Executive Chef

The Store Oxford - the city's only luxury lifestyle hotel is looking for an exceptional Executive Chef to lead the culinary vision at The Store, Oxford. Untraditionally British, you can expect the unexpected at our restaurant, Treadwell. Our restaurant plays with locally sourced produce and the diverse influences that shape Oxford. It is incredibly British, but perhaps not as people have experienced before. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role for a commercially minded chef who can inspire teams, drive standards and deliver outstanding food across the hotel. You will be responsible for setting the direction of the kitchen, building strong leaders beneath you and creating a culture where quality, consistency and people development sit at the heart of everything we do.

The role

• Lead and shape the food offer across the business, ensuring consistently high standards
• Set the culinary direction, menu development and overall food strategy
• Lead, inspire and develop a multi-level kitchen team, including senior chefs and apprentices
• Work closely with the General Manager and senior leadership team to support the commercial performance of the business
• Maintain excellent standards of food safety, compliance and operational controls
• Build a positive, high-performing kitchen culture focused on professionalism, wellbeing and development

We're looking for someone who

• Has proven experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef within a high-quality hotel or restaurant environment
• Is a confident, visible leader who develops people and builds strong succession paths for their team
• Has a strong commercial mindset and understands food margins, labour control and forecasting
• Brings creativity, structure and consistency to menu delivery
• Leads with integrity and takes real pride in their team

Why join The Store, Oxford

This is a senior leadership role within an exciting and growing hotel that only opened its doors in May 2024, and has already made an impact in Oxford and beyond. If you are ready to lead, inspire and create something special in one of Oxford's standout hospitality venues, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits

• 33 days holiday
• Competitive salary plus performance bonus
• Meals on duty
• Ongoing training provided - both in house and external
• Apprenticeships
• Career progression and development - we invest in our people
• Royal Cars taxis 50% discount for our people to and from work
• Refer a Friend Scheme (£250 for general referrals and £500 if you refer a chef)
• Review bonus and scheme (£50, £100, £200, E Bike's, Smart TV's and International overnight stays for 50 reviews plus)
• Access to Wagestream
• 25% off treatments in our spa and 50% off products
• Discount on rooms and food and beverage
• Hospitality Rewards: access to health and wellbeing benefits and perks for everyone (high street discount, restaurants, and Employee Assistance)
• Opportunities to win raffle prizes
• Exceptional induction game and programme - this is the most fun you will have on your induction day that we promise
• Brand pillars - we have four pillars that we live and breathe every day
• Opportunities to socialise and celebrate big moments together - birthdays, work anniversaries and big life moments
• Team Awards and socials
• Fundraising initiatives - we support the community and like to give back, in 2023, and 2025 we walked for wellbeing supporting Hospitality Action.
• Go green - come and work with a company that are committed to creating a greener planet, by looking at how we can reduce our carbon footprint - we have a green team who ensure we are on track, come and play your part in that.

We've got 4 Brand Pillars that will also help you thrive:

• Legacy - The Store celebrates its rich history as a beloved department store, in the heart of Oxford, and pays tribute to the building's past by carrying forward a legacy of enchanting guests with a sense of delight and wonder.
• Discovery - Like its predecessor, The Store is a place of discovery, offering a myriad of spaces to explore and uncover, from the luxurious spa to its diverse range of dining experiences, window displays and seasonal pop-ups.
• Innovation - The Store is more than just a hotel it's a hub of innovation and change that constantly seeks to improve the guest experience through varying design, evolving installations and innovative food, drink and services.
• Community - As a former pillar of the community, The Store remains committed to supporting and engaging with the local community through various initiatives and events that bring people together.

At The Store, we value diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment as we believe diversity fosters a more innovative, creative, dynamic, and nurturing culture. We are striving to create a culture that fully represents our four brand pillars: Legacy, Discovery, Innovation and Community – including all the communities we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, family or parental status, or disability status.