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- Tasks: Lead a talented kitchen team to create unforgettable dining experiences in a luxury setting.
- Company: Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere - a prestigious luxury destination in Cheshire.
- Benefits: Exclusive discounts, competitive salary, 28 days holiday, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and elevate your culinary career in a stunning environment.
- Qualifications: Proven managerial experience in luxury hospitality and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Be part of a unique culture with extraordinary colleagues and growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: On-site in Knutsford, Cheshire, North-West England (not remote). Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere is one of the North West’s most distinguished luxury destinations. Nestled in the heart of the Cheshire countryside and surrounded by a championship golf course, the resort combines Fairmont’s world-renowned elegance with the warmth and character of its local heritage. Renowned for exceptional service and attention to detail, Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere offers guests an indulgent escape featuring world-class spa experiences, exceptional dining, and outstanding leisure facilities.
Your Purpose: The Executive Sous Chef provides strategic oversight and mentorship to the kitchen brigade, ensuring the flawless delivery of Fairmont’s luxury standards. This role balances culinary excellence with fiscal responsibility, driving profitability through data-led labor management, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing. By upholding rigorous quality controls and HACCP protocols, the Executive Sous Chef ensures a world-class, "audit-ready" environment that transforms every meal into a memorable guest experience.
Job Description:
- Assign detailed duties to all culinary "Heartists," providing hands-on instruction to maintain Fairmont’s high standards of gourmet mastery while fostering a culture of mutual respect and professional empowerment.
- Ensure 100% adherence to Fairmont’s grooming and deportment standards, acting as a role model for the brigade to deliver a consistent, "special happens" guest experience.
- Partner with the Executive Chef to optimize food quantity and quality.
- Leverage AI-powered platforms like Orbisk and FoodSteps to track, measure, and aggressively reduce food waste in line with Accor’s 2026 sustainability targets.
- Collaborate with the Executive Chef on data-driven menu design and price adjustments, integrating hyper-local products and "A-rated" sustainable recipes to enhance profitability and guest engagement.
- Audit the sensory profile, temperature, and visual appeal of all dishes.
- Train the team on "culinary storytelling," enabling them to articulate the provenance and local connection of each dish to guests.
- Oversee the organized, clinical storage of all equipment and perishables, ensuring all areas are "audit-ready" and compliant with the highest HACCP and local health legislation standards.
- Prevent the use of contaminated products and strictly manage colleague wellness protocols to ensure that no person suffering from infection participates in food handling.
- Propose new recipes and 2026 culinary trends—such as plant-forward or hyper-local concepts—that improve food quality, lower environmental impact, and reduce food costs.
- Manage the maintenance of all kitchen equipment, coordinating with Engineering to ensure operational efficiency and the longevity of high-value assets.
- Enforce all safety, security, and loss control policies, ensuring every kitchen operation reflects Fairmont’s commitment to being a third-party eco-certified luxury leader.
Please note that we believe in flexibility and multi-skilling, and you may be asked to do different tasks from time to time to enable us to meet the needs of our guests and colleagues.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience in a Managerial role, ideally within a luxury or high‑volume environment.
- Qualification in Hospitality Management/Food & Beverage preferred.
- Additional certification(s) in Food & Beverage will be an advantage.
- Experienced in all aspects of restaurant and banquet service.
- Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in a similar capacity with proven records in delivering results.
- Excellent reading, writing and oral proficiency in English language.
What is in it for you?
- Exclusive Discounts: Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, Spa and Golf discount; Fairmont, Raffles, and Accor Hotels (friends and family rates are included); 20% off food and beverage in on-site restaurants.
- Being part of The Mere Team – our culture is unique! You will benefit from training and development opportunities.
- Competitive salary and benefits including pension.
- 28 days of holiday including public holidays.
- 1-5 days service award based on length of service.
- Special rates for Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere colleagues and their friends & family and discount across Accor hotels worldwide.
- And last but not least you will get to work with a team of EXTRAORDINARY people.
Exec Sous Chef in Leeds employer: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Contact Detail:
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Exec Sous Chef in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, attend industry events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for an Exec Sous Chef role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨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 gives you a chance to impress potential employers but also helps you build your personal brand in the industry.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company culture! Before applying, dive into Fairmont Cheshire’s values and mission. Tailor your approach to reflect how your experience aligns with their commitment to luxury and sustainability. It’ll show you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve made it super easy for you to submit your application directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere. Don’t miss out on this chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Exec Sous Chef in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Culinary Excellence: When writing your application, let your love for food and culinary arts shine through. Share specific experiences that highlight your skills and how you've contributed to creating memorable dining experiences.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the requirements of the Exec Sous Chef role. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you understand what Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere is all about.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As an Executive Sous Chef, you'll be leading a team. In your application, emphasise your managerial experience and how you've successfully mentored others in a high-pressure kitchen environment.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity at Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
✨Know Your Culinary Story
Before the interview, think about your culinary journey and how it aligns with Fairmont's values. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've created memorable dining experiences and how you can bring that expertise to the Executive Sous Chef role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential Executive Sous Chef, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor a team. Prepare to discuss your management style and provide examples of how you've successfully trained and empowered kitchen staff in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Sustainability Practices
Familiarise yourself with sustainable sourcing and waste reduction strategies, especially those relevant to the hospitality industry. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these practices in your past positions and how you can contribute to Fairmont’s sustainability goals.
✨Master HACCP Protocols
Understanding and adhering to HACCP standards is crucial for this role. Brush up on your knowledge of food safety regulations and be ready to explain how you've maintained compliance in previous kitchens, ensuring a safe and 'audit-ready' environment.
