Head Chef - Wainwrights Inn in Ambleside

Job Title

Head Chef - Wainwrights Inn

Contract Type

Full-Time, Permanent

Hours

39 hours per week

Live-in accommodation may be available for exceptional candidates.

This role is based on-site at Langdale Hotel and Spa, Ambleside, LA22 9JD.

Role Summary

To lead the culinary operation of the standalone country pub, with full accountability for food quality, compliance, and financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership
• Design and deliver seasonal pub menu, with a focus on both quality and volume.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety Management System.
• Collaborate with Front of House team to ensure seamless guest experiences.
• Training and Development
• Lead and train the kitchen team on Food Safety Management System requirements, ensuring completion of all mandatory compliance training.
• Ensure training materials, kitchen documents and policies are displayed and up to date.
• Ensure the team are trained on and follow menu specification sheets.
• Team Leadership and Management
• Lead recruitment and onboarding in collaboration with People Team.
• Conduct regular team briefings and reviews.
• Coach the team on kitchen standards and professional development.
• Financial and Commercial Management
• Responsible for departmental P&L, including revenue generation, cost control and profitability.
• Manage labour costs through rota planning in line with budget.
• Identify opportunities to increase average spend, upsell performance, and outlet efficiency.
• Inventory and Operational Control
• Manage physical inventory and supplier relationships.
• Use industry standard procurement systems to ensure accuracy and accountability for food costs and wastage.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, stock rotation, and waste reduction strategies.
• Support the Food and Beverage Management Team in maintaining cost targets and stock integrity.
• Compliance and Standards
• Ensure F&B operations comply with health & safety, licensing, and food hygiene regulations.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to maintain 5-star standards.
• Create, implement and maintain recipes and specification sheets.
• Support sustainability initiatives including local sourcing.
• Key Performance Indicators
• Gross Profit (GP) Margin
• Staff Retention Rate
• Customer Satisfaction
• Food Quality & Consistency
• Kitchen Hygiene & Safety
• Our Ideal Candidate
• Operational Excellence: Delivers high quality, high‑volume seasonal menus while ensuring full compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.
• People Leadership: Trains, coaches, and retains a high‑performing kitchen team, maintaining clear standards and up‑to‑date training materials.
• Cross‑Team Collaboration: Works closely with Front of House and F&B leadership to create seamless guest experiences and uphold 5‑star operational standards.
• Financial & Commercial Acumen: Manages P&L, controls labour and food costs, and identifies opportunities to boost revenue, efficiency, and GP margin.
• Inventory & Procurement Control: Oversees stock management, supplier relationships, procurement systems, and waste‑reduction strategies to maintain cost integrity.
• Quality, Consistency & Sustainability: Maintains recipe/specification accuracy, drives food quality and consistency, supports sustainability initiatives, and meets key KPIs.

What We Offer

• Be our guest with a yearly complimentary stay in our Langdale hotel, B&B rate for one night.
• Get fit for free with complimentary access to our Fitness and Leisure Facilities.
• Get fed for free with meals available in our staff canteen.
• Get recognised with a chance to win cash prizes through Guest Nominations and for colleagues voting you a Langdale Superstar.
• Get a bonus of up to £300.00 with out Refer a Friend scheme.
• Get support with access to our confidential and impartial Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supported by our team of trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Get it for less with staff discounts in Wainwrights Inn, Brimstone Spa, Brimstone Hotel and Stove Restaurant alongside external discounts such as Kendal Physio, Windermere cruises and B&Q trade.
• Get security after 6 months of service, you will gain enhanced Sick Pay and Life cover up to twice your salary.
• Equal Opportunity Employer

Langdale is an equal opportunity employer.

We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

We're committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where unique backgrounds, perspectives, and talents flourish.

Our dedication to diversity fuels innovation, ensuring we remain at the forefront of our industry.

Join us and be a part of a team that celebrates differences, creating a brighter, more diverse future together.

Working conditions

This role is based on-site at Langdale Hotel and Spa, Ambleside, LA22 9JD.

Staff accommodation or relocation support may be available for exceptional candidates.

All candidates must have the legal right to live and work in the UK at the start of employment.

Company overview

Set in the heart of the English Lake District and surrounded by breath-taking scenery the Langdale Estate offers a choice of luxury hotel, self-catering and timeshare accommodation, spa experiences and therapies, restaurant, and bar.

At Langdale we pride ourselves on giving our guests an exceptional service and so we want people who want to make a difference, who care about creating a guest experience that is unique and memorable.

• Purpose, vision & values
• Timeshare owners and Guests should be at the centre of everything that we do.
• Our people are important, and we should aim to do our very best by them at all times.
• It is incumbent upon us all to ensure that the business is sustainable so that it can deliver the owners needs and ensure that our people prosper.
• The natural environment and our communities are central to our thinking at all times.
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