Head Chef

Full-Time Position (48 hours) - Flexible shifts available across from 10 am through to 12:00 pm. Your country home away from home, nestled within 12 acres of picturesque Hertfordshire countryside. Sopwell House is a luxurious, family owned Georgian country house hotel offering timeless elegance and modern comfort. We’re proud to be a place where exceptional service is delivered with warmth, pride and purpose.

We’re currently looking for a passionate and experienced Pastry Head Chef to lead our pastry kitchen and inspire our talented team.

Your role in our family:

• Take full ownership of the pastry operation across the hotel, ensuring creativity, consistency and excellence at every level.
• Lead and manage the daily operations of the pastry kitchen, ensuring the highest standards of quality and presentation.
• Develop innovative, seasonal pastry menus across all outlets including restaurant, banqueting, afternoon tea and events.
• Inspire, train and motivate a highly skilled pastry team, fostering growth and maintaining exceptional standards.
• Maintain full control over food costs, stock management, ordering, and wastage to meet financial targets.
• Ensure all recipes, costings, and specifications are accurate and consistently followed.
• Drive new concepts, trends, and creative ideas within the pastry offering.
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Chef and other departments to deliver a seamless guest experience.
• Oversee hygiene, food safety, and allergen compliance in line with legislation and company standards.
• Engage with guests where required, ensuring bespoke requests are delivered to the highest level.
• Take responsibility for recruitment, training, rotas, and team development within the pastry department.

What would make you the perfect fit?

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior pastry leadership role within a luxury hotel or fine dining environment.
• Professional qualification in Culinary Arts, Patisserie or related field (NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent preferred).
• Strong leadership skills with proven experience managing, developing, and motivating teams.
• Expert knowledge of classical and modern patisserie techniques.
• Highly skilled in chocolate work, sugar work, artisan baking, plated desserts, afternoon tea, and petits fours.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing food costs, labour, and kitchen budgets.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills with a proactive, hands-on approach.
• Up to date knowledge of food trends, ingredients, and presentation styles.
• Food Safety Level 2 Certificate.

The Best Bit:

• Wide range of training and development opportunities.
• Free staff meals and parking.
• Discounted food & beverage, accommodation and spa.
• 28 days holiday + an extra day off on your birthday.
• 30% discount on spa treatments and spa days.
• 10% discount on spa products.
• “Recommend a Friend” bonus scheme.
• Free uniform.
• Discounted global hotel rates.

At Sopwell House, we live by our Vision, Purpose and Values. We are dedicated to creating a world of ‘Perfect Contentment’ for both our team members and guests alike - ‘Spreading kindness one act at a time’ along the way.

All applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK. If you have not received a response within 14 days, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.