Head Chef

Glen Affric Estate; Inverness; Hybride; GBP 60 000 - 85 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The Tomich Hotel, part of Glen Affric Estate, is launching a brand-new kitchen in a luxurious Highland setting. We are seeking a Head Chef to shape the culinary identity, blending traditional Scottish fare with modern techniques for residents, locals, and exclusive estate guests.

You will lead a back-of-house team, design menus, manage costs, and expand outdoor dining with live-fire cooking using Argentinian grills, Big Green Egg BBQs, and wood-fired ovens.

Qualifications

• Proven Head Chef or strong Sous Chef experience in boutique hotel, luxury estate, or rosette-standard restaurant.
• Deep knowledge of Scottish ingredients, butchery, and seasonal sourcing.
• Experience with outdoor cooking equipment such as live-fire grills, smokers, and wood-fired ovens is advantageous.
• Understanding of kitchen financials, GP percentages, stock rotation, and labor management.

Responsabilités

• Menu development for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner with a Scottish-modern focus.
• Establish and maintain relationships with local Highland suppliers and estate ingredients.
• Lead outdoor dining & live-fire cooking with artisanal equipment.
• Oversee stock control, waste management, supplier orders, and food cost targets.
• Recruit, train, and mentor back-of-house teams; uphold high kitchen standards.
• Maintain food hygiene, health & safety compliance and EH documentation.

Connaissances

Head Chef experience

Scottish produce

Live-fire cooking

Cost control

Leadership

Adaptability

Description du poste

A career opportunity at Glen Affric Estate

Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, The Tomich Hotel is undergoing a high-end renovation ahead of its reopening this June. As part of the prestigious Glen Affric Estate, it will offer a luxury Highland experience that blends traditional rustic charm with exceptional modern hospitality, alongside destination dining that celebrates the best of the local landscape, from estate-reared game and premium Scottish seafood to seasonal ingredients, authentic flavours, and memorable outdoor culinary experiences.

The role

We are seeking a passionate, creative, and forward-thinking Head Chef to take the reins of our brand-new kitchen. This is a unique, blank-canvas opportunity to shape the culinary identity of a newly revitalised Highland hotel.

You will design and execute menus that reflect the estate’s heritage, catering to hotel residents, locals, and exclusive estate guests. A key highlight of this role will be managing and expanding our outdoor culinary offerings, utilising professional-grade equipment including Argentinian grills, Big Green Egg BBQs, and Gozney pizza ovens to create immersive, high-end alfresco dining experiences.

Key responsibilities

• Menu Development: Design, cost, and execute innovative menus for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner, ensuring a focus on traditional Scottish cuisine with a modern twist.


• Estate & Local Sourcing: Establish and maintain strong relationships with local Highland suppliers, integrating estate-reared game, wild venison, and seasonal Scottish produce into daily offerings.


• Outdoor Dining & Live Fire Cooking: Lead and champion our outdoor kitchen concept, developing creative menus tailored for live-fire grilling, smoking, and artisanal wood-fired cooking.


• Kitchen Management: Oversee all daily kitchen operations, including stock control, waste management, supplier ordering, and maintaining strict food cost percentages to achieve profitability targets.


• Team Leadership: Recruit, train, mentor, and inspire a dedicated back-of-house team, fostering a positive, collaborative, and high-standard kitchen culture.


• Health & Safety: Maintain impeccable standards of food hygiene, health and safety, and compliance, ensuring full adherence to all environmental health regulations and documentation.

Experience & skills required

• Proven Track Record: Experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef in a high-quality, boutique hotel, luxury estate, or rosette-standard restaurant.


• Passion for Scottish Produce: Deep knowledge of and respect for Scottish ingredients, butchery, and seasonal sourcing.


• Live-Fire Cooking Experience: Genuine interest or hands-on experience with outdoor culinary equipment (live-fire grills, smokers, and wood-fired ovