Head Chef

FAIRMONT; Coventry; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A branded hotel in Coventry seeks a Head Chef to lead kitchen operations. Responsibilities include menu planning, training staff, and maintaining food quality standards. Ideal candidates have significant experience in high-volume kitchens and a passion for food. The position offers career development opportunities within the brand and various perks such as free meals and discounts.

Benefits

Free meals while on duty

Uniform provided

On-site parking

Discounts on stays and dining

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-volume environment.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, especially under pressure.
• A passion for great food and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and develop a team of chefs.
• Manage menu planning, food production, and stock control.
• Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Time management

Stock management

Food safety

Job description

Overview

Are you a passionate and experienced Head Chef ready to take the lead in a fast-paced, branded hotel environment? At Novotel Coventry, we’re looking for a hands-on leader who can bring creativity, consistency, and commercial awareness to our kitchen operation.

As Head Chef, you’ll be fully responsible for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, leading a small team to deliver high-quality food that’s on-brand and on-budget. From breakfast to dinner, conferencing to events, you’ll ensure every plate meets our standards, and that your team feels supported and motivated along the way.

Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and develop a team of chefs, ensuring high standards are maintained at all times.
• Take ownership of menu planning, food production, stock control, and ordering.
• Maintain excellent standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety in line with EHO and brand requirements.
• Work collaboratively with the hotel leadership team to improve food quality, control costs, and drive guest satisfaction scores.
• Manage rotas and labour costs effectively, ensuring the kitchen is appropriately staffed for service needs.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-volume hotel or branded kitchen.
• A confident leader who leads by example, supports their team, and takes pride in results.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, especially under pressure.
• A good understanding of GP, stock management, and waste control.
• A passion for great food and consistent delivery.

What you’ll get

• The autonomy to shape and improve the food offering across all departments.
• Opportunities to grow within the Accor brand, with global career paths and development support.
• Free meals while on duty, uniform, and on-site parking.
• Discounts on stays and dining across thousands of Accor properties worldwide.
• A supportive, down-to-earth team culture in a hotel where your ideas are valued.

Additional Information

Join a welcoming and driven team at Novotel Coventry, just minutes from the M6. Whether it’s serving conference guests or leisure travellers, we pride ourselves on creating memorable experiences – and great food plays a huge part in that.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: We are an inclusive company, and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent.