Head Chef

The Coaching Inn Group; Brecon; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6 weeks' holiday

TipJar tips – gratuities shared weekly

Private healthcare

Life insurance

Health & Wellbeing Grant

Work-life balance

Discounts on food (up to 50%)

Discounts on accommodation (50%)

£1 annual hotel stay

Career development programmes

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The Castle of Brecon Hotel in Brecon, Powys is seeking an exceptional Head Chef to lead its busy kitchen and shape its culinary identity.

You will manage a 9-strong brigade, develop seasonal Modern British and Welsh-inspired menus, and champion local produce while driving cost controls and compliance with HACCP and health & safety standards.

Salary £48,000–£50,000 with up to 20% performance bonus and attractive staff benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef in a busy hotel or high-volume operation.
• Proven track record of delivering own menus.
• Passion for Modern British cuisine and locally sourced ingredients.
• Experience leading a brigade of 9 chefs or more.
• Coaching style focused on developing people.
• Commercial understanding of GP, food cost, stock and labour management.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP and health & safety.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a brigade of 9 chefs.
• Create and implement seasonal Modern British and Welsh menus.
• Champion local produce and build supplier relationships.
• Maintain high standards of food quality, consistency and presentation.
• Manage food costs, GP, stock and labour planning.
• Ensure HACCP and health & safety compliance.
• Collaborate with senior management to deliver an outstanding guest experience.

Skills

Head chef leadership

Menu creation & development

Cost control & GP management

Staff coaching & mentorship

Food safety & HACCP knowledge

Organisational skills

Calm under pressure

Supplier relationships

Job description

HEAD CHEF

The Castle of Brecon Hotel | Brecon, Powys

£48,000–£50,000 + up to 20% performance bonus

Lead the kitchen. Champion Welsh produce. Make your mark. Imagine leading the kitchen of one of Wales’ most iconic and historic hotels.

Set within the ancient ruins of an 11th-century Norman fortress, The Castle of Brecon Hotel is the oldest hotel in Wales. With 42 individually designed bedrooms, spectacular views across the Brecon Beacons and River Usk, and a reputation for warm, genuine Welsh hospitality, this is a kitchen with a story to tell.

We’re looking for an exceptional Head Chef to take that story forward.

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, commercially astute chef who wants genuine ownership of their kitchen, the freedom to develop menus and the opportunity to build a team and food offering they can be proud of.

YOUR KITCHEN. YOUR MENUS. YOUR TEAM.

• Leading, inspiring and developing a brigade of 9 chefs.
• Creating and implementing exciting seasonal menus with a strong Modern British and Welsh identity.
• Championing local and seasonal produce and building strong supplier relationships.
• Maintaining exceptional standards of food quality, consistency and presentation.
• Coaching and mentoring your team, creating a culture where people can learn, develop and progress.
• Taking ownership of food costs, GP, stock control, ordering and labour planning.
• Managing the kitchen efficiently across a busy hotel operation.
• Ensuring the highest standards of food hygiene, HACCP and health & safety.
• Working closely with the senior management team to deliver an outstanding overall guest experience.
• Creating a positive, professional and supportive kitchen culture where people want to succeed.

About You

You’re an experienced Head Chef who thrives in a busy environment and knows what it takes to lead from the front.

You’ll Bring

• Proven Head Chef experience within a busy hotel or high-volume hospitality operation.
• A strong track record of creating and delivering your own menus.
• A genuine passion for Modern British cuisine, seasonal cooking and locally sourced ingredients.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing a brigade of 9 chefs or more.
• A natural coaching style and a passion for developing people.
• Strong commercial understanding, including GP, food cost, stock and labour management.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP and health & safety.
• The ability to remain calm, organised and decisive when the pressure is on.
• Energy, creativity and the ambition to raise standards and make a real difference.

A full UK driving licence and access to transport is preferred due to the hotel's location.

MORE THAN A SALARY

We know that great chefs have choices. That’s why we offer more than just a competitive salary.

£48,000–£50,000 salary + the opportunity to earn up to 20% annual performance bonus.

You’ll Also Receive

• 6 weeks' holiday – proper time to switch off and recharge.
• Weekly tips – 100% of gratuities shared with our teams every week through our TipJar Tronc scheme.
• Private healthcare – because your wellbeing matters.
• Life insurance – added peace of mind for you and your family.
• Annual Health & Wellbeing Grant – additional support for your health and wellbeing.
• Work-life balance – a genuine commitment to flexibility and creating a healthier way of working.
• Up to 50% off food across Coaching Inn Group hotels.
• 50% off accommodation across the group.
• £1 annual hotel stay – enjoy a night away at one of our hotels for just £1.
• Award-winning career development – industry-leading training and development programmes.
• Employee Assistance Programme – confidential support whenever you need it.

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY

This isn’t simply another Head Chef position.

It’s an opportunity to lead a talented brigade, shape the culinary identity of a historic Welsh hotel and create food that celebrates the place, the produce and the people around it.

If you’re ready to take ownership, inspire a team and make your mark at one of Wales’ most unique hotels, we’d love to hear from you.

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