At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team, creating high-quality food for events of all sizes.
- Company: Join a vibrant hotel group known for its exceptional dining experiences.
- Benefits: Earn £42,000 plus tips, enjoy free meals, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a creative role with opportunities for career growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in banqueting and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Live-in accommodation available, plus a supportive team culture.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 46000 £ per year.
Be part of the Family
We’re a family business through and through – family owned since 1868, family run and with a warm family welcome for guests and team alike. Our seven hotels are unique and set in three stunning Scottish locations. Some are big, some are small, but all offer fantastic food and drink, cozy beds and a wealth of things to do.
We offer an expansive range of benefits to help you make the most of life outside of work, and we’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels heard and valued.
We treat our guests like family, and we support our people the same way. If you’re someone who lives our values of Be Creative, Be Curious, Be Thoughtful, Be Positive and Be You, you’ll fit right in.
Crieff Hydro Hotel
Crieff Hydro is one of Scotland’s most iconic hospitality businesses, welcoming over 200,000 guests a year across our hotels, restaurants, bars and experiences. Recent major investments have seen our kitchens, restaurants and bars at Crieff Hydro transformed to provide an updated offering to our guests.
About the role
We’re looking for a Banqueting Head Chef to lead our dedicated kitchen team, delivering high-quality, consistent food across our restaurants, cafés, and events. This is a role with real variety – from private, formal dinners for 5 people to large-scale banquets and events for 500+.
The successful candidate will live and lead by our values:
Be Creative. Be Curious. Be Thoughtful. Be Positive. Be You
You’ll oversee the day-to-day running of the production and banqueting kitchen, ensuring smooth operations, high standards, and efficient service delivery. That means everything from menu planning and stock control to rota management and coaching your team. You’ll set the tone – combining meticulous attention to detail with strong time management, and inspiring your team to deliver at their best.
This is a full-time role (45 hours per week). It’s not all late nights – we host many daytime events too, so you’ll enjoy a good balance of shifts.
What we need from you
- Banqueting Experience – Proven experience running large-scale banquets, conferences, and events as well as private dining.
- Leadership – Track record as a Head Chef or senior production chef, confident leading and inspiring a diverse kitchen team.
- Organisation & Time Management – Ability to balance multiple priorities while keeping operations smooth and efficient.
- Meticulous Attention to Detail – From presentation to planning, you set and maintain the highest standards.
- Operational Knowledge – Strong understanding of high-volume food production, menu planning, stock control, and food safety.
- Flexibility – Comfortable switching between large events, day-to-day production, and more intimate dining experiences.
What you’ll get from us
- £42,000 per annum plus a share of tips (estimated £3,000 per annum).
- Live-in Accommodation – On-site, affordable housing with bills included may be available. Most rooms are single occupancy with an ensuite, though this isn’t guaranteed. Availability and rates (set by HMRC) can be discussed at interview.
- Exclusive Discounts – Enjoy 50% off food, drinks and retail, free leisure membership for you and a partner, and reduced rates on hotel activities.
- Team Rate Hotel Stays – Recharge with discounted stays at all of our hotels from just £30 per night – where will you explore next?
- Refer a Friend Bonus – Earn up to £250–£500 for each successful team member or manager you recommend to us.
- Guest Mention Rewards – Earn £5 every time a guest gives you a positive shoutout in a review.
- Career Progression – With seven hotels, multiple departments, and a wide range of roles, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow and explore new career paths.
- Wellbeing Support – Access 24/7 confidential support via the Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme, covering mental health, finances, and more.
- Team Events & Annual Staff Party – We love to celebrate our people! Enjoy team events throughout the year and a legendary annual staff party.
Careers at the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels
We have dedicated social media pages for our Careers within the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels. Give us a follow to keep up to date with the latest careers news and insights.
Facebook: Crieff Hydro Family Careers | Crieff
Instagram: instagram.com
Please note: This opportunity does not qualify for sponsorship. To be considered for this role, you must have the right to work in the UK.
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Head Chef - Banqueting employer: Crieff Hydro Limited
Contact Detail:
Crieff Hydro Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Banqueting
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who know about banqueting. A friendly chat can lead to insider info on job openings that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or a pop-up dinner to showcase your culinary talents. This not only demonstrates your expertise but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to restaurants and hotels you admire. A well-crafted email expressing your interest can set you apart from the crowd and might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented chefs like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Let’s get you cooking up a storm!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Banqueting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Banqueting Experience: Make sure to highlight your experience with large-scale banquets and events in your application. We want to see how you've led teams and managed high-volume food production, so don’t hold back!
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented: We love a candidate who can juggle multiple priorities while keeping everything running smoothly. Share examples of how you’ve maintained high standards in menu planning and stock control – it’ll really make your application stand out!
Lead by Example: As a Head Chef, you’ll need to inspire your team. In your application, tell us about times when you’ve set high standards for presentation and service. We’re looking for someone who can motivate others to deliver their best!
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, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crieff Hydro Limited
✨Know Your Banqueting Basics
Make sure you brush up on your experience with large-scale banquets and events. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed high-volume food production and what strategies you used to ensure quality and consistency.
✨Show Off Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to talk about your leadership style and how you inspire your kitchen team. Think of instances where you've coached team members or improved kitchen operations, and be ready to share those stories during the interview.
✨Master the Menu Planning
Since menu planning is a key part of the role, come prepared with ideas for menus that cater to both small and large events. Highlight your understanding of stock control and how you maintain high standards in food safety and presentation.
✨Demonstrate Your Time Management
Be ready to discuss how you juggle multiple priorities in a busy kitchen environment. Share examples of how you've effectively managed your time during peak service periods and ensured smooth operations across different events.