Head Chef in Exeter

We are looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen at the historic Duke of Cornwall Hotel. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and commercially minded chef to take ownership of the hotel's food offering, leading the kitchen team across restaurant service, events, weddings, conferences, and private dining.

It is also an exciting time to join the hotel, as the building is preparing to reopen at the end of August following a period of maintenance and improvement works, creating a fantastic opportunity for a Head Chef to help shape the next chapter of the hotel's food offering and guest experience.

Working closely with the senior leadership team, you will play a key role in continuing to elevate the guest experience while developing a food offering that reflects the character and reputation of one of Plymouth's most iconic hotels. Located in the heart of Plymouth, the Duke of Cornwall Hotel is one of the city's most recognisable and historic hotels, combining Victorian character with a busy and varied hospitality operation.

This role offers the opportunity to shape the kitchen operation, inspire and develop your team, and make a genuine impact within a well-established Plymouth destination hotel where no two days are ever the same.

Our vision is to become Devon's most welcoming hotels, delivering outstanding hospitality, great food, and experiences that guests love to return to. We believe our people are our biggest assets and understand the value in putting them first. Our approach to diversity in the workplace, health & wellbeing, sustainability, and individuality sets us apart from our competitors.

A Day in the Life of Our Head Chef

• Leading the kitchen teams across The Duke of Cornwall hotel, ensuring the team deliver consistently excellent food and service.
• Inspiring, developing, and mentoring your team, creating a positive kitchen culture where standards, teamwork, and learning thrive.
• Driving menu development, bringing fresh ideas that balance creativity, quality, and commercial performance across the hotel.
• Overseeing all aspects of kitchen operations, from service delivery and food quality to cost control, stock management, and supplier relationships.
• Ensuring the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and compliance, maintaining a kitchen environment that is organised, safe, and efficient.
• Working closely with the senior hotel leadership team to deliver memorable guest experiences across restaurant service, events, and group business.
• Managing rotas, labour costs, and kitchen performance to ensure the operation runs smoothly while supporting team wellbeing.
• Leading from the front during service, ensuring every dish leaving the kitchen reflects the standards and reputation of our hotels.

What We Need From You

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, leading busy kitchens and managing full kitchen operations within a hotel, restaurant, or similar high-volume environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build, develop, and motivate a kitchen brigade while maintaining a positive and professional culture.
• Demonstrable experience managing kitchen financial performance, including food GP, stock control, and labour costs.
• A hands-on leader who remains calm and organised during busy services while maintaining exceptional standards.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, kitchen compliance, and HACCP standards.
• A passion for quality food and menu development, with the ambition to build a reputation locally for elevating the food offering at our hotels.

OUR BENEFITS

• Discounted hotel room rates for you and your friends & family.
• An additional day's holiday for your birthday.
• Enhanced Maternity, adoption & shared parental leave.
• Course Sponsorship.
• 30% F&B discount at RBH hotels.
• Refer a Friend scheme (earn £250 for each referral up to 5 referrals).
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Wagestream - choose how and when you get paid.
• Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Social and wellness events and activities all year round.
• Free meals on duty saving you over £1000 per year.
• Salary band ranging from £37k - £40k depending on experience.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

RBH Hospitality Management is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture.