Head Chef - Luxury Country House Hotel
Head Chef - Luxury Country House Hotel

Head Chef - Luxury Country House Hotel

Durham Full-Time 44000 - 62000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Goldenkeys

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a talented kitchen team, create seasonal menus, and ensure top-notch dining experiences.
  • Company: Join a respected luxury country house hotel known for its warm hospitality and high standards.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a £52,000 salary, gym access, spa discounts, and real career development opportunities.
  • Other info: Must have the right to work in the UK; flexible CV submissions accepted.
  • Why this job: Be part of a creative culinary environment in a beautiful countryside setting with a supportive team.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience as a Head Chef or ambitious Senior Sous Chef with a passion for British cuisine.

The predicted salary is between 44000 - 62000 £ per year.

We\’re working with one of the North\’s most respected country house hotels, known for its warm hospitality and consistently high standards. Their inviting golf course restaurant offers a relaxed yet refined dining experience in a beautiful countryside setting. They\’re now looking for a Head Chef to take the lead in a well-supported and talented kitchen team.
What\’s in it for you:

  • £52,000 per annum
  • A 48-hour contract in a highly professional, supportive environment
  • The chance to lead a talented team of 11 chefs
  • Cooking with the best seasonal British produce over a charcoal grill
  • Friends and family rates
  • Access to the gym, spa and fitness classes
  • 50% off dining, spa days and spa treatments
  • 20% off purchases in the spa, golf shop and gift vouchers
  • Real scope for career development

What you\’ll be doing:

  • Running the kitchen day-to-day, setting the tone for excellence and efficiency
  • Developing and delivering creative, seasonal menus with a strong local influence
  • Cooking over a charcoal grill
  • Training, mentoring, and motivating your brigade
  • Working closely with the wider hotel team to ensure a seamless guest experience
  • Maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, compliance, and food safety

About you:

  • A natural leader with proven experience as a Head Chef or an ambitious Senior Sous Chef
  • Rosette-level background with an eye for detail and a love for bold British flavours
  • Calm under pressure, hands-on, and passionate about bringing out the best in your team
  • Organised, driven, and ready to make your mark in a premium kitchen

PLEASE NOTE YOU WILL NEED THE RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK TO BE SUITABLE FOR THIS ROLE.
We appreciate that your CV may not be up to date. No problem, send me what you have to or look me up on LinkedIn and send me a message there!

Head Chef - Luxury Country House Hotel employer: Goldenkeys

Join a prestigious country house hotel in the North, where you will thrive in a supportive and professional environment as Head Chef. With a competitive salary of £52,000, access to exceptional facilities, and real opportunities for career development, this role offers a unique chance to lead a talented kitchen team while creating exquisite seasonal menus that celebrate local produce. Enjoy generous employee benefits, including discounts on dining and spa services, all set against the backdrop of stunning countryside.
Goldenkeys

Contact Detail:

Goldenkeys Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Luxury Country House Hotel

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the hospitality industry, especially those who have experience in luxury hotels. Attend culinary events or workshops where you can meet chefs and hotel managers, as personal connections can often lead to job opportunities.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your culinary skills by creating a portfolio of your best dishes. Consider hosting a pop-up event or collaborating with local restaurants to demonstrate your ability to create seasonal menus and work with high-quality ingredients.

✨Tip Number 3

Research the hotel and its dining philosophy thoroughly. Understanding their approach to food and service will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews, showing that you are genuinely interested in contributing to their vision.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you motivate your team. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen operations and developed junior chefs in previous roles.

We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Luxury Country House Hotel

Leadership Skills
Menu Development
Charcoal Grill Cooking
Team Training and Mentoring
Creativity in Culinary Arts
Attention to Detail
Food Safety Compliance
Time Management
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Strong Communication Skills
Organisational Skills
Passion for British Cuisine
Collaboration with Hotel Staff
Customer Service Orientation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef. Emphasise your leadership skills, experience with seasonal British produce, and any rosette-level achievements.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and your vision for the kitchen. Mention your ability to develop creative menus and your commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food safety.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you have trained and motivated your team in previous roles. Highlight any specific instances where your leadership made a positive impact on kitchen performance.

Express Your Passion for Local Produce: Demonstrate your enthusiasm for using local ingredients in your cooking. Mention any experiences you have had working with seasonal produce and how it influences your menu development.

How to prepare for a job interview at Goldenkeys

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Head Chef, demonstrating your leadership abilities is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing kitchen teams, mentoring staff, and how you set the tone for excellence in a high-pressure environment.

✨Highlight Your Culinary Creativity

This role requires developing creative, seasonal menus. Bring examples of your past menu creations or ideas that reflect bold British flavours, especially those that utilise seasonal produce. This will show your passion and innovation in the kitchen.

✨Discuss Your Experience with Food Safety

Maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food safety is essential. Be ready to talk about your knowledge of food safety regulations and how you've implemented these standards in previous roles to ensure compliance.

✨Prepare Questions About Team Dynamics

Since you'll be leading a talented team, it's important to understand the dynamics of the kitchen. Prepare thoughtful questions about the current team structure, training opportunities, and how collaboration is fostered within the hotel.

Head Chef - Luxury Country House Hotel
Goldenkeys
Location: Durham
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