At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented kitchen team to create exceptional dining experiences and innovative menus.
- Company: Join the prestigious Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa, known for its luxury and excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, medical cover, and discounts on hotel stays and spa treatments.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and career growth in a vibrant environment.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a renowned hotel and elevate culinary standards to new heights.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-quality hotel restaurants and a passion for culinary excellence.
The predicted salary is between 62500 - 62500 € per year.
Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa, East Street, Turners Hill, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH10 4QD.
Salary: Up to £62,500 + Monthly service charge payment + Quarterly Bonus Potential of £850 based on GP% results.
About the Hotel
A part of Alexander Hotels, the property offers 58 bedrooms, 2 award‑winning restaurants (Reflections Restaurant – 2 Rosettes, 60 covers; AG’s Restaurant – 3 Rosettes, 38 covers), a luxury Cedar Lodge development and a 2‑bedroom self‑contained Gatehouse. The venue hosts conference and banqueting rooms, private dining rooms, wedding events and provides a range of spa packages.
Role
Reporting to the General Manager, you will have total responsibility for all aspects of food production, from sourcing suppliers to delivering customer excellence in the finished dish. You will create and maintain restaurant menus, afternoon tea menus and corporate/wedding/banqueting menus.
Responsibilities
- Recruitment, training and coaching a team of 10 chefs and 3 kitchen porters.
- Work with local colleges to encourage new recruits and with the Group Resourcer to attract quality chefs.
- Manage the progress of any chef apprentices with the external training provider.
- Plan menus, source suppliers, place orders, oversee delivery, storage, preparation, cooking and service across all food areas within the hotel.
- Develop menu ideas to progress the food offering and achieve rosette standards across restaurants, banqueting, afternoon tea and corporate functions.
- Ensure compliance with HACCP and food hygiene, health and safety legislation.
- Achieve gross profit targets on dishes to enable future investment in facilities and staffing.
- Create passion, flair and drive in the team to help the hotel achieve its quality and business objectives, and promote effective teamwork and communication within and across departments.
Requirements
- Experience in developing a quality hotel restaurant to 3‑ and 2‑rosette standards.
- Proven record of team selection and retention that supports the development of excellent standards.
- Demonstrated practical ability and flair in a cooking trial, and ideas to improve the food offering during interviews.
- Experience managing multi‑menu requirements and a busy banqueting operation.
- Live locally or able to relocate to the area with own transportation.
Benefits
- 4 weeks holiday, increasing to 5 weeks with service.
- 8 bank holidays.
- Single private medical cover.
- Free car parking.
- Employee uniform.
- Discounted hotel accommodation for you and your family at all hotels.
- Discounted hair treatments at the two Utopia Spas.
- Discount off all food & beverage at all hotels.
- Discount on individual treatments booked in the two Utopia Spas.
- Discount on retail products in the two Utopia Spas.
- Refer a friend staff recruitment scheme.
- Birthday off paid, complimentary overnight stays, complimentary lunch/afternoon tea and service‑related holiday when you celebrate 1‑yr, 3‑yr and 5‑yr anniversaries.
Executive Head Chef employer: The Alexander Hotel Collection
At Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and supportive work culture. As an Executive Head Chef, you will enjoy competitive benefits including generous holiday allowances, private medical cover, and discounts across our luxurious facilities, all while working in a stunning location that encourages creativity and culinary excellence. We are committed to your professional growth, offering opportunities for training and development, ensuring you thrive in your role and contribute to our award-winning dining experiences.
Contact Detail:
The Alexander Hotel Collection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs and industry contacts on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, offer to do a cooking trial or demo. This is your moment to shine and demonstrate your flair and creativity in the kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to hotels and restaurants you admire, even if they’re not advertising. A well-timed email can open doors!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate chefs ready to take their career to the next level.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your culinary journey and what inspires you to create exceptional dishes. We want to see that flair and creativity that can elevate our dining experience.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Executive Head Chef role. Highlight your experience with rosette standards and managing a team. We appreciate when applicants take the time to align their skills with what we’re looking for!
Be Specific About Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you’ve improved menu offerings or increased gross profit in previous roles. We love seeing concrete results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Alexander House Hotel!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Alexander Hotel Collection
✨Know Your Menus Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the menus of both restaurants at Alexander House. Think about how you can elevate their offerings and be ready to share your ideas on menu development that aligns with their rosette standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Executive Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully recruited, trained, and retained chefs in the past. Highlight any initiatives you've taken to foster teamwork and communication in the kitchen.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Quality
Be ready to discuss your experience in achieving high culinary standards. Share specific instances where you’ve improved food quality or customer satisfaction, especially in a busy banqueting environment. This will show your commitment to excellence.
✨Prepare for a Cooking Trial
Expect a practical cooking trial as part of the interview process. Practice your signature dishes and think about how you can impress with your flair and creativity. Be prepared to explain your thought process behind each dish you prepare.
