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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create seasonal menus that wow our guests.
- Company: Join Cairn Group, a leading UK hospitality company with over 60 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy real-time pay, discounts, bonuses, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in hospitality while developing your culinary leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef with a passion for quality food.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values respect, integrity, and excellence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Hospitality Starts Here – Build Your Future with Cairn Group. Are you ready to grow your career in hospitality? At Cairn Group, we believe work should be rewarding, exciting, and full of opportunities to learn and develop. Whether you're creating unforgettable guest experiences or supporting your team, you'll be part of a friendly, supportive environment where your contributions are valued. With the opportunity to learn, develop, and be recognised, Cairn is a place where you can build a career you're proud of.
About the Role: At Cairn Group, we’re proud to deliver best-in-class hospitality—and that extends to the kitchen. We’re looking for a talented and motivated Head Chef to lead a dynamic kitchen team, craft thoughtful, seasonal menus, and help shape the reputation of our restaurant. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who combines culinary expertise with strong leadership and commercial awareness.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Lead the kitchen team to deliver consistently high standards of food, service, and safety.
- Create and develop menus that showcase fresh, seasonal ingredients and reflect the style and identity of the venue.
- Manage kitchen operations including rota planning, ordering, stock control, and supplier relationships.
- Ensure all compliance with food hygiene, health & safety, and HACCP protocols.
- Control costs and drive profitability through smart menu planning, waste reduction, and labour management.
- Foster a positive team culture, encouraging learning, development, and performance improvement.
- Work closely with front-of-house and senior management to ensure seamless service and an exceptional guest experience.
About You: You’re an experienced Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef with a passion for fresh, quality food and seasonal cooking. You bring creative flair alongside commercial focus—you understand how to build menus that balance flavour and cost. You’re a confident and collaborative leader who takes pride in developing a high-performing team. You’re calm, organised, and focused under pressure, with excellent planning and communication skills. You’re financially aware, with a good understanding of P&Ls, KPIs, and cost controls.
About Us: Cairn Group is a leading UK hospitality company with over 60 years of expertise in hotel acquisition, ownership, management, investment, and development. Our journey has been shaped by successful partnerships with global brands and a commitment to creating thriving, guest-focused properties. At Cairn Group, our values - Respect, Integrity, Sustainability, and Excellence (RISE) - are at the heart of everything we do. We respect our team and guests, act with integrity, and invest in our people to build a sustainable future - for our business, our communities, and the planet. Every day, we work to deliver excellence, going the extra mile to create outstanding experiences for our guests.
Benefits:
- Service Excellence Bonus: Your hard work pays off. Service charge tips and gratuities add a well-earned boost to your pay check.
- Get Paid in Real-Time with Wagestream: Take control of your earnings. Track your pay live, access funds when needed, and get expert financial tips—all in real-time.
- Stay, Relax and Recharge: Enjoy discounted stays across all our venues. Treat yourself or bring your friends and family along for a well-earned break.
- Delicious Discounts: Indulge a little with 50% off food and drinks across our hotels, bars and restaurants.
- Spa Discounts: Self-care matters! Treat yourself with exclusive wellness offers at our spas and leisure clubs.
- Retail, Cinema & Fun Discounts: Enjoy exclusive access to savings on shopping, cinema trips and fun days out.
- Rise with Us: From apprenticeships to leadership programs, our development team is here to help you grow and reach your career goals.
- Superstar Awards: Your hard work deserves the spotlight! Each month we celebrate and reward our team members who showcase our values and bring hospitality to life.
- Long-Service Awards: Celebrate key milestones with us, starting from just one year of service—plus enjoy extra annual leave as a thank-you for your commitment.
- Recommend a Friend: Bring great people into the team and earn a bonus when they join!
- 24/7 Support: We’re committed to your wellbeing. Access our confidential Employee Assistance Programme anytime, anywhere.
- Pension Scheme: Plan for your future with our pension plan, designed to help you build long-term security.
- Year-Round Incentives: Enjoy fun incentives, exciting challenges, and surprise perks throughout the year!
- Bereavement Leave: When life gets tough, we ensure you have the time and support you need to be with your loved ones.
Head Chef in Edinburgh employer: Hotel Indigo Edinburgh Princes Street - Twenty Princes Street
Contact Detail:
Hotel Indigo Edinburgh Princes Street - Twenty Princes Street Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the hospitality industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even pop into local restaurants to chat with chefs. You never know who might have a lead on your dream Head Chef position!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! Consider hosting a pop-up event or a tasting session to showcase your menu ideas. This not only highlights your creativity but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply—engage! When you find a job listing that excites you, reach out directly to the hiring manager or team. A quick message expressing your enthusiasm can set you apart from the crowd and show you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning and adapting! Stay updated on the latest culinary trends and techniques. Whether it’s through online courses or workshops, showing that you’re committed to growth will make you a more attractive candidate for that Head Chef role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for fresh, quality food shine through. Share your culinary journey and what inspires your menu creations—this is your chance to show us why you're the perfect fit for our kitchen!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, leading a team is key. Make sure to include examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. We want to see how you foster a positive culture and encourage development among your staff.
Be Clear About Your Experience: Don’t hold back on your experience! Detail your previous roles, especially if you've worked in similar environments. Mention any specific achievements or challenges you've overcome that demonstrate your ability to deliver high standards.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join the Cairn Group family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hotel Indigo Edinburgh Princes Street - Twenty Princes Street
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, take time to research and understand the types of dishes that Cairn Group values. Be ready to discuss your ideas for seasonal menus and how you can incorporate fresh ingredients. This shows your passion for quality food and your ability to innovate.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Cairn Group is looking for a confident leader. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Talk about how you foster a positive team culture and encourage development among your staff. This will demonstrate your alignment with their values.
✨Understand the Business Side
Brush up on your knowledge of P&Ls, KPIs, and cost controls. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve managed kitchen operations effectively, controlled costs, and driven profitability through smart menu planning. This will highlight your commercial awareness.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about handling pressure and maintaining high standards. Think of specific scenarios where you’ve had to manage challenges in the kitchen, such as staffing issues or unexpected supply shortages. This will show your calmness and organisational skills under pressure.
