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- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team to create exceptional dining experiences and innovate menus.
- Company: Join Hand Picked Hotels, a collection of luxury country houses with stunning locations.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, and discounts on stays and dining.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative culinary team in a beautiful setting, making guests' experiences unforgettable.
- Qualifications: Experience in luxury fine dining and a passion for coaching and developing teams.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and training, plus a supportive and inclusive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Hand Picked Hotels is a beautiful collection of 21 privately owned, luxury country houses and coastal retreats, each hand picked for their individuality. Architecturally distinctive and quintessentially British, every hotel boasts an extraordinary location, from Scotland to the Channel Islands, offering breathtaking views, from vast countryside to expansive beaches, to lush woodlands. With every need taken care of, the team at each hotel ensures every guest has a magical experience, encouraging them to return time and time again.
We are currently recruiting for a Head Chef at Rhinefield House Hotel & Spa, part of Hand Picked Hotels. Known locally as the 'Jewel in the Forest', Rhinefield House is an award-winning luxury hotel steeped in natural beauty, hidden deep within the New Forest National Park. Rhinefield House is proud to be the only AA four red star hotel in the New Forest. The hotel has 50 bedrooms, including three feature suites, an outdoor pool, a small health suite and a 2 AA Rosette fine dining restaurant & bar. It is a popular wedding and Afternoon Tea venue with beautiful gardens and grounds.
About the Role
The role of a Head Chef is to be responsible for ensuring that the Kitchen Brigade consistently delivers exceptional food & service, putting the guest at the heart of all activities. You will be leading the team in the effective delivery of department goals, planning and organising work activities, seeking to continuously improve ways of working and engaging the team to do the same. Our Head Chefs have the opportunity to innovate and develop their menus with their own distinctive style, inspiring your team and our guests alike. Maintaining a safe, healthy and secure workplace environment, following all work protocols and engaging the team with training initiatives. Building effective relationships to create a positive learning environment will be a key requirement to ensure the success of the department. Making clear, confident decisions will be second nature to you, consulting with others where needed. Leading menu development and having a good understanding of business financials including labour costs, forecasting and budgets. Most of all we will want you to be inspired, have fun and enjoy being part of our Passionate Hand Picked Team.
About you
Previous experience in a similar luxury, fine dining, multi-outlet hotel is essential. Proven experience of managing, coaching and developing teams, and you will enjoy motivating others to be their best, achieve their goals and fulfil their potential. Delivering outstanding food & service will be your passion and motivation. You will be excellent at building a rapport with colleagues and guests. Most of all, you will have a professional, organised and friendly approach. Your knowledge of food will be vast, and your finger will be on the culinary pulse of the latest food trends. Emotional Intelligence is an important part of being a Head Chef within Hand Picked Hotels, so you will display this at all times and constantly practice self-improvement.
Company Benefits
- A highly competitive salary package plus a share of service charge.
- This is a Full-Time role working 5 days out of 7 including weekends on a rota basis, 45 hours per week, which may vary depending on business needs.
- Company pension scheme with a generous employer contribution.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Employee Assistance Program to support you with whatever life throws at you.
- Company Sickness Scheme Benefit.
- 28 days holiday per year including bank holidays, increasing to 33 days including bank holidays with length of service.
- Forward career progression, with access to our In House and external training programs, including apprenticeships up to level 7, which are all supported by our learning and development team.
- £30 staff stays with Hand Picked Hotels per room Bed & Breakfast & 25% discount on all food & drink.
- Annual loyalty awards (like afternoon teas and overnight stays).
- Online retail discount platform offering thousands of savings with high street retailers and restaurants as well as a health and well-being platform.
- Opportunity to make lifelong friendships and be part of a team that celebrates Diversity and Inclusion.
Hand Picked Hotels is an Equal Opportunities employer. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Head Chef in Brockenhurst employer: Hand Picked Hotels Ltd
Contact Detail:
Hand Picked Hotels Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Brockenhurst
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the hotel and its vibe! Before your interview, spend some time researching Rhinefield House and Hand Picked Hotels. Understand their values and what makes them unique. This way, you can tailor your conversation to show how you fit right in with their culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary creativity! When you get the chance, share your ideas for menu innovations or how you’ve successfully led a kitchen team in the past. This will demonstrate your passion for food and your ability to inspire others, which is key for a Head Chef role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about teamwork! Since building relationships is crucial, think of examples where you’ve motivated your team or resolved conflicts. This will highlight your emotional intelligence and leadership skills, making you stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the hotel’s culinary direction or team dynamics. This shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Brockenhurst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your culinary journey and what inspires you in the kitchen. We want to see your personality and passion for creating exceptional dining experiences.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head Chef role. Highlight your experience in luxury, fine dining environments and any unique contributions you've made in previous positions. We appreciate a personal touch that reflects our values!
Be Clear About Your Leadership Style: As a Head Chef, your ability to lead and inspire a team is crucial. In your application, describe your leadership approach and how you've successfully motivated teams in the past. We’re looking for someone who can create a positive and engaging kitchen environment.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our Hand Picked family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hand Picked Hotels Ltd
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Before the interview, brush up on the latest food trends and techniques. Be ready to discuss your favourite ingredients and how you incorporate them into your dishes. This shows your passion for food and keeps you in tune with what guests might expect.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed and motivated a kitchen team in the past. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire others, which is crucial for the Head Chef role.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with basic financial concepts like labour costs, forecasting, and budgeting. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed these aspects in previous roles. This knowledge will show that you can not only create amazing dishes but also run a successful kitchen.
✨Be Yourself and Connect
During the interview, let your personality shine through. Hand Picked Hotels values individuality, so don’t be afraid to share your unique culinary style and approach. Building rapport with the interviewers can make a lasting impression and show that you’re a great fit for their team.
