Head Chef

Platinum-Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share of service charge

Company pension

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Platinum Recruitment, working in partnership with an elegant townhouse hotel in central London, has a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on Head Chef to redefine the guest dining experience.

You will lead a team of five, oversee all culinary operations for the hotel’s main restaurant, bar, and events, and create a modern British-Western European menu using seasonal produce. Live-in accommodation is not available; daily commuting to central London is required.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen team to deliver high-quality dining experiences.
• Strong knowledge of British and Western European cuisine and techniques.
• Proven ability to manage costs, procurement, and inventory in a busy kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of five in a hands-on Head Chef role.
• Oversee all culinary operations for main restaurant, bar, and events (M&E).
• Create a modern British-Western European menu focused on fresh, seasonal produce.
• Uphold top food quality, presentation, and hygiene standards.
• Manage kitchen budgets, food and labour costs, and profitability for F&B.
• Collaborate with the Food & Beverage Manager to ensure guest satisfaction.

Skills

Team leadership

Menu planning

Kitchen operations

Food safety & hygiene

Budget management

Culinary knowledge (British & Western)

Job description

Salary / Rate of pay: £55,000 to £60,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Platinum Recruitment is working in partnership with an elegant townhouse hotel set in the heart of the South Kensington area of London, and we have a fantastic opportunity for a hands‑on Head Chef to join their team and redefine the guest dining experience.

What’s in it for you?

• Share of service charge
• Company pension
• Training and development opportunities

Package

• £55,000 to £60,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Why choose our Client?

Set in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in central London, just a few minutes’ walk from Hyde Park and Knightsbridge, our client is an elegant townhouse hotel that prides itself on delivering a memorable dining experience that complements their luxurious amenities.

The hotel has a bistro-style restaurant which is open to both residents and non-residents alike and is open from breakfast which serves an average of 110 covers per day. The hotel also offers an all-day dining menu featuring a selection of light bites, sandwiches, and sharing platters, and then later, an a la carte menu featuring British and Western Mediterranean dishes, made using locally sourced produce.

The hotel also caters for an average of 10-20 afternoon tea covers per day and has meeting and events facilities for up to 60.

Please note, live in accommodation is not available with this position, therefore candidates should only apply if they are able to commute to the central London area on a daily basis.

What’s involved? With minimal paperwork involved, this is a hands‑on Head Chef opportunity. This is your chance to create a modern British-Western European menu that blends tradition with innovation and a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients – all within a stylish, intimate setting that attracts global travellers, business elites, and discerning locals.

As the Head Chef leading a team of 5, you will be responsible for overseeing all culinary operations within the hotel, including the main restaurant, bar, and M&E.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Team leadership, including recruiting, training, mentoring, and motivating a high-performing kitchen brigade.
• Managing all aspects of kitchen operations, including inventory control, procurement, waste management, and equipment maintenance, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Menu creation for the bistro-style restaurant, showcasing a variety of British and Western European dishes.
• Upholding the highest standards of food quality, presentation, and hygiene, ensuring compliance with all food safety regulations.
• Managing kitchen budgets, controlling food and labour costs, and contributing to the overall profitability of the food and beverage department.
• Working closely with the Food & Beverage Manager to ensure guest satisfaction and address any culinary feedback promptly and professionally.
• Ensuring a safe working environment for all kitchen staff, adhering to all health and safety guidelines.

The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of French, Spanish or Italian cuisines and their cooking techniques, excellent communication, leadership, and management skills, with a track record of building and developing successful kitchen teams, and thorough knowledge of food safety and hygiene regulations.

Please note, live in accommodation is not available with this position; therefore candidates should only apply if they are able to commute to the London area on a daily basis.

Job Number: 22535 / INDCHEFS

Job Role: Head Chef

Location: London