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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create seasonal menus that wow our guests.
- Company: Join Cairn Group, a leading UK hospitality company with over 60 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy real-time pay, discounts, bonuses, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment while crafting unforgettable dining experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef with a passion for quality food.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values respect, integrity, sustainability, and excellence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Hospitality Starts Here – Build Your Future with Cairn Group. Are you ready to grow your career in hospitality? At Cairn Group, we believe work should be rewarding, exciting, and full of opportunities to learn and develop. Whether you're creating unforgettable guest experiences or supporting your team, you'll be part of a friendly, supportive environment where your contributions are valued. With the opportunity to learn, develop, and be recognized, Cairn is a place where you can build a career you’re proud of.
About the Role: At Cairn Group, we’re proud to deliver best‑in‑class hospitality—and that extends to the kitchen. We’re looking for a talented and motivated Head Chef to lead a dynamic kitchen team, craft thoughtful, seasonal menus, and help shape the reputation of our restaurant. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who combines culinary expertise with strong leadership and commercial awareness.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Lead the kitchen team to deliver consistently high standards of food, service, and safety.
- Create and develop menus that showcase fresh, seasonal ingredients and reflect the style and identity of the venue.
- Manage kitchen operations including rota planning, ordering, stock control, and supplier relationships.
- Ensure all compliance with food hygiene, health & safety, and HACCP protocols.
- Control costs and drive profitability through smart menu planning, waste reduction, and labour management.
- Foster a positive team culture, encouraging learning, development, and performance improvement.
- Work closely with front‑of‑house and senior management to ensure seamless service and an exceptional guest experience.
About You: You’re an experienced Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef with a passion for fresh, quality food and seasonal cooking. You bring creative flair alongside commercial focus—you understand how to build menus that balance flavour and cost. You’re a confident and collaborative leader who takes pride in developing a high‑performing team. You’re calm, organised, and focused under pressure, with excellent planning and communication skills. You’re financially aware, with a good understanding of P&Ls, KPIs, and cost controls.
About Us: Cairn Group is a leading UK hospitality company with over 60 years of expertise in hotel acquisition, ownership, management, investment, and development. Our journey has been shaped by successful partnerships with global brands and a commitment to creating thriving, guest‑focused properties. At Cairn Group, our values - Respect, Integrity, Sustainability, and Excellence (RISE) - are at the heart of everything we do. We respect our team and guests, act with integrity, and invest in our people to build a sustainable future—for our business, our communities, and the planet. Every day, we work to deliver excellence, going the extra mile to create outstanding experiences for our guests.
Benefits:
- Service Excellence Bonus: Your hard work pays off. Service charge tips and gratuities add a well‑earned boost to your paycheck.
- Get Paid in Real‑Time with Wagestream: Take control of your earnings. Track your pay live, access funds when needed, and get expert financial tips—all in real‑time.
- Stay, Relax and Recharge: Enjoy discounted stays across all our venues. Treat yourself or bring your friends and family along for a well‑earned break.
- Delicious Discounts: Indulge a little with 50% off food and drinks across our hotels, bars and restaurants.
- Spa Discounts: Self‑care matters! Treat yourself with exclusive wellness offers at our spas and leisure clubs.
- Retail, Cinema & Fun Discounts: Enjoy exclusive access to savings on shopping, cinema trips and fun days out.
- Rise with Us: From apprenticeships to leadership programs, our development team is here to help you grow and reach your career goals.
- Superstar Awards: Your hard work deserves the spotlight! Each month we celebrate and reward our team members who showcase our values and bring hospitality to life.
- Long‑Service Awards: Celebrate key milestones with us, starting from just one year of service—plus enjoy extra annual leave as a thank‑you for your commitment.
- Recommend a Friend: Bring great people into the team and earn a bonus when they join!
- 24/7 Support: We’re committed to your wellbeing. Access our confidential Employee Assistance Programme anytime, anywhere.
- Pension Scheme: Plan for your future with our pension plan, designed to help you build long‑term security.
- Year‑Round Incentives: Enjoy fun incentives, exciting challenges, and surprise perks throughout the year!
- Bereavement Leave: When life gets tough, we ensure you have the time and support you need to be with your loved ones.
Head Chef in Edinburgh employer: Cairn Group
Contact Detail:
Cairn Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs and hospitality professionals. Attend industry events, join online forums, or even hit up local culinary schools. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your best dishes and menus. A visual representation of your culinary flair can really make you stand out in interviews. Plus, it gives you something to talk about when you're asked about your experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills! Mock interviews with friends or mentors can help you nail those tricky questions. Focus on how you lead a team, manage kitchen operations, and ensure top-notch food safety. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing passionate candidates who are eager to join our team at Cairn Group. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your leadership and culinary expertise. Let’s build a future together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for fresh, quality food shine through. Share your culinary journey and what inspires your menu creations—this is your chance to show us why you're the perfect fit for our kitchen!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, leading a team is key. In your application, talk about your experience in managing kitchen staff, fostering a positive culture, and how you’ve developed high-performing teams. We want to see that you can inspire and motivate others!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles—give us the juicy details! Mention specific achievements, like successful menu launches or cost-saving initiatives. This helps us understand how your experience aligns with our goals at Cairn Group.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Cairn Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cairn Group
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with seasonal ingredients and current food trends. Be ready to discuss how you would create a menu that reflects the venue's identity while keeping costs in check.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Cairn Group values strong leadership, so be prepared to share examples of how you've developed your team in the past. Talk about how you foster a positive kitchen culture and encourage performance improvement.
✨Understand the Business Side
Brush up on your knowledge of P&Ls, KPIs, and cost controls. Be ready to discuss how you would manage kitchen operations effectively, including stock control and supplier relationships, to drive profitability.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Highlight your ability to work closely with front-of-house staff and senior management. Share examples of how you’ve ensured seamless service and exceptional guest experiences in previous roles.
