Head Chef

Joining Meliá is to embark on a journey without borders, where your potential to grow, develop, and inspire has no limits. It's knowing that the world is yours — with opportunities to build your career across destinations worldwide — all while being part of one warm, supportive, and passionate family.

About Meliá Hotels International

Meliá Hotels International is one of the world’s leading hotel companies, with a presence across more than 40 countries and a portfolio of over 350 hotels worldwide. Joining Meliá means becoming part of a truly international hospitality group, with opportunities to grow and develop your career across the UK and destinations around the world.

What's in it for you?

• 29 days' holiday including 8 public holidays
• Contributory pension scheme
• Refer-a-Friend bonus (£500 subject to successfully completed 6 months' probation)
• Discounted dental and health cover through HSF
• Exclusive hotel rates and travel discounts for you, your friends and family at Meliá Hotels Worldwide
• Food & Beverage discounts at participating outlets
• Personal development programmes with unlimited access to Meliá's online learning platform
• Career growth opportunities with access to a network of over 350 hotels worldwide, subject to local right-to-work requirements
• High-street discounts through Perks at Work
• My MeliáRewards – access to our exclusive loyalty programme and its unique benefits
• My MeliáBenefits – flexible compensation and exclusive discounts across a wide range of products and services

Mission

As Head Chef, you will work alongside the Executive Chef to lead and oversee the kitchen operations at STK Steakhouse, ME London, ensuring the highest standards of food quality, presentation, service, team performance and compliance with safety and brand standards. You will provide strong culinary leadership, combining creativity, operational expertise and people management to deliver exceptional dining experiences. You will also play a key role in recruiting, developing and inspiring the kitchen team while ensuring operational and financial objectives are achieved.

Key Responsibilities – Operational Excellence

• Lead and oversee the day-to-day kitchen operation, ensuring consistently high standards across all areas.
• Manage the food preparation process, guaranteeing consistency, quality and presentation in every dish.
• Develop and maintain recipes and kitchen standards, ensuring accurate costings and adherence to agreed procedures.
• Implement clear guidelines and procedures for kitchen operations and ensure all chefs understand and comply with expectations.
• Lead the recruitment, training, mentoring and development of kitchen staff to build a motivated and high-performing team.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback and identifying development opportunities.
• Maintain consistent food quality and presentation standards in line with guest expectations and the reputation of STK Steakhouse.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene and relevant legislation, maintaining the highest operational standards.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with other hotel departments to ensure seamless operations and alignment on shared business objectives.
• Manage food costs, inventory and budgets, ensuring financial targets are achieved or exceeded.
• Monitor kitchen performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Support the Executive Chef in achieving the restaurant's culinary, operational and commercial objectives.

What we're looking for

• Culinary Arts Degree/Diploma and Food Safety Level 4 certification.
• Proven experience in a senior kitchen leadership role within a high-volume, quality-focused kitchen environment.
• Strong culinary leadership skills with the ability to lead, motivate and develop kitchen teams.
• Proven ability to maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene and relevant legislation.
• Experience managing food costs, inventory and budgets.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A responsible, innovative and creative culinary leader with a passion for excellence.
• Adaptable and flexible approach, with the ability to respond effectively to changing business needs.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues across the hotel.
• A positive and approachable mentor and people leader who inspires and develops others.
• Flexibility to meet business needs, including weekend availability.
• Physical ability to move effectively across kitchen areas during shifts.

Because belonging to the great Meliá family is being VIP. At Meliá, our people are at the heart of everything we do. From entry-level roles to senior leadership, everyone contributes something unique. We are all Very Inspiring People, connected by passion, warmth and a commitment to creating exceptional experiences. Joining Meliá means becoming part of a global family where you can grow, develop and create your future.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Meliá Hotels International is committed to equal opportunities between women and men in the workplace and to creating an inclusive and respectful working environment. We celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion, avoiding any form of discrimination, including discrimination based on disability, race, religion, gender or age. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our employees are essential to our success as a global company. We are also committed to the sustainable growth of our industry through a socially responsible team. Our approach is reflected in our commitment to: “Towards a sustainable future, from a responsible present.” Eligibility to work in the UK is required.