Head Chef

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

Job summary

A luxury boutique hotel in Blackburn is seeking a driven and creative Head Chef to lead its culinary team. This role involves supporting the Executive Head Chef, delivering innovative menus, and ensuring high-quality dining experiences. The hotel offers competitive salary packages, a 4-day working week, and various employee benefits, including professional development opportunities and service bonuses. This is a unique chance for an experienced Head Chef or a Sous Chef ready to step up in an ambitious atmosphere.

Benefits

Competitive salary + TRONC

4-day working week

Discounts on stays and dining

Professional development opportunities

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced leave options

Service bonus for long-term employees

Team recognition awards

Uniform provided

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready for promotion.
• Ability to create innovative and seasonal menus.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire and develop a team.

Responsibilities

• Support and deputize for the Executive Head Chef.
• Lead and inspire the kitchen brigade.
• Deliver seasonal and commercially minded menus.
• Oversee kitchen operations including cost control and safety standards.
• Ensure quality and consistency in dining experiences.

Skills

Leadership in kitchen brigade

Creativity in menu design

Attention to food quality

Operational management

Job description

Stanley House Hotel & Spa – Mellor, Lancashire

Stanley House Hotel & Spa is a luxury boutique hotel set in 54 acres of stunning Ribble Valley countryside. With exceptional bedrooms, award‑winning events, quality dining and a world‑class spa, it’s a standout place to develop your culinary career.

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 a driven, creative and quality‑focused Head Chef to help lead our food offering. Reporting to the Executive Head Chef you’ll play a key role in shaping menus, driving consistency, and developing a high‑performing team. This role is ideal for an experienced Head Chef or a strong Sous Chef ready to step up in a supportive, ambitious environment.

What You’ll Lead

• Supporting and deputising for the Executive Head Chef across all outlets and events
• Leading, inspiring and developing the kitchen brigade
• Delivering innovative, seasonal and commercially minded menus
• Overseeing kitchen operations including cost control, standards, safety and prep
• Ensuring exceptional quality and consistency across the hotel’s dining experiences

What You’ll Get

• Competitive salary + TRONC
• 4‑day working week for the kitchen team
• Discounts on stays and Food & Beverage across 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 service
• Team Member of the Month/Year awards
• Uniform provided

This hotel is managed by leaf HOSPITALITY who is a hotel management company that has one 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.