At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations, inspire your team, and create unforgettable guest experiences.
- Company: Join Forest Holidays, a unique retreat focused on sustainability and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days holiday, annual bonuses, subsidised meals, and discounts on holidays.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values personal growth and teamwork.
- Why this job: Balance your passion for cooking with a fulfilling work-life in stunning woodland settings.
- Qualifications: Experience in fast-paced kitchens and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 32000 £ per year.
Love Cooking, But Ready for Better Balance? Join Forest Holidays as a Kitchen Manager.
Salary: Up to £32,000 per annum
Hours: Full time - 40 hours per week
Working pattern: 5 days out of 7, including alternate weekends
Are you a passionate Kitchen Manager looking for something more than the usual hospitality grind? At Forest Holidays, you can continue doing what you love while enjoying a healthier work‑life balance in one of the UK’s most breathtaking woodland locations. Nestled within Glentress Forest, our unique retreat offers guests the chance to escape everyday life, and offers you the opportunity to lead a kitchen surrounded by nature, not city stress.
The Role
As Kitchen Manager, you’ll lead all kitchen operations within our Forest Retreat — the social heart of the location, featuring a restaurant, bar and shop. Guests can dine with us or enjoy freshly prepared meals delivered directly to their cabin. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll inspire your team, drive standards, manage commercial performance and help create unforgettable guest experiences.
Responsibilities
- Leading the day‑to‑day kitchen operation
- Coaching, mentoring and developing your team
- Maintaining exceptional food quality and presentation standards
- Managing kitchen compliance, HACCP and health & safety procedures
- Driving efficiency, stock control and budget management
- Creating a positive, supportive and high‑performing kitchen culture
- Ensuring smooth service during busy holiday periods
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a confident and motivating leader who thrives in a busy kitchen environment and genuinely enjoys developing people.
Required Qualifications
- Experience in a fast‑paced food & beverage environment
- Previous leadership or kitchen management experience
- Strong organisational and multitasking skills
- A calm, solutions‑focused approach under pressure
- Passion for great food and outstanding guest service
- Experience with stock control and purchasing
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office
Most importantly, you’ll be someone who leads from the front and takes pride in creating a kitchen where people enjoy coming to work.
Why Forest Holidays?
We’re not your typical hospitality business. We create memorable stays in beautiful forest locations while protecting and conserving the land around us. With over 800 colleagues across the UK, we’re passionate about sustainability, wellbeing and helping people reconnect with nature.
Benefits
- 31 days holiday (including bank holidays), plus extra with long service
- Annual bonus linked to customer service performance
- Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
- Subsidised meals while on shift
- Discounted Forest Holidays and Sykes Cottages breaks for you, friends & family
- One paid volunteering day each year
- Pension scheme, life assurance & health cash plan
- Long service awards, wellbeing events & team celebrations
- Hundreds of retail discounts across top UK brands
At Forest Holidays, we believe in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll be happy to support you. Please note: If successful in the role, any job offer will be subject to pre‑employment checks, including a basic criminal record check.
Balanced Kitchen Manager: Lead, Quality & Team Growth in Peebles employer: Forest Holidays
At Forest Holidays, we pride ourselves on being more than just a hospitality employer; we offer a unique opportunity to lead a kitchen in a stunning woodland setting that promotes a healthy work-life balance. With a strong focus on sustainability and employee wellbeing, our Kitchen Manager role comes with generous benefits including 31 days of holiday, annual bonuses, and opportunities for personal growth within a supportive team culture. Join us in creating unforgettable experiences for our guests while enjoying the beauty of nature and a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Balanced Kitchen Manager: Lead, Quality & Team Growth in Peebles
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out Forest Holidays' social media and website. Understanding their values and vibe will help you connect during the chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've inspired your team or handled a busy service. We want to hear how you lead from the front and create a positive kitchen culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for food! Be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you maintain quality in the kitchen. Your enthusiasm can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare some thoughtful queries about the role and the team. It shows you're genuinely interested and helps us see if you’re the right fit for our kitchen.
We think you need these skills to ace Balanced Kitchen Manager: Lead, Quality & Team Growth in Peebles
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you in the kitchen. We want to see that you're not just looking for a job, but a place where you can thrive and share your culinary passion.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Kitchen Manager, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated and developed your team in the past. We’re all about creating a positive kitchen culture, so let us know how you’ve contributed to that!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points if necessary to highlight your key skills and experiences. We appreciate straightforwardness, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Forest Holidays and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forest Holidays
✨Know Your Kitchen Inside Out
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of kitchen operations, especially in a fast-paced environment. Be ready to discuss how you’ve led teams, maintained food quality, and managed compliance in previous roles. This will show your passion for the role and your readiness to lead at Forest Holidays.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership skills. Think about times when you’ve coached or mentored team members, and how you’ve created a positive kitchen culture. Forest Holidays is looking for someone who leads from the front, so make sure to convey your motivating approach.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Food and Service
During the interview, express your love for cooking and outstanding guest service. Share stories that illustrate your commitment to creating memorable dining experiences. This aligns perfectly with Forest Holidays' mission to provide unforgettable guest experiences in a beautiful setting.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle busy holiday periods or manage stock control. Think through potential scenarios and how you would approach them calmly and efficiently. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to thrive under pressure, which is crucial for this role.
