At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented kitchen team to create exceptional culinary experiences for guests.
- Company: Join Hand Picked Hotels, a family-owned luxury hotel group in beautiful Kent.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and wellness support.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team culture with ongoing training and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on guest experiences while developing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in high-performing kitchens and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 55000 £ per year.
Location: Longfield, Kent, DA3 8NQ
Salary: £55,000 per annum + service charge + excellent colleague benefits
Job Type: Full-time | Permanent | 5 days out of 7
Come and join our Team… We are currently seeking an enthusiastic Head Chef at Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa, part of Hand Picked Hotels. Tucked away in the scenic Kent countryside, yet just moments from London, Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa offers a workplace where heritage and genuine hospitality come together. Joining our team means being part of a venue known for delivering exceptional conferences, executive retreats, and unforgettable occasions.
As a member of our team, you’ll help create unforgettable moments for guests as they explore our tranquil grounds, celebrate special events, and enjoy our personalised service, with an emphasis on service, excellence & consistency. If you’re passionate about hospitality, thrive in a supportive environment, and enjoy making a real difference to someone’s stay, Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa offers an inspiring place to grow your career.
What will the role involve? The role of Head Chef at Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa involves leading the delivery of an exceptional culinary experience for guests, ensuring that all menus reflect creativity, quality, and seasonal diversity. The Head Chef will design and oversee dishes that complement the hotel’s luxury offering, provide expert leadership in the kitchen and maintain outstanding standards of presentation and flavour. As Head Chef your role will focus on supporting and developing the culinary team through training, guidance, and inspirational leadership. Responsibilities include managing kitchen operations, maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, monitoring stock and costs, and creating bespoke menus across the hotel’s outlets that enhance the overall guest experience and uphold the hotel’s reputation for excellence in luxury hospitality.
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.
What’s in it for you?
- A competitive salary of £55,000 plus a share of service charge.
- A welcoming, inclusive culture where long-term friendships and diversity are celebrated.
- Ongoing career development with in-house and external training, including apprenticeships and industry-recognised courses.
- 28 days holiday per year including bank holidays, increasing to 33 days including bank holidays with length of service.
- Uniform and meals on shift provided.
- Complimentary spa and gym access (*where available, restrictions apply at some venues).
- Free onsite parking (where applicable).
- Access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
- Company pension, enhanced sick pay & Life assurance scheme.
- Online retail discount platform offering thousands of savings with high street retailers and restaurants as well as a health and well-being platform.
- Discounted stays in our hotels and on food, drink, spa treatments & products.
- Annual loyalty awards (like afternoon teas and overnight stays).
- Introduction bonus for new colleague recommendations.
- Colleague of the Month awards, which leads to our annual awards ceremony.
- Regular team gatherings and appreciation events.
Are you Hand Picked? We are looking for active and enthusiastic candidates that have a willing attitude and a welcoming and friendly nature. We work as a team to ensure our hotel operates smoothly and our guests are receiving a high-quality, personalised, and magical experience that they remember, recommend and return to time and time again. You will have significant experience leading high-performing professional kitchens, ideally supported by advanced culinary or hospitality qualifications. As an Executive Head Chef, you will demonstrate exceptional leadership, strategic kitchen management, and a strong commitment to culinary excellence and innovation. You will bring outstanding organisational and operational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a genuine passion for delivering exceptional food and hospitality experiences while mentoring and developing your team. We want people that are passionate, showing the ability to go above and beyond naturally, that take pride in delivering consistently high standards and pay attention to all the details, with a focus on service, excellent and consistency as the everyday.
Who we are… Hand Picked Hotels was founded in 2001 by owner and Chairman, Julia Hands MBE, and today still remains a family-owned group which has 21 unique 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. Dedicated to creating unique and enchanting stays, curated personalised service runs through the heart of every hotel. Whilst each hotel is individual, each property fulfils the company values of family, individuality, community and care, with a team commitment to aiming higher and delight their guests with magical experiences that offer a true escape from the every day. Hand Picked Hotels are committed to protecting the environment for a sustainable future, and all of our hotels have received the ‘Green Tourism’ accreditation. A Recognition of our progress in reducing energy use and waste, supporting biodiversity, and sourcing responsibly from local and ethical partners.
Apply Today If you're an experienced Head Chef looking to work in a luxury hotel, take the next step in your career with Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa and apply now. Hand Picked Hotels is an Equal Opportunities employer. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Head Chef employer: HandPickedHotels
Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa, nestled in the picturesque Kent countryside, offers an exceptional work environment where heritage and hospitality converge. As a Head Chef, you will thrive in a supportive culture that celebrates diversity and fosters long-term friendships, while enjoying competitive benefits such as ongoing career development, generous holiday allowances, and access to wellness support. Join us to create unforgettable culinary experiences and grow your career in a luxury setting that values excellence and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who might know someone at Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you can, bring a sample of your signature dish to the interview or share a portfolio of your best creations. This not only showcases your talent but also gives them a taste of what you can bring to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your leadership style! As a Head Chef, they’ll want to know how you inspire and develop your team. Think of examples where you’ve turned a struggling kitchen into a high-performing one – this will really impress them!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Hand Picked Hotels family. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for culinary excellence shine through. Share specific experiences that highlight your love for food and hospitality, and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head Chef role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in leading high-performing kitchens, and don’t forget to mention any advanced culinary qualifications you have!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Be personal, be engaging, and make sure to connect your skills and experiences to what we’re looking for at Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at HandPickedHotels
✨Know Your Culinary Vision
Before the interview, think about your culinary philosophy and how it aligns with the hotel's focus on creativity and quality. Be ready to discuss your approach to menu design and how you can enhance the guest experience through innovative dishes.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, your leadership will be crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past, focusing on training, mentoring, and fostering a positive work environment. Highlight any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to inspire others.
✨Understand the Brand
Research Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa and its unique offerings. Familiarise yourself with their values and the type of experiences they aim to create for guests. This knowledge will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions about kitchen operations, supplier relationships, and cost management. Think of scenarios where you've successfully managed these aspects in previous roles. Being able to articulate your strategies will demonstrate your readiness for the responsibilities of the Head Chef position.
