Head Chef

Imperial London Hotels; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 Days Holiday pro‑rata

Free meals on duty

Uniform & dry‑cleaning

Workplace pension scheme

Refer a Friend scheme £300

Employee recognition

Employee awards

Social events

Early Pay

Discounts on hotel stays and dining

Local discounts

Mental health support

Hospitality Action support

Job summary

Imperial London Hotels is seeking a highly skilled Head Chef for President Hotel. You will lead a busy kitchen, manage up to 18 staff, and develop seasonal menus while ensuring quality and cost targets are met.

You will collaborate with hotel management to deliver exceptional guest experiences and maintain high standards of safety and presentation. A proactive leader with mentoring skills is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Ability to design and cost seasonal menus.
• Experience in controlling food GP and labor budgets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement innovative menus reflecting seasonal availability and guest preferences.
• Manage stock levels and procurement to meet budgeted targets.
• Lead and train the kitchen team to deliver high-quality culinary experiences.

Skills

Fast-paced kitchen

Menu development

Cost control

Leadership

Mentoring

Budgeting

Communication

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Education

Level 3 Food & Safety in Catering

City & Guilds Diploma in Professional Cookery

Health & Safety Certificate

Job description

Head Chef at President Hotel

40 hours a week (5 days out of 7 days weekly rota)

About The Role

We’re looking for a talented and dedicated Head Chef to join our Kitchen Team at President Hotel. As Head Chef you will be responsible for the day to day running of the kitchen to deliver consistently high quality food, meeting the demands of service so that we can deliver memorable guest experiences. You will manage a team of up to 18 staff comprising of a Sous Chef a CPD, Commis chefs & Porters. We require a born leader who knows how to delegate and bring out the best in their team, mentoring across all levels to create a great working environment so that everyone is encouraged to reach their full potential.

You will ensure the kitchen team know how to follow recipes, presentation guidelines and that all food is prepared safely and presented irresistibly, taking a hands‑on approach when needed to motivate and lead from the front. With your talent for developing and designing seasonal menus, you will ensure they are costed accurately within food budget cost controls and minimal wastage, you’ll keep an eye on stock levels and ordering the right quantities, sourcing the best local ingredients.

Working in collaboration with your Hotel Manager and rest of front of house team, you’ll ensure the Kitchen team always present a professional and welcoming service, and an attitude that exceeds our guest expectations.

No two days are the same. You'll work in a vibrant, bustling kitchen where creativity and teamwork are essential to success.

What You’ll Bring

• A talented Head Chef with a passion for fresh food, experienced with working in a fast‑paced kitchen.
• You have a talent for creating new dishes for our menu cooking incredible food that will wow your guests.
• Create and maintain high standards for food preparation and presentation, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
• Oversee the delivery of freshly prepared dishes at our Atrium Bar and restaurant catering for our Interactive theater dining experience.
• With your strong leadership experience, you recognise succession is vital and have built strong teams around you. You know how to spot, nurture and develop talent within your team.
• Experienced in controlling GP and managing your labor budget, you know your way around a P&L to achieve financial targets
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage the team in a calm and inspirational manner.
• Demonstrate great attention to detail with strong organisational and multi‑tasking skills.
• Have a flexible approach and positive attitude, able to keep a cool head under pressure.
• Level 3 Food & Safety in Catering / City & Guilds Diploma in Professional Cookery.
• Health & Safety Certificate.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and implement innovative menus that reflect seasonal availability, dietary trends, and guest preferences.
• Manage food stock levels and procurement to meet operational needs and achieve budgeted food gross profit targets.
• Lead, train, and inspire the kitchen team to deliver consistently high‑quality culinary experiences.
• Anticipate and exceed customer expectations through personalized service and attention to detail.
• Ensure all kitchen staff adhere to strict hygiene and safety standards, conducting regular training sessions and maintaining up‑to‑date records.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure seamless operations and exceptional guest satisfaction.
• Participate in the recruitment and performance management of kitchen staff.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices to continually enhance our culinary offerings.

What’s in it for you?

• 28 Days Holiday pro‑rata increasing with length of service up to 33 days
• Free meals on duty
• Uniform & dry‑cleaning
• Workplace pension scheme
• £300 Refer a Friend Scheme
• Employee recognition
• Employee awards
• Social events
• Interest‑free Season Ticket Loan / Travelcard Loan
• 50% discount to friends and family in our hotels on hotel rooms & 20% discount in our restaurants (subject to availability)
• Local discounts at Gym, Dry Cleaners, Bowling and Restaurant outlets
• Early Pay - Instantly access a portion of the pay you’ve already earned
• Shopping discounts across several high‑street brands and online retailers (via Each Person)
• Nursery Scheme via Each Person (subject to eligibility)
• Mental health first aiders support & well‑being
• Employee Assistance Programme- Supported by Hospitality Action

About Us

With a 185-year legacy, our company combines the stability of a long‑standing 7th generation family business with the innovation of a startup. We have big plans for growth, and we need someone who shares our excitement for the future, whilst upholding our core values of positivity, care, collaboration, growth, and pride.

We are part of the Imperial London Family of Hotels, a family‑run company with over 185 years of history. We’re rewriting the traditional hospitality mindset, paving the way for a fresh approach at our 8 hotels and 9 restaurants in Bloomsbury. Our purpose is to provide authentic London experiences and memorable stays to all our guests, and we believe that starts with the right team.

Are you ready to take your culinary skills to the next level and contribute to our new generation of hoteliers? Please reach out to us today!