Head Chef - Howbery Park Estates

At HR Wallingford, we design smart, resilient solutions across the natural and built environments to help everyone live and work more sustainably with water. By harnessing research, data insights and the power of our collective expertise, we help the world to better understand the changing influence and impact of water.

We have an opportunity for a Head Chef to join our Howbery Park Estates hospitality team.

The HR Wallingford Group owns and operates the Howbery Business Park, ( a 70 acre site set in mature, landscaped grounds near to the river Thames. The business science park is located between Oxford and Reading and has excellent links to the M4, M40 and London.

We are seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality meals and exceptional dining experiences for our customers. The successful candidate will be responsible for organising and overseeing all kitchen operations to meet service requirements, preparing and cooking daily meals, and providing catering for hospitality functions, special occasions, and events. You will create and develop menus in conjunction with the Catering Manager, maintain accurate food preparation records, and ensure the highest standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene, and food safety at all times.

The role includes training, mentoring the Assistant Chef, maintaining a clean and safe working environment, monitoring food storage temperatures, and ensuring compliance with Health & Safety legislation, COSHH requirements, Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations, and food allergy guidance. You will also take responsibility for kitchen equipment maintenance reporting, provide cover for the Catering Manager in their absence, and undertake any other duties required to support the efficient operation of the catering service.

About Us

The Manor Café, located on Howbery Business Park beside the River Thames, serves both on-site clients and external visitors with a range of hot and cold food options. With spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas, as well as a takeaway service, the café serves in the region of 130 customers per day with a daily turnover of approximately £1,000 per day.

We also provide hospitality to our conference rooms and across the business park, including hot and cold beverages, business lunches and buffets.

The Manor Café has proudly maintained a 5-star food hygiene rating ("Scores on the Doors") for the past seven consecutive years.

Key qualifications and skills

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, or similar role in a busy catering or hospitality environment.
• Recognised catering qualification
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene, food safety regulations, allergen management, COSHH, and Health & Safety requirements.
• Experience planning, preparing, and delivering high-quality meals, buffets, and hospitality catering.
• Ability to create varied, cost-effective menus that meet customer needs and dietary requirements.
• Experience training, supervising, and motivating kitchen staff.
• Ability to maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, cleanliness, and kitchen discipline.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with the Catering Manager and wider team.

Further information

• Hours of work: Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm 40 Hours per week
• Closing date for applications: 21 st August 2026

Additional information

Our privacy notice for job applicants, available from our website , explains how we collect and process the personal data you may provide us when you apply for a job with us through our websites, or by any other means. This notice also explains how we’ll store and handle that data and keep it.

HR Wallingford are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workplace. We do not discriminate, and work to create an inclusive culture across our business.

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