At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented kitchen team to create seasonal, high-quality menus for our luxury hotel.
- Company: Join Hand Picked Hotels, a family-owned group known for exceptional hospitality.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and wellness support.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values creativity and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on guests' experiences in a stunning countryside setting.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in high-performing kitchens and strong leadership skills required.
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 candidate 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.
Lead Luxury Hotel Head Chef with Creative Seasonal Menus employer: HandPickedHotels
At Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a welcoming and inclusive culture, where diversity is celebrated and long-term friendships are formed. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through ongoing training opportunities, generous holiday allowances, and a range of benefits including complimentary spa access and discounts on hotel stays. Nestled in the picturesque Kent countryside yet close to London, our hotel offers a unique environment for passionate individuals to thrive in luxury hospitality while making a meaningful impact on our guests' experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Luxury Hotel Head Chef with Creative Seasonal Menus
✨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 creativity! When you get the chance to meet with the hiring team, bring along a portfolio of your best dishes or even a sample menu. This will demonstrate your passion and skills right from the start.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching the hotel’s values and recent events. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their commitment to exceptional service and culinary excellence.
✨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 being part of the Hand Picked Hotels family.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Luxury Hotel Head Chef with Creative Seasonal Menus
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for hospitality shine through! Share your love for creating exceptional culinary experiences and how you can bring that to our team at Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head Chef role. Highlight your experience in leading high-performing kitchens and any creative seasonal menus you've designed. We want to see how your skills align with our luxury offering!
Be Authentic:Don’t be afraid to show your personality in your application. We’re looking for candidates who are not just skilled but also have a welcoming and friendly nature. Let us know what makes you unique!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of joining our team, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to see your application and get you on the path to an exciting career with Hand Picked Hotels!
How to prepare for a job interview at HandPickedHotels
✨Know Your Menus Inside Out
As a Head Chef, you'll be expected to showcase your creativity and knowledge of seasonal ingredients. Make sure you research the current trends in luxury dining and prepare to discuss how you would design menus that reflect both quality and innovation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires exceptional leadership in the kitchen. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led a team, mentored junior chefs, and maintained high standards. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop others, as this is key to the hotel's ethos.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with kitchen operations, stock management, and cost control. Be prepared to discuss how you would manage these aspects effectively while still delivering an exceptional culinary experience. This shows you're not just a creative chef but also a strategic thinker.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Hospitality
The hotel values genuine hospitality and creating memorable experiences for guests. Share your passion for the industry and how you go above and beyond to ensure guest satisfaction. This will resonate well with the interviewers and align with their commitment to excellence.
