Head Chef in London

Hotel Indigo London Clerkenwell is looking for a dynamic and commercially minded Head Chef to lead the culinary vision across three exciting food and drink destinations — all connected by one carefully crafted menu concept, while working alongside an experienced Executive Chef. Located in the heart of Clerkenwell, one of London's most creative and design-led neighbourhoods, our hotel combines contemporary style with strong local character. The property features 168 beautifully designed guestrooms alongside three unique hospitality spaces:

• The Hat & Feathers– our iconic Grade II listed pub, rooted in British heritage and neighbourhood energy
• Sabini Bar & Lounge– a relaxed, stylish social space for cocktails, small plates, and all-day dining
• Wilderness Restaurant– our signature restaurant concept delivering elevated dining with personality and flair

This is a rare opportunity for a Head Chef to help shape a food offering that flows seamlessly across all three venues through one versatile, innovative menu— designed to maximise creativity, consistency, operational efficiency, and guest appeal.

The Role

As Head Chef, you will work closely with both the General Manager and Executive Chef to bring our food identity to life across the entire hotel operation. You'll lead the kitchen brigade with passion and energy, creating dishes that can adapt effortlessly between premium dining, relaxed lounge service, and classic pub experiences — without compromising on quality or individuality.

We are looking for someone who understands how to:

• Create a strong, commercially successful menu strategy across multiple outlets
• Deliver consistency while allowing each venue to retain its own personality
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Chef on concept development, menu innovation, and standards
• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing kitchen team
• Balance creativity with operational efficiency and GP targets
• Build a food destination that becomes known within Clerkenwell's vibrant hospitality scene

What We're Looking For

You'll be:

• A passionate and confident kitchen leader
• Experienced in multi-outlet or lifestyle hotel operations
• Strong in menu engineering and kitchen organisation
• Comfortable collaborating within a senior culinary leadership structure
• Calm under pressure with excellent people management skills
• Hands-on, proactive, and highly collaborative
• Focused on quality, standards, and guest experience at every level

Most importantly, you'll bring originality, energy, and vision.

What We Offer

• £55,000 – £60,000 per annum
• Permanent, full-time contract (40 hours per week)
• The opportunity to help shape and launch a unique multi-concept food offering
• Creative support and mentorship from an experienced Executive Chef
• Career development within a growing hospitality group
• A chance to build something truly special in one of London's most exciting neighbourhoods

If you're ready to lead a kitchen that combines heritage pub culture, contemporary lounge dining, and destination restaurant experiences under one innovative food vision — we'd love to hear from you. You must have the right to work in the UK to be eligible for this role. Documented evidence of eligibility will be required from all candidates prior to commencing employment.

Benefits

• Worldwide IHG employee hotel discounts, saving you up to 75% on stays across thousands of IHG properties globally.
• Exclusive Axiom Hospitality colleague discounts, including hotel rates across all Axiom properties and up to 50% off food & beverage.
• Complimentary gym membership at a nearby local gym, just a short walk from the hotel, making it easy to stay active.
• Discounts across retail, restaurants, events and more through our dedicated rewards & benefits portal.
• Free meals provided during every shift, keeping you fuelled and ready throughout your working day.
• Uniform provided at no cost, so you can start your role looking the part from day one.
• Access to Wagestream financial wellbeing platform, giving you instant access to your earned pay when you need it.
• Employee Assistance Line, offering confidential support for your mental health and overall wellbeing.
• 28 days holiday (including bank holidays), increasing with service up to 33 days.
• Yearly complimentary Axiom Xcape stayover, awarded after one year of service as a special thank you.
• Refer a friend scheme, with referral bonuses starting from £250 per successful hire.
• A growing team with real progression opportunities, supported by ongoing training, development, and promotion pathways.
• Length of service rewards, recognising loyalty at 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 years and beyond.

Opportunities for all

At Axiom Hospitality, we thrive on differences and believe it is critical to our success as a fast-growing hospitality company with global aspirations. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from various backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We, therefore, encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages, and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.

At Axiom Hospitality, we are making efforts to reduce our carbon, energy, water and waste footprint. We strive to be ethical in all we do and want to be a thriving, sustainable and responsible business for our people, our communities and our planet. Working closely with our Hotel Owners, we are committed to the journey to sustainability. In addition, we are working to reduce our hotels' impact on the environment through internationally recognised eco-label certification. Our hotels strive to be active members of their local communities by giving back where they can. Supporting local charities is important to our teams, from volunteering at soup kitchens to collecting donations and fundraising. Our hotels aim to leave a positive impact on their neighbourhoods. At Axiom Hospitality, we are working closely with our stakeholders to support our social impact commitment. Caring about people extends outside our business and is part of our DNA.