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- Tasks: Lead the culinary team, create seasonal menus, and ensure high standards in a vibrant kitchen.
- Company: Family-run hotel with a rich 187-year legacy, opening a re-imagined lifestyle hotel.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, training programmes, discounts, and mental health support.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the food identity of a new London landmark and inspire a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experienced Head Chef with strong leadership and culinary skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Hours: Full-time
Location: The Imperial, Bloomsbury, London
About Us:
Imperial London Hotels is a family‑run company with a 187‑year legacy, dedicated to putting authentic London experiences within everyone’s reach. In Summer 2026, we open the doors to our fully re‑imagined hotel, The Imperial – a new lifestyle offering within our portfolio.
About the Role:
As Head Chef, you will lead the culinary heartbeat of The Imperial. Our food philosophy is modern, seasonal and ingredient led beautifully presented without being fussy and always rooted in quality, provenance and thoughtful portioning. You’ll shape the hotel’s complete food offering across restaurants, room service and events, delivering dishes that feel current, photogenic and joyfully flavour forward. Your leadership will underpin a kitchen that is energised, disciplined, commercially strong and proud of what it produces every single day.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Lead menu creation across all hotel outlets with seasonal, trend aware dishes
- Maintain high standards through clear specs, allergen matrices and plate presentation
- Balance creativity and commerciality through thoughtful menu engineering
- Own the pass with pace, precision and pride
- Recruit, train and inspire a skilled, motivated team
- Build a positive, inclusive kitchen culture
- Provide ongoing coaching, skills development and clear progression
- Oversee mise en place discipline, prep plans and service sequencing
- Ensure BOH organisation that’s always guest ready
- Partner seamlessly with F&B and Guest Experience teams
- Lead HACCP, allergens, temperature logs and all due diligence
- Maintain impeccable kitchen safety, organisation and equipment care
- Liaise confidently with EHO and close corrective actions swiftly
- Own stock integrity, waste reduction and supplier negotiation
- Analyse sales mix to refine menus and grow spend per head
- Reduce food waste through prep discipline and clever specials
- Champion responsible sourcing, energy aware cooking and recycling
Who You Are:
- An experienced Head Chef from premium, high volume hotels or destination restaurants
- A natural leader with high standards and a calm, coaching style
- Deeply knowledgeable in UK food safety, allergens, HACCP and audits
- Commercially minded, analytically strong and confident with systems
- Skilled across core sections, dietary adaptations and modern culinary trends
- Supported by formal culinary qualifications and food safety certifications
What’s In It for You:
- 28 days holiday, rising to 33 with length of service (including bank holidays)
- Access to ILH Training Academy programmes, apprenticeships and supported study
- Holiday Purchase Scheme
- Complimentary uniform dry cleaning, plus discounted personal dry cleaning
- Interest free Season Ticket Loan
- Workplace Pension
- Team member flat rate and 50% friends and family hotel discount
- 50% discount across ILH F&B outlets
- Discounted drinks at Blooms Café
- Employee funded Health Cash Plan
- Local Bloomsbury discounts
- Early Pay access
- Shopping discounts with selected retailers
- Salary sacrifice schemes including nursery care, cycle to work and technology
- Access to mental health first aiders, wellbeing support and the Employee Assistance Programme
Ready to Help Shape the Future of Imperial?
If you’re driven by culinary excellence and eager to define the food identity of a newly transformed London landmark, we’d love to hear from you.
Head Chef - The Imperial Hotel in London employer: Imperial London Hotels
Contact Detail:
Imperial London Hotels Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - The Imperial Hotel in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, industry contacts, or even friends who might know someone at The Imperial. A personal connection can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you can, organise a tasting session or pop-up event showcasing your signature dishes. This not only highlights your creativity but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for interviews by researching The Imperial’s food philosophy and current trends. Bring ideas for seasonal menus that align with their vision. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but genuinely invested in their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at The Imperial and ready to contribute to its exciting future.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - The Imperial Hotel in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for culinary arts shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you in the kitchen. We want to see your personality and how it aligns with our modern, seasonal food philosophy.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; dive into the details! Talk about the types of dishes you've created, your leadership style, and how you've maintained high standards in your kitchens. This helps us understand how you can contribute to The Imperial's culinary team.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Head Chef role at The Imperial. Highlight your experience with menu creation, team leadership, and your knowledge of food safety. We’re looking for someone who can bring our vision to life, so show us how you fit!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our family-run company!
How to prepare for a job interview at Imperial London Hotels
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with seasonal ingredients and current culinary trends. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate these into the menu at The Imperial, showcasing your creativity while maintaining quality and provenance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your coaching style and how you foster a positive, inclusive culture, as this is crucial for the role of Head Chef.
✨Understand the Business Side
Brush up on your knowledge of menu engineering and how to balance creativity with commerciality. Be prepared to discuss how you would analyse sales mix and refine menus to grow spend per head.
✨Safety First
Demonstrate your deep understanding of UK food safety regulations, HACCP, and allergen management. Be ready to explain how you ensure kitchen safety and organisation, as well as how you handle audits and corrective actions.