At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations, menu development, and staff training in a vibrant hotel environment.
- Company: Join Andras Hotels, Northern Ireland's largest hotel group, dedicated to hospitality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounted hotel rates, health care plans, enhanced maternity/paternity pay, and employee appreciation events.
- Why this job: Create memorable dining experiences while working in a supportive, team-oriented atmosphere with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Must have 2+ years as a Head Chef and management experience; strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including mornings and weekends, with a focus on teamwork and quality service.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 52000 £ per year.
Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 117 Milltown Road
About Us
Andras Hotels is Northern Ireland's largest hotel group with nine hotels in Belfast, Coleraine and Portrush, two apartment complexes, a Café Bar and a Health Club and Spa. We are rapidly expanding our portfolio and we are dedicated to promoting tourism and hospitality across the country. We develop our people through our Andras Academy, the industry Wellbeing and Development Promise, and we are proud to be signed up to Green Tourism.
Crowne Plaza Belfast is one of the leading conference & event hotels in Northern Ireland; with 153 bedrooms, Green Room & Spice Club restaurant, River Bar Lounge & Bistro, 21 meeting rooms catering for up to 1,000 delegates and over 300 car parking spaces – all set in a lush parkland setting.
What is the job?
As HEAD CHEF - CONFERENCE & BANQUETING you will direct all kitchen operations within busy conference and banqueting areas - including menu development, staff training and development, inventory management, food and payroll cost controls as well as food safety and quality. Key to this is the preparation of delicious food - helping create memorable experiences for our guests.
You will work very closely with the Executive Chef and other Head Chefs to co-ordinate resources according to business demand - including cross kitchen management in their absence.
Hours: 40 hours
What We Offer
- Discounted Hotel Rates across thousands of hotels worldwide for employees and for family and friends
- Health Care Cash Plan
- Diamond membership of Kingsbridge Hospital Group
- Enhanced Pension Scheme
- Enhanced Maternity Pay
- Enhanced Paternity Pay
- Cycle to work
- Recruit a friend scheme
- Employee Appreciation and Social Events
- Employee of the Month Award £20 for completion of FLOW training
- Increased Annual leave with service
- Discount at Bodyscape – Employee rate and family and friend rate
- Discount at Puregym
- Cyrospa discount rate at Bodyscape
- Communication and advice on Health and Wellbeing
- Andras Academy – Training and Development Programmes and progression opportunities within the Andras Hotels Group
- Work for globally renowned Hotel Brands
- Reward Club Incentive Scheme
- Hotel Incentive scheme
About The Role
Your day to day:
- Direct daily kitchen activities, plan and assign work ensuring you always have the right staffing numbers according to business demand.
- Develop your team and improve their performance through coaching and feedback, creating performance and development goals for colleagues - recognising good performance.
- Recommend, initiate and deliver any HR related actions where needed - including recruitment, induction, training, development and performance management.
- Drive a great working environment for teams to thrive – connecting and supporting between kitchens to foster a sense of one team.
- Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments.
- Communicate with all hotel department heads to stay informed of kitchen needs and ensure timely responses to requests.
Guest Experience
- Maintaining agreed brand and quality standards to exceed guest expectations.
- Encourage guest feedback to improve guest satisfaction by actively engaging with guests during service.
- Answer guest questions about dishes and allergen information ensuring a safe food environment for all guests and staff.
- Continues focus on adapting our menu offering in accordance with guest demand and trends to maximise revenue opportunities.
- Competitor analysis to ensure we are offering market leading products and services.
Responsible Business
- Ensuring that we keep a close eye on reducing waste as much as possible, not just for cost control, but being more sustainable in terms of sourcing food.
- Compliance for current Health & Safety and Food Safety reductions and policies.
- Securing stock and equipment to minimise or eliminate loss.
- Ensure that all kitchen equipment and environment are hygienic and working properly.
Financial
- Complete weekly departmental rotas and payroll forecasts to manage costs in line with business needs, adapting these to deal with last minute changes as required.
