Architectural Association
Head Chef
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Head Chef
Salary: £42,000-£45,000 per annum
Location: London – Bedford Square
Department: Catering
Reporting to: Catering Operations Manager
Starting Date: As soon as possible
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours of work: Full-time, 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday (occasional weekends required). Additional hours may be required to support events
Role Overview
The AA School of Architecture seeks an experienced Head Chef to oversee the preparation of fresh meals for the AA restaurant as well as catering for meetings, events, and special functions, upholding the highest levels of health and safety standards and food safety management.
The ideal candidate will have proven experience, a relevant food safety qualification, strong organisational and financial skills, and the ability to adapt to the varied demands of catering in an educational and cultural setting. Flexibility to work evenings or weekends is also required.
The role involves supporting events throughout the year. A flexible approach is required, with time off in lieu if any overtime is worked.
The role offers broad scope for creativity and growth in the culture of a new and evolving food and drinks programme at the AA with an emphasis on seasonality and sustainability. We’re looking for someone who can work within often tight budgets with imagination and culinary ambition to have a significant impact on the quality and success across all of the catering functions at the AA. There’s a desire to grow the AA bar and restaurant into something with internal and external identity, and to take them both to the "next level”, which the post-holder will be expected to inspire the team to collectively achieve.
Main Responsibilities
- Manage the day-to-day of the AA’s kitchen including arranging workloads for the two Kitchen Assistants and Sous Chef.
- Prepare and serve fresh, healthy and interesting menus for the AA restaurant and special events.
- Design and deliver menus that are cost-effective, inclusive, and adaptable to different dietary needs and cultural backgrounds.
- Work with the AA Catering Operations Manager to offer a varied and interesting selection of food offerings across all areas of the business.
- Lead and motivate the kitchen team to maintain the highest standards of food service and cleanliness.
- Be responsible for health and safety audits.
- Create a positive and inclusive working environment that supports team development and retention.
- Ensure all kitchen activities comply with food safety legislation and internal policies.
- Maintain up-to-date hygiene and safety records (e.g. Safer Food, HACCP, allergen logs).
- Ensure the kitchen and catering spaces are clean, safe, and well-maintained at all times.
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Catering Management
- Oversee the day-to-day running of the AA Restaurant and AA Bar.
- Maintain strong relationships with suppliers and manage ordering and stock control.
Recruitment & Staffing
- Collaborating with Ops manager on recruitment for the kitchen.
Health & Safety and Compliance
- Ensure all kitchen activities comply with food safety legislation and internal policies.
- Maintain up-to-date hygiene and safety records (e.g. Safer Food, HACCP, allergen logs).
- Ensure the kitchen and catering spaces are clean, safe, and well-maintained at all times.
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Person Specification
Essential Requirements
Educational:
- Food Safety and Hygiene Level 3 (minimum).
- Knowledge of dietary requirements and allergen management.
Experience:
- Experienced as a Head Chef or a Senior Sous chef in a busy catering establishment or operation.
- Excellent knowledge and awareness of all UK food hygiene regulations.
- Experience of purchasing, stock control and wastage reduction.
- Experience in writing menus that are healthy, seasonal and interesting.
- A proven ability to train and develop kitchen staff.
- Strong leadership, communication, and time management skills.
- Ability to work flexibly, including occasional evenings or weekends for events.
Abilities:
- Strong, empathetic and inspiring leadership style.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills.
- Able to lead and think clearly when under pressure.
- Accuracy and attention to detail.
- Able to be financially aware, and work to financial targets.
- Be a competent user of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
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Desirable Requirements
- Qualification in vegetarian cookery.
- First aid certification.
What we offer:
- We offer a wide range of staff benefits, including up to 40 days’ leave per annum, in addition to Bank Holiday, a defined pension scheme, season ticket loans and access to professional development opportunities.
- You will also be able to take part and be involved in a creative and unique teaching environment, where the students display their amazing work with various on-site exhibitions, public programmes and lectures.
- Our Bedford Square campus is based just a 5-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road station, right in the heart of Central London.
How to Apply:
Click “Apply” on LinkedIn and submit your CV. If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to complete an AA application form and provide a cover letter as part of the next stage of the process.
Closing date: Tuesday 11th August 2026
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Informal enquires should be addressed to recruitment@aaschool.ac.uk
We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.
Please note that it will not be possible for the AA School to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for successful candidates. Therefore, the appointed candidate will need to be eligible to work in the UK for the duration of their employment with the AA School, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.
Thank you for your interest in the AA and this role.
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