Head Chef

Absolute Taste; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury hospitality firm in the UK seeks a skilled Head Chef to lead its culinary team, ensuring exceptional dining experiences aboard the River Thames. The role involves managing kitchen operations, guiding menu development, and training staff to maintain high standards of food quality and service. Ideal candidates will have experience in leading high-performing teams in fine dining environments, strong leadership and organizational skills, and a passion for culinary excellence.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Head Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership role.
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of managing a team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
• Experience in budget management and cost control.
• Passion for culinary innovation and high-quality food production.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations ensuring high standards of food quality.
• Manage food procurement and stock control with suppliers.
• Oversee daily kitchen activities for smooth operations.
• Train and develop a high-performing kitchen team.
• Ensure adherence to food safety standards and hygiene regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational skills

Budget management

Culinary innovation

Kitchen management software

Tools

CRMS

Fourth

Microsoft Office

Job description

To lead the Absolute Taste culinary team at Woods' Silver Fleet, delivering an exceptional fine dining experience while ensuring the highest culinary standards, operational efficiency, and team development.

Operational Delivery

• Lead kitchen operations, ensuring high standards of food quality, consistency, and service are maintained at all times.
• Manage food procurement and stock control, building strong relationships with suppliers to secure high-quality ingredients at competitive prices.
• Control kitchen costs, balancing quality with efficiency to meet budgetary targets while maintaining exceptional standards.
• Oversee daily kitchen activities, ensuring smooth and efficient operations, from prep through to service and breakdown.
• Attend key meetings and work closely with Woods' Silver Fleet leadership to ensure operational alignment and effective communication across departments.

Menu & Product Development

• Lead the creation and execution of menus, developing innovative dishes that align with Absolute Taste's standards and brand.
• Drive the development of new culinary concepts for events, ensuring consistency and creativity in every dish served.
• Stay ahead of culinary trends and bring new ideas and techniques to the team, elevating the dining experience on the River Thames.

People Management

• Lead, train, and develop a high-performing kitchen team, including managing both full-time and casual staff.
• Oversee the scheduling and rostering of the kitchen team, ensuring adequate staffing levels for smooth operations.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive kitchen environment, promoting collaboration and a strong team culture.
• Conduct regular team briefings, providing clear communication and ensuring team members are aligned on expectations, responsibilities, and goals.

Training & Health & Safety

• Ensure adherence to all food safety standards and hygiene regulations, maintaining the highest level of cleanliness and safety in the kitchen.
• Conduct onboarding and training sessions for new kitchen staff, ensuring they are familiar with operational procedures and health & safety protocols.
• Continuously review and improve kitchen operations, implementing best practices to ensure efficiency and compliance with regulations.

Operational Reporting & Equipment Management

• Ensure all reporting deadlines are met, including rotas, stocktaking, and any other required documentation.
• Maintain an organized and well-managed kitchen, ensuring that equipment is well cared for and that storage areas are tidy and efficient.
• Keep accurate records of equipment breakdowns and manage the maintenance or replacement of kitchen tools as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Head Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership role, preferably in a fine dining or high-end event setting.
• Strong leadership skills, with a proven track record of developing and managing a high-performing team.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
• Experience in budget management, cost control, and menu development.
• A creative approach to menu development, with a passion for culinary innovation and high-quality food production.
• Proficiency in kitchen management software (e.g., CRMS, Fourth) and basic Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel

At Absolute Taste, we specialize in creating unforgettable fine dining experiences aboard Woods' Silver Fleet on the stunning River Thames. Our passion for exceptional food, impeccable service, and unique settings has made us a leader in luxury hospitality. We are seeking a talented Head Chef to join our culinary team, bringing creativity, leadership, and culinary excellence to every service.