- Active management of the kitchen food cost through effective ordering, stock rotation and dish preparation to reduce waste.
- Maintain costing and allergen information of all dishes prepared and sold from the kitchen, so these are readily available.
Accountability
- Managing and supervising the day-to-day operation of Conference & Banqueting.
- Flexibility to work various working patterns including mornings, evenings and weekends.
- Supporting the overall running of the kitchen by covering River Bar Lounge & Bistro or Green Room & Spice Club restaurant kitchens in the absence of the Executive Chef or other Head Chefs or when business demand requires it.
Skills Needed
About The Company
Andras House Ltd is a leading property development and hospitality company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Established in 1981, the company has grown into a highly successful multi-million pound organisation with an extensive portfolio of office, hotel and leisure developments.
We are proud to be at the forefront of hospitality in Northern Ireland. With seven hotels we are Belfast's largest hotel group with 1000 bedrooms in the City.
Andras Hotels is proud to be the leading hotel group in Belfast with current awards of Best Hotel in Belfast for Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre, Best Budget Hotel in Ireland for Ibis Belfast City Centre and Best Serviced Apartments for Cordia Serviced Apartments.
Company Culture
Andras Hotels is Northern Ireland's largest hotel group and we are proud to have been at the forefront of hospitality for the past 30 years. We subscribe to the Hospitality Employers Charter, which means we are committed to providing training, development, and support to all of our team members. We offer a range of staff benefits and opportunities to grow your career in our fast-growing company. Our Andras Academy provides training and development for all team members and we are an equal opportunities employer.
Desired Criteria
Required Criteria:
- Previous experience in a Head Chef or Banqueting Head Chef role, at least two years.
- At least two years management experience or equivalent combination of education and culinary/kitchen operations experience.
- Fully capable of communicating in both written and spoken English.
- Previous experience of managing both food and payroll costs.
- IT literacy in Microsoft Office applications.
Closing Date: Monday 23rd June, 2025
Contract Type: full-time
Salary: £18.24 Hourly
Seniority level: Not Applicable
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Management and Manufacturing
Industries: Hospitality
Crowne Plaza Belfast - Head Chef - Conference & Banqueting employer: Andras Hotels
Contact Detail:
Andras Hotels Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Crowne Plaza Belfast - Head Chef - Conference & Banqueting
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Crowne Plaza Belfast's menu and recent events. Understanding their culinary style and guest preferences will help you demonstrate your fit for the Head Chef role during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Andras Hotels. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when you engage with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've developed teams in previous roles. Highlighting your experience in coaching and performance management will resonate well with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends in the hospitality industry, especially in conference and banqueting services. Being able to discuss innovative ideas for menu development and guest experiences will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Crowne Plaza Belfast - Head Chef - Conference & Banqueting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in kitchen management and banqueting. Emphasise your previous roles as a Head Chef or in similar positions, showcasing your skills in menu development, staff training, and cost control.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for the culinary arts and your understanding of the hospitality industry. Mention specific achievements in your career that align with the responsibilities of the Head Chef role at Crowne Plaza Belfast.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on key skills such as food safety compliance, inventory management, and team leadership. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen operations and improved guest satisfaction in past roles.
Showcase Your Understanding of Sustainability: Given the emphasis on sustainability in the job description, mention any initiatives you've led or participated in that aimed to reduce waste and promote sustainable sourcing in your previous kitchens.
How to prepare for a job interview at Andras Hotels
✨Showcase Your Culinary Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience as a Head Chef or in a similar role. Highlight specific dishes you've created, menu innovations, and how you've managed kitchen operations effectively.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a team, be ready to share examples of how you've developed and motivated your staff. Discuss your approach to training and performance management to show you can foster a positive working environment.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with food cost management and inventory control. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets and reduced waste in previous roles, as financial acumen is crucial for this position.
✨Engage with Guest Experience
Talk about your commitment to guest satisfaction. Share examples of how you've adapted menus based on guest feedback or trends, and how you ensure a safe and enjoyable dining experience for all guests.