Senior Head Chef

Senior Head Chef

Cheltenham Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and oversee daily operations in multiple casual dining outlets.
  • Company: Join the iconic Harrods, home to celebrity chefs and exclusive dining experiences.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, sociable hours, 33 days leave, and generous discounts.
  • Why this job: Make culinary magic in a world-class environment and inspire a passionate team.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in high-end hospitality and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of diversity and growth with excellent career development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Overview

Senior Head Chef — We are currently looking for a Senior Head Chef to manage a cluster of informal, casual dining outlets as part of our award-winning Restaurants and Kitchens team. Here at Harrods, we currently house more celebrity chefs, exclusive dining brands and unique food halls than any other location in the UK. As a Senior Head Chef, you will be joining a passionate and supportive dining team, all within our iconic Knightsbridge store.

About the Role

As Senior Head Chef, you’ll oversee daily kitchen operations across multiple outlets, ensuring smooth and professional service at all times. You’ll be responsible for setting daily production levels, maintaining food quality and safety, and managing a high-performing team. Your leadership will flex between coaching and directive, also building effective relationships across the wider business with Restaurants, Food Safety, Distribution and HR.

Driving key KPIs in margins, stock control, waste, and labour efficiency are integral to the role of Senior Head Chef, alongside leading menu innovation and delivering a world-class dining experience.

About You

You bring a proven track record in high-end hospitality, having led large, high volume kitchens. You’re as confident with business strategy as you are with culinary excellence, balancing creativity with a commercial mindset to drive profitability and operational success. Your leadership style fosters a culture of mentorship, accountability, and excellence, inspiring teams to consistently deliver at the highest level.

You’ll also have:

  • Proficiency in overseeing kitchen operations across multiple outlets
  • Strong organisational, interpersonal, and time-management skills
  • Good PC literacy (MS Word & Excel, and SAP)
  • A customer-first mindset at all times
  • Good attention to detail (evidence through paperwork completed, organisation of outlets, and sufficient stock levels)
  • Excellent business acumen – able to drive profitability and shape a path towards continued success

About Us

As the world’s leading luxury retail emporium, we make the impossible possible, and our hospitality offer is evolving and expanding rapidly across our stores. We are a welcoming and close-knit family who are passionate about food and beverage and aim to craft dining experiences that are the highlight of our customers’ visits.

Our Promise to You

Help us make the impossible possible for our customers and we’ll do something remarkable for you. As well as offering a friendly environment to inspire your best work, we provide abundant opportunities and support to build an exceptional career across the varied specialisms of our business.

In return for your hard work as a Senior Head Chef, you’ll receive some great benefits including:

  • Competitive annual salary plus annual bonus
  • Sociable working hours
  • 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), plus your birthday off
  • Up to 33% in-store discount, plus savings across several high street brands
  • Generous pension
  • Great learning and development opportunities to help further your career

Uniquely You

At Harrods we believe the personality and authenticity of our people sets us apart. We celebrate and invite applications from all cultures, backgrounds, tastes, and experiences and are proud of our culture where people from all walks of life can grow and thrive. What makes you unique makes us exceptional.

While our job adverts outline the ideal qualities, skills, and prior experience for the role, we believe in the potential for growth and value individual strengths. If you do not meet every desired criteria but feel you have the skills and experience to thrive in this role as well as a genuine interest in working for Harrods and you can demonstrate an alignment with our values, we would encourage you to apply.

If you want to know more about our people and our culture, search #TogetherHarrods on LinkedIn, Facebook or follow us on Instagram @togetherharrods

Additional Information

Time Type: Permanent

Department: Restaurants (Faye Morris)

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Senior Head Chef employer: Harrods

At Harrods, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture that fosters creativity and excellence. As a Senior Head Chef in our iconic Knightsbridge location, you will enjoy competitive benefits, including sociable hours, generous annual leave, and extensive career development opportunities, all while working alongside a passionate team dedicated to crafting unforgettable dining experiences. Join us and be part of a close-knit family that celebrates individuality and encourages personal growth in the heart of luxury retail.
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Contact Detail:

Harrods Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Head Chef

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, attend industry events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for a Senior Head Chef role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or a pop-up kitchen to showcase your culinary creations. This not only highlights your talent but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Research the company culture! Before applying, dive into Harrods’ values and mission. Tailor your approach to show how your leadership style and culinary vision align with their goals. It’s all about making that connection!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from passionate candidates. Make sure to highlight your experience in high-end hospitality and your knack for driving profitability. Let’s make the impossible possible together!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Head Chef

Kitchen Operations Management
Leadership Skills
Culinary Excellence
Business Strategy
Menu Innovation
Profitability Analysis
Stock Control
Waste Management
Labour Efficiency
Organisational Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Time Management
PC Literacy (MS Word & Excel, SAP)
Attention to Detail
Customer Service Orientation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and hospitality shine through. Share your culinary journey and what drives you to create exceptional dining experiences. We want to see your personality and passion!

Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Senior Head Chef, your leadership style is key. Make sure to showcase your experience in managing teams and how you've inspired others in high-pressure environments. We’re looking for someone who can motivate and mentor their team!

Be Specific About Your Achievements: Use concrete examples to demonstrate your success in previous roles. Whether it’s improving kitchen efficiency or driving profitability, we want to hear about the impact you’ve made. Numbers and results speak volumes!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join our amazing team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Harrods

✨Know Your Culinary Numbers

As a Senior Head Chef, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of key performance indicators like margins and stock control. Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss how you've driven profitability in previous roles.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare to talk about your leadership approach. Think of examples where you've successfully mentored your team or improved kitchen operations. Highlight how you balance coaching with directive leadership to inspire excellence.

✨Demonstrate Your Menu Innovation Skills

Be ready to discuss your experience with menu development and innovation. Share specific examples of how you've created unique dining experiences that align with customer preferences while maintaining high food quality.

✨Familiarise Yourself with the Brand

Research Harrods and its dining offerings thoroughly. Understand their values and what makes them unique in the luxury retail space. This will help you align your answers with their culture and show genuine interest in being part of their team.

Senior Head Chef
Harrods
Location: Cheltenham

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