Head Chef

Cairn Group; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted stays across hotels and Ven

F&B discounts

Wellbeing resources

Career development programmes

Long service awards

Refer a friend scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Health Care Cash Plan

Opportunities to develop across our HW

Job summary

Cairn Group seeks an inspirational Head Chef for Twenty Princes Street, Edinburgh, to lead the kitchen and deliver modern Scottish cuisine. You’ll work with the central F&B team to craft menus, train staff, and uphold food safety, allergen management and standards.

The role covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, events and group dining, shaping the overall guest experience. You’ll drive food quality, cost controls and team development, with leadership at the heart of daily operations and major events.

Qualifications

• Proven Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef background within a hotel or quality restaurant operation
• Confident managing food safety, allergens and kitchen compliance
• Strong food costing, gross profit and labour management
• Experience training and developing a kitchen brigade
• Ability to collaborate within group food direction
• Lead by example and take ownership
• Build positive relationships across kitchen, food and beverage, sales and events
• Perform confidently in a busy and evolving hotel

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen operation across the Restaurant & Bar operation
• Continue to build on our strong food offering & identity
• Work closely with F&B team to develop the operation
• Collaborate on seasonal menus, event packages and new concepts
• Own kitchen standards, food safety, allergens, HACCP and audit readiness
• Build a structured training and development plan for every brigade member
• Develop future kitchen leaders and create clear succession
• Control food cost, labour, purchasing, stock and waste
• Lead from the kitchen during key services and major events
• Create a culture of accountability, consistency and continuous improvement

Skills

Food safety

Allergen management

Food costing

Staff development

Team leadership

Collaboration with F&B

Tools

HACCP

Job description

Location: Hotel Indigo Edinburgh - Princes Street

Join Cairn Group – Where People Drive Hospitality Forward, Together

At Cairn Group, we're passionate about creating memorable guest experiences, and it all starts with our people

We’re looking for an inspiring and people focused Head Chef to lead the next phase of Twenty Princes Street’s culinary operation, with a particular focus on our developing modern Scottish cuisine.

Working closely with Cairn Group’s central Food and Beverage team, you will develop commercially strong menus, build a skilled and confident brigade, and ensure food safety, allergen management and operational standards remain at the heart of everything we deliver

About the Role

As Head Chef, you will take ownership of the day to day kitchen operation while working closely with Cairn Group’s central Food and Beverage team to develop and deliver menus that reflect the brand identity and goals.

The kitchen serves hotel breakfast (continental and à la carte), lunch, dinner, Sunday roast, bar dishes, group dining and events. The new Head Chef will shape how all of it looks, tastes and performs.

• Lead the kitchen operation across our Restaurant & Bar operation
• Continue to build on our strong food offering & identity
• Work closely with F&B team to develop the operation
• Collaborate with the F&B team on seasonal menus, event packages and new concepts
• Own kitchen standards, food safety, allergens, HACCP and audit readiness
• Build a structured training and development plan for every member of the brigade
• Develop future kitchen leaders and create clear succession within the team
• Control food cost, labour, purchasing, stock and waste
• Lead from the kitchen during key services and major events
• Create a culture of accountability, consistency and continuous improvement

Make Every Moment Matter

Every day is different, but every day you'll have the opportunity to make a positive impact. You will:

• Lead and inspire a team that delivers exceptional guest experiences
• Create a welcoming environment where guests feel valued
• Support the development and growth of team members
• Drive service standards and operational excellence
• Build positive relationships across the hotel
• Help shape a culture where people can perform, grow and succeed

Bring Your Personality. We'll Help You Build Your Career.

We're looking for people who:

• Have a proven Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef background within a hotel or quality restaurant operation
• Are confident managing food safety, allergens and kitchen compliance
• Can demonstrate strong food costing, gross profit and labour management
• Have successfully trained and developed a kitchen brigade
• Are comfortable working collaboratively within an agreed group food direction
• Lead by example and take ownership
• Build positive relationships across kitchen, food and beverage, sales and events
• Perform confidently in a busy and evolving hotel.

Want to continue developing their leadership career

If you enjoy creating exceptional food experiences, building strong teams and helping shape a growing hotel operation, we'd love to hear from you

Why Cairn Group?

Our People First culture combines ambitious standards with genuine support, creating an environment where individuals are trusted to perform, encouraged to grow and recognised for the contribution they make. We believe success is built through collaboration, accountability and a shared commitment to excellence, giving our people the foundation to build long term careers with purpose

What you'll enjoy as part of the team

At Cairn Group, we recognise that our people are at the heart of our success. That's why we offer a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, reward your contribution and help you build a rewarding career with us

As part of the Cairn team, you'll enjoy:

• Discounted stays across our hotels and venues
• Food, beverage, spa and leisure discounts
• Access to retail, entertainment and lifestyle discounts
• Leadership and career development programmes
• Long service awards recognising your commitment and contribution
• Refer a friend scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential support whenever you need it
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Wellbeing resources and support
• Opportunities to develop and progress across our diverse hospitality portfolio

We're committed to creating an environment where people feel supported, valued and empowered to grow. Whether you're starting your career or taking the next step in leadership, Cairn Group offers the opportunity to build a career with purpose, alongside a team that’s stronger together

About Hotel Indigo Edinburgh - Princes Street

Hotel Indigo Edinburgh – Princes Street is a boutique hotel set within an impressive Georgian townhouse on Edinburgh’s famous Princes Street, just moments from Edinburgh Waverley Station. Inspired by the city’s rich literary heritage and overlooking Edinburgh Castle, the hotel is also home to award-winning Twenty Princes Street Restaurant and Juniper Bar, combining a landmark city-centre location with distinctive dining and hospitality.

Join us and help create exceptional experiences every day

This application includes 6 screening questions. You will be asked to answer these when you apply.