, we would love to hear from you! Please send your CV and a short cover letter to recruitment@stcuthbertscentre.org.uk outlining why you’d be a great fit for the Head Chef role at Refettorio Felix.

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