Head Chef

Taymouth Castle; Aberfeldy; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Living Wage Employer

Free on-site parking

Paid breaks

Uniform provided

Discounts on accommodation

Discounts at resort restaurants

Leisure facilities access

Job summary

Taymouth Castle is seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen and back of house operations within our resort in Scotland. You will motivate the culinary team, develop fresh, seasonal menus, and ensure the highest standards of food quality and presentation for all guests.

We seek an experienced leader with a passion for cuisine, meticulous attention to detail, and a capable mentor who can sustain excellent service across breakfast, meals, and events at the resort.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen brigade.
• Ability to develop fresh, seasonal menus.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.
• Commitment to food safety and high standards.
• Experience in hospitality or resort environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen brigade and back of house operations.
• Control costs and maintain food safety standards.
• Develop and implement new menu ideas.
• Motivate and train the culinary team.
• Ensure consistent quality and presentation.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food safety

Cost control

Team motivation

Quality standards

Staff training

Job description

Role Summary

Pivotal in ensuring the efficient daily operation of the kitchen and the highest standards of culinary excellence, managing the kitchen brigade, controlling costs, and maintaining food safety standards. The Head Chef leads the kitchen brigade and plays a key role in developing fresh, imaginative, seasonal menus.

You bring exceptional leadership, setting high standards for quality and accuracy and driving continuous improvement and product innovation. You have a keen eye for detail, and through confident guidance you inspire the team to share ideas and in turn support with their development.

As part of a close-knit team, you GUIDE THE WAY by leading the culinary brigade and the wider team members to deliver exceptional food and beverage service to every guest whether they are local and joining us for a meal or staying overnight and enjoying a hearty Scottish breakfast.

Role Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the role of Head Chef is to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the kitchen and back of house operation. You motivate, organise and dynamically lead a team of chefs by assigning and driving specific duties. Structuring and organising the kitchen efficiently to cope with the daily operations. Creating and implementing new ideas in menu development.

Proactively support fellow chefs across stations, effectively communicating and driving a collaborative, people focused environment where we DELIVER RESULTS and a consistent offering to guests. Taking a hands‑on role in the preparation, cooking and presenting of high‑quality dishes by following both established recipes and dietary guidelines. You ensure each dish is consistent in taste, presentation, portioning and nutritional value.

Develop and implement training programmes for the kitchen brigade, exciting and inspiring the team with a seasonal and sustainable approach, utilising innovative techniques and locally sourced seasonal produce. You ensure the smooth day‑day running of the Kitchen and back of house operation; Kitchen Porters are maintaining safe and sanitary conditions in all food service areas including equipment. As well as the disposal of rubbish and recycling in the respective bins.

Maintain a friendly approach with guests whilst respecting their privacy during their stay. Respond to any guest requests and feedback efficiently. Approach all that we do with SIMPLICITY. Provide guidance, support and motivation to assist junior team members. Encourage a positive and efficient work environment while ensuring teamwork and consistent high standards. Ensure guests are satisfied throughout their stay, attending to any additional dietary needs.

Role Competencies

This is a superb opportunity for an enthusiastic and creative Chef. You may be an experienced Head Chef with a track record of leading a team or a Senior Sous Chef ready to take the next step in your culinary career. You could be working within a Hotel, Restaurant, Visitor Attraction or Contract Catering business. We need someone who wants to work with the best and be part of an established and popular resort.

Demonstrate excellent leadership capabilities and mindset. A desire to invest in team development and inspire every member to deliver their very best. Attention to detail. BE YOURSELF calm, confident and discreet, taking huge pride in your presentation.

A genuine passion for food with previous experience in the same or a similar role / and or resort environment, working with a small team. Exemplary time management and critical thinking skills. Ability to work under pressure, juggling competing priorities with minimum supervision.

Please note the selected candidatemusthave the right to work in the UK as we cannot offer visa sponsorship and offers are subject to successful completion of our reference and background checks.

What we Offer

• Competitive Salary Accredited Living Wage Employer.
• We are a close‑knit friendly and professional team that support each other, celebrate shared success in a fast‑paced hospitality setting.
• We believe in developing talent; career progression with opportunities to learn, grow and progress.
• We understand the importance of well‑being and encourage our team to keep fit and healthy through free access to our leisure facilities.
• We offer our team discounts on accommodation and within our restaurants throughout the resort.
• We offer free on‑site parking.
• Paid breaks.
• Uniform provided.