At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team across three unique sites, creating memorable dishes.
- Company: Join The Doxford Group, a distinctive hospitality leader in Northumberland.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, KPI bonus, and a healthy service charge.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the future food identity of a growing group.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food culture while celebrating local produce.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in diverse culinary environments and a passion for quality.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 60000 € per year.
The Doxford Group is looking for an exceptional Group Head Chef to lead the food direction across one of Northumberland's most distinctive hospitality Groups. This is not a desk-based role. We are looking for a chef who is on the tools, present in the kitchens, leading from the front and setting the standard every day. This is a senior leadership position, but it needs someone who still loves cooking, developing people and being close to the operation.
Our Group includes Charlton Hall, The Tempus and Doxford Barns, three closely connected sites operating with one kitchen team across multiple styles of service. We are looking for someone who can lead that team with structure, consistency, creativity and calm authority. The role will report directly to the Directors and will work closely with the General Manager of each site to ensure food quality, service standards, commercial targets and guest experience are aligned across the Group.
We want a chef with a strong desire to champion local produce, celebrate the best of Northumberland and the surrounding region, and create dishes that deliver genuine wow factor - food that guests remember, talk about and come back for. Just as importantly, this person must have a strong commercial background. They need to understand that great food and strong financial performance must work together - maintaining the Group's targets, controlling costs, protecting GP and helping the business grow profitably.
The Role
- Being hands-on in the kitchen and leading by example
- Leading, developing and motivating one kitchen team across three sites
- Reporting to the Directors on performance, standards, opportunities and challenges
- Working closely with each site General Manager to align food delivery with the wider guest experience
- Coaching chefs, raising standards and creating a stronger team culture
- Creating strong, seasonal menus built around quality local produce
- Developing dishes with creativity, theatre and wow factor
- Maintaining high standards across weddings, events, hotel dining, breakfasts, private dining and functions
- Bringing consistency across different service styles while keeping each offer appropriate to its setting
- Maintaining the Group's food targets, margins and commercial expectations
- Controlling food GP, wastage, ordering, stock, labour awareness and supplier relationships
- Building strong relationships with local growers, farmers, butchers, fish suppliers and artisan producers
- Creating structure, discipline and accountability within the kitchen team
- Working closely with senior management to grow food revenue and improve guest experience
- Ensuring compliance, hygiene, food safety and kitchen systems are consistently maintained
- Bringing fresh ideas while respecting what already works
Who We're Looking For
- Experience leading a team across multiple sites, outlets or styles of service
- Strong experience in weddings, events, hotel dining or destination hospitality
- A genuine passion for local, seasonal and high-quality produce
- The creativity to design dishes that surprise, delight and impress
- A hands-on approach and the desire to lead from the front
- The ability to coach, develop and get the best out of chefs at all levels
- A strong commercial background
- Proven experience managing food GP, stock control, wastage, ordering and supplier costs
- The ability to maintain targets while still delivering quality and creativity
- Confidence reporting to Directors and working alongside senior managers
- Excellent leadership and communication skills
- A calm, organised and professional approach
- The ability to manage priorities across different areas of the business
- High standards without ego
- The confidence to set the tone every day
Package
- £55,000 salary
- £5,000 KPI bonus
- Very healthy service charge
- Senior leadership role with genuine influence
- Opportunity to shape food across three distinctive sites (with more to come!)
- Scope to build a food identity rooted in local produce and memorable guest experiences
- Supportive ownership and senior management
- Beautiful Northumberland setting
- Scope to grow with the business as we continue to develop
The Opportunity
The right person will have the chance to make a real impact. We want someone who can bring structure, quality, creativity, energy, pride and commercial discipline into our kitchen team - someone who understands that great food is about consistency, team culture, guest experience, financial control, local produce and attention to detail. Although our sites are close together and operate with one team, this role still requires someone who can think at Group level while remaining close to the pass, the prep, the service, the people and the numbers. This is a role for a chef who wants more than just a title. It is for someone who wants to cook, lead, develop a team, protect standards, maintain targets, work closely with the Directors and site General Managers, and help build the future food identity of The Doxford Group.
To apply, please send your CV and a short covering note explaining why you are the right person for this role.
Group Head Chef in Lincoln employer: R J Shell Ltd t/a The Doxford Group
The Doxford Group is an exceptional employer located in the beautiful Northumberland, offering a unique opportunity for a Group Head Chef to lead a passionate kitchen team across three distinctive sites. With a strong focus on local produce and a commitment to quality, the company fosters a supportive work culture that encourages creativity, professional growth, and collaboration, all while maintaining a healthy service charge and competitive salary. Join us to make a meaningful impact on our culinary identity and guest experiences in a vibrant and dynamic environment.
Contact Detail:
R J Shell Ltd t/a The Doxford Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Head Chef in Lincoln
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! When you're applying for a role like Group Head Chef, it's crucial to show that you're not just about the paperwork. Visit the venues if you can, chat with the team, and get a feel for the kitchen vibe. This will help you stand out as someone who's genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with other chefs and industry professionals on social media or at local events. Share your passion for local produce and creativity in cooking. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job or be able to put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your culinary flair! If you get the chance, prepare a dish that showcases your skills and creativity. Bring it along to interviews or networking events. This not only demonstrates your talent but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows initiative and makes it easier for us to keep track of your journey. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your CV lands in the right hands!
We think you need these skills to ace Group Head Chef in Lincoln
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your experiences in the kitchen and how they’ve shaped your culinary style. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who truly enjoys creating memorable dishes.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Group Head Chef, you'll be leading a team across multiple sites. Make sure to emphasise your leadership experience in your application. Talk about how you've motivated teams, developed talent, and maintained high standards in previous roles.
Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen:We’re looking for someone who understands the business side of things too! In your application, mention your experience with managing food costs, stock control, and how you’ve contributed to financial success in past positions. Show us you can balance creativity with commercial discipline.
Tailor Your CV and Covering Note:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific requirements of this role. Use the job description as a guide and make sure to explain why you’re the perfect fit for The Doxford Group. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at R J Shell Ltd t/a The Doxford Group
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you’re well-versed in local produce and seasonal ingredients. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate these into your menus, as this role is all about celebrating the best of Northumberland.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've led kitchen teams in the past. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you motivate and develop chefs at all levels. This will show that you can lead from the front while maintaining high standards.
✨Balance Creativity with Commercial Savvy
Be prepared to discuss how you’ve managed food costs, GP, and supplier relationships in previous roles. The Doxford Group is looking for someone who understands that great food must also align with strong financial performance.
✨Engage with the Directors’ Vision
Research The Doxford Group and understand their ethos. Be ready to share your vision for how you can contribute to their goals and enhance the guest experience across their sites. This shows you’re not just interested in the title but in making a real impact.
