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- Tasks: Lead a creative kitchen, designing seasonal menus for weddings and daily dining.
- Company: Boutique countryside hotel focused on sustainability and high-quality dining.
- Benefits: Creative freedom, supportive team, and opportunities to work with local suppliers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with your culinary skills in a beautiful setting.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or similar role, passion for sustainable cuisine.
- Other info: Ideal for ambitious chefs wanting to innovate and inspire in a hands-on environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for a hands-on, creative Head Chef to lead the kitchen at our boutique countryside hotel. This role blends bespoke small weddings with daily modern British dining, focusing on seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine.
You will have the freedom to experiment with nose-to-tail cooking, sustainable sourcing, and zero-waste practices, creating memorable dishes that reflect the local landscape and produce. This is ideal for a young, ambitious chef passionate about creativity, sustainability, and delivering intimate, high-quality dining experiences.
Key Responsibilities- Design and execute seasonal modern British menus for weddings and daily service
- Create bespoke wedding menus using locally sourced, responsibly produced ingredients
- Apply nose-to-tail and root-to-leaf techniques to minimise waste
- Champion sustainable and zero-waste kitchen practices
- Build strong relationships with local farmers, artisans, and suppliers
- Lead and mentor a small kitchen team in a hands-on environment
- Maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, and hygiene
- Experience as a Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef, or Chef de Partie in a country hotel, boutique hotel, or high-quality restaurant
- Passion for seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine and creative menu development
- Strong commitment to sustainability, zero-waste, and responsible sourcing
- Familiarity with nose-to-tail cooking and resourceful ingredient use
- Experience with weddings, private dining, or small events preferred
- Ability to lead, inspire, and work hands-on with a small kitchen team
- Knowledge of UK food safety and hygiene regulations
- Flexible to work weekends, evenings, and wedding dates
- Creative freedom to shape menus and culinary direction
- A boutique, countryside setting with a supportive and passionate team
- Opportunities to work closely with local suppliers and champion sustainable practices
- Exposure to small, bespoke weddings and intimate events
Head Chef in Southampton employer: DAQIAN Hotel Management Ltd
Contact Detail:
DAQIAN Hotel Management Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! When you’re applying for a Head Chef role, don’t just sit back and wait for the interview. Visit the venue if you can, chat with the staff, and get a feel for the kitchen vibe. It shows you’re genuinely interested and gives you a chance to showcase your passion for their culinary style.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! Prepare a unique dish or menu concept that reflects your style and aligns with their focus on seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine. Bring it along to your interview or share it in your follow-up email. This will demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and innovation in the kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with local farmers, suppliers, and other chefs in the area. Building relationships can give you insider info about the hotel and its culinary needs, plus it shows you’re already invested in the local food scene. Don’t forget to mention these connections during your interview!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through our platform. It’s the best way to ensure we get all your details and can keep track of your journey with us. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of our team right from the start!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine shine through. Share your experiences with nose-to-tail cooking and how you’ve embraced sustainability in your previous roles. We want to see your creativity and commitment to high-quality dining!
Tailor Your Menu Ideas: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to craft a few menu ideas that reflect our focus on local ingredients and zero-waste practices. This will show us that you understand our ethos and are ready to bring your unique flair to our kitchen.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you’ll be leading a small team, so make sure to mention any experience you have in mentoring or managing kitchen staff. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others while maintaining high standards, so share your leadership style with us!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important details about the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at DAQIAN Hotel Management Ltd
✨Showcase Your Creativity
As a Head Chef, creativity is key! Prepare to discuss your unique approach to menu design and how you incorporate seasonal ingredients. Bring along a portfolio of your previous work or even a few recipe ideas that reflect your style and passion for farm-to-table cuisine.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Sustainability
This role emphasises sustainable practices, so be ready to share your experiences with zero-waste cooking and responsible sourcing. Discuss specific examples of how you've implemented these practices in past roles, and how you plan to champion them in this new position.
✨Prepare for Team Leadership Questions
Leading a small kitchen team requires strong interpersonal skills. Think about times when you've mentored others or resolved conflicts in the kitchen. Be prepared to share your leadership philosophy and how you inspire your team to maintain high standards.
✨Know Your Local Suppliers
Building relationships with local farmers and artisans is crucial for this role. Research potential suppliers in the area and be ready to discuss how you would approach sourcing ingredients. Showing that you have a plan for collaboration will impress your interviewers.
