Head Chef

Fire Group; Brockenhurst; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday day off

Service charge

Wellbeing program

Discounts at local attractions

Career development

Beautiful setting

Friendly working environment

Job summary

Fire Group is seeking a Head Chef for a beautiful New Forest hotel. The role is hands-on, leading a small kitchen team and ensuring top quality food, hygiene and service.

You will manage stock, costs and budgets, while maintaining high standards and a positive, hands-on approach in a friendly environment.

Qualifications

• Strong experience within a quality hotel, restaurant or hospitality environment.
• A genuine passion for food and delivering high standards.
• Good knowledge of food hygiene and kitchen safety.
• Experience managing or mentoring a kitchen team.
• An understanding of stock, food costs and kitchen budgets.
• Strong organisation and time-management skills.
• A positive and hands-on approach.

Responsibilities

• Leading, motivating and supporting a small kitchen team.
• Being hands-on with food preparation and service.
• Maintaining consistently high standards of food quality and presentation.
• Managing kitchen stock, ordering and food costs.
• Monitoring budgets and minimising waste.
• Ensuring all food safety, hygiene and health & safety standards are maintained.
• Organising the kitchen to ensure smooth and efficient service.
• Working closely with the wider hospitality team to deliver an excellent guest experience.
• Supporting the kitchen team.

Skills

Leadership

Hands-on cooking

Food hygiene

Budgeting

Stock management

Time management

Job description

We are recruiting for a Head Chef to join the team of a beautiful Hotel set within the New Forest.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Sous Chef ready to take the next step into their first Head Chef position, or an established Head Chef looking for a fresh new opportunity in a stunning setting.

The Head Chef role is hands-on, so you will be actively involved in the kitchen alongside managing a small team and ensuring consistently high standards across food quality, preparation and service.

What's on Offer?

• £41-42K + Service charge
• Day off on your birthday
• Wellbeing Action
• Discounts across local attractions and Hotels
• Career development and progression opportunities
• The chance to work in a beautiful setting
• Friendly and supportive working environment

The Role

As Head Chef, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring the team delivers an excellent food offering while maintaining strong standards of hygiene, organisation and efficiency.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating and supporting a small kitchen team
• Being hands-on with food preparation and service
• Maintaining consistently high standards of food quality and presentation
• Managing kitchen stock, ordering and food costs
• Monitoring budgets and minimising waste
• Ensuring all food safety, hygiene and health & safety standards are maintained
• Organising the kitchen to ensure smooth and efficient service
• Working closely with the wider hospitality team to deliver an excellent guest experience
• Supporting the kitchen team

Hours

• 40 hours per week, 5 days over 7

About You

We are looking for someone who is passionate about food and enjoys being hands-on in the kitchen, with the confidence to take ownership of a small operation.

You may already be working as a Head Chef, or be an experienced Sous Chef looking for your first step into kitchen management.

You will ideally have:

• Strong experience within a quality hotel, restaurant or hospitality environment
• A genuine passion for food and delivering high standards
• Good knowledge of food hygiene and kitchen safety
• Experience managing or mentoring a kitchen team
• An understanding of stock, food costs and kitchen budgets
• Strong organisation and time-management skills
• A positive and hands-on approach

If you're an experienced Sous Chef ready to take that next step, or an established Head Chef looking for a new opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

Please note: We can only accept applications from candidates who have the legal right to live and work in the UK.