Executive Head Chef

Stanley House Hotel and Spa; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious hotel in the Ribble Valley is seeking an experienced Executive Head Chef to oversee kitchen operations. This full-time role involves leading a kitchen brigade, ensuring the highest food quality standards, and managing all culinary aspects of the hotel including events and catering. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in hotel kitchens and excellent leadership skills, along with a passion for menu innovation and guest satisfaction.

Benefits

Competitive salary + Bonus Scheme

Discounts on stays and Food & Beverage

Learning & professional development opportunities

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced annual and family leave

£500 service bonus for every 5 years of service

Team Member of the Month/Year awards

Uniform provided

Additional pension contributions

Qualifications

• Proven experience in high-volume kitchens or hotel environments.
• Excellent leadership and managerial skills.
• Ability to maintain high food quality and service standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the entire kitchen operation and lead the kitchen brigade.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and hygiene standards.
• Manage ordering, stock control, and GP management.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen Management

Culinary Operations

Health and Safety Standards

Menu Innovation

Job description

Stanley House Hotel & Spa – Mellor, Lancashire

Stanley House Hotel & Spa is an award‑winning boutique hotel set in 54 acres of stunning Ribble Valley countryside. With 30 exceptional bedrooms, high‑end dining, weddings, events, and a world‑class spa, it’s a unique environment to lead a top‑tier culinary operation.

Join Us at an Exciting Time

We’re investing in our culinary offer, with a kitchen refurbishment planned for the new year, and we’ve introduced a new 4‑day working week (40 hours per week) for the kitchen brigade, to support balance and attract top talent.

The Opportunity

We’re seeking an experienced Executive Head Chef to oversee the entire kitchen operation, reporting directly to the General Manager. This senior role requires a strong background in hotel or high‑volume banqueting kitchens, excellent leadership skills, and a proven ability to manage complex culinary operations. While the kitchen team will benefit from a new 4‑day working week, this role will remain full‑time, providing the leadership, vision, and oversight needed to deliver an exceptional food offering across all outlets.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and inspire a multifaceted kitchen brigade, ensuring excellence in food quality, presentation, and service.
• Overall responsibility for kitchen operations, including ordering, stock control, GP management, and compliance with all health, safety, and hygiene standards.
• Manage payroll, rota planning, and training for the entire kitchen team.
• Oversee high‑volume conferences, banquets, and events, ensuring smooth execution and guest satisfaction.
• Collaborate with the General Manager, Group F&B Development Manager, and other departments to maintain operational efficiency and drive menu innovation.
• Monitor KPIs, menu profitability, and brand standards to ensure continuous improvement.
• Act as the key representative for the kitchen during audits, including Environmental Health and branded quality inspections.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive salary + Bonus Scheme.
• Discounts on stays and Food & Beverage across the leaf HOSPITALITY portfolio of hotels.
• Learning & professional development opportunities.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Enhanced annual and family leave.
• £500 service bonus for every 5 years of service.
• Team Member of the Month/Year awards.
• Uniform provided.
• Additional pension contributions.

This hotel is managed by leaf HOSPITALITY, a hotel management company with a simple value that underpins everything we do: be excellent. We work with branded and independent hotels. Our vision is to be a leader in the market where every member of our team plays a part in delivering excellent service to our guests, owners, and team members.

#BeExcellent #BeHuman #HaveIntegrity