At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the culinary direction and create seasonal menus for a boutique hotel.
- Company: Ambitious independent hotel near Canterbury with a focus on quality dining.
- Benefits: Earn £55,000 plus monthly service charge, with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with influence over restaurant dining, weddings, and events.
- Why this job: Shape the food experience in a beautiful coastal setting and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven culinary leadership experience and strong menu development skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 59800 £ per year.
Earn £55,000 plus £300-£400 monthly service charge at a boutique hotel near Canterbury. Are you an accomplished culinary leader ready to shape the complete food direction of an ambitious hospitality business? This Executive Chef opportunity near Canterbury offers strategic and creative ownership across restaurant dining, bedrooms, weddings and private events.
What's in it for you?
- £55,000 basic salary
- Approximately £300-£400 service charge per month
- Total annual package worth approximately £58,600-£59,800
- Permanent, full-time position
- Complete influence over the culinary direction of the business
- Fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers
- A varied operation covering restaurant dining, weddings and events
- A beautiful coastal countryside setting near Canterbury
- The opportunity to build and develop the senior kitchen leadership team
- A highly influential role within an ambitious independent business
Your new role
As Executive Chef, you'll take strategic responsibility for the complete culinary operation. Based near Canterbury, you'll oversee the 20-bedroom hotel kitchen while supporting the Head Chef and wider brigade across daily dining, breakfast, Sunday lunch, afternoon tea, weddings and private functions. The business is highly seasonal and event-led, so you'll ensure menus, staffing, purchasing and kitchen systems are structured around changing demand and busy periods.
You will:
- Define and develop the overall food strategy
- Lead, mentor and support the senior kitchen team
- Create seasonal menus using quality local produce
- Maintain excellent food quality, presentation and consistency
- Oversee restaurant, wedding and event food delivery
- Set and manage food GP, labour and kitchen budgets
- Drive purchasing, supplier relationships and waste reduction
- Recruit, retain and develop the kitchen brigade
- Introduce effective systems, standards and procedures
- Maintain excellent food safety, HACCP and allergen compliance
- Work closely with the owners and operational leadership team
- Strengthen the venue's reputation as a dining and events destination
What we're looking for
The successful Executive Chef will have proven senior culinary leadership experience within a quality hotel, restaurant or event-led venue. You'll also need:
- Strong seasonal menu-development skills
- Experience overseeing restaurant dining, weddings and events
- Excellent commercial awareness and financial control
- Confidence managing food GP, labour, stock and purchasing
- Experience mentoring Head Chefs and senior kitchen leaders
- The ability to plan around seasonal peaks and quieter periods
- A hands-on, visible and supportive leadership style
- Strong recruitment and team-development experience
- Excellent food-safety and allergen knowledge
- Creativity balanced with consistency and commercial discipline
- The existing right to work in the UK
Experienced Head Chefs who are ready to move into a broader strategic leadership position are also encouraged to apply. If this Executive Chef role near Canterbury sounds like the right opportunity for you, apply today.
Please contact Bradley Baxendale at Platinum Recruitment for more information.
Executive Chef in Kent employer: Platinum Recruitment Consultancy
Join our welcoming hotel in Wick as a Housekeeper, where you'll enjoy competitive pay of up to £15 per hour, weekly pay, and the convenience of live-in accommodation. Our supportive work culture prioritises flexibility with daytime shifts and offers opportunities for permanent positions, making it an ideal environment for those seeking meaningful employment in hospitality.
Contact Details:
Platinum Recruitment Consultancy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Chef in Kent
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Platinum Recruitment Consultancy. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Platinum Recruitment Consultancy
Don't be shy about reaching out to Platinum Recruitment Consultancy directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Chef in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Platinum Recruitment Consultancy and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Platinum Recruitment Consultancy
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
