At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations, create seasonal menus, and ensure top-notch food quality.
- Company: Boutique hotel offering a refined hospitality experience in a historic setting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative freedom, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for creativity and career growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and showcase your culinary skills in an elegant setting.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in fine dining required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Horsted Place Country House Hotel is a boutique property set in a historic country house, offering an intimate and refined hospitality experience. The hotel combines traditional charm with modern comforts, attracting guests who value high-quality service, elegant surroundings, and exceptional food. Its restaurant focuses on elevated, seasonal dishes that showcase fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Team members work in a close-knit environment where attention to detail, professionalism, and guest satisfaction are central.
This is a full-time, on-site Head Chef role based at Horsted Place Country House Hotel in Uckfield. The Head Chef leads all kitchen operations, including menu planning, recipe development, and daily food preparation for breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and events. Responsibilities include managing and training the kitchen brigade, organizing staff rotas, and ensuring consistent culinary standards and timely service. The role oversees stock control, ordering, supplier relationships, and cost management to achieve food quality and profitability targets. The Head Chef also ensures compliance with food safety, hygiene, and health and safety regulations, maintains a clean and organized kitchen, and collaborates with hotel management on guest experience, special menus, and functions such as weddings and private events.
Qualifications:
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-quality hotel, country house, or fine dining environment.
- Strong culinary skills with a focus on fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients, and the ability to design appealing menus for both restaurant and events.
- Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, including training, coaching, scheduling, and motivating a diverse kitchen team.
- Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP, kitchen hygiene standards, and health and safety regulations, with a track record of maintaining high audit scores.
- Solid understanding of kitchen finance, including food cost control, waste reduction, stock management, and supplier negotiation.
- Strong organizational and time-management abilities, capable of working under pressure while maintaining consistency and quality.
- Good communication and collaboration skills, able to work effectively with front-of-house and management to deliver a seamless guest experience.
- Relevant culinary qualifications or apprenticeship training; food safety certification preferred.
- Flexibility to work varied shifts, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, in line with business needs.
- A passion for hospitality, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture.
Head Chef in Brighton employer: Horsted Place Hotel
Horsted Place Country House Hotel is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for the Head Chef to lead a dedicated kitchen team in a picturesque setting. With a strong emphasis on professional development, a supportive work culture, and a commitment to using locally sourced ingredients, employees can thrive in an environment that values creativity and culinary excellence. The hotel's intimate atmosphere fosters collaboration and ensures that every team member plays a vital role in delivering an unforgettable guest experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Brighton
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Horsted Place Hotel. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Horsted Place Hotel
Don't be shy about reaching out to Horsted Place Hotel directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Horsted Place Hotel and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Horsted Place Hotel
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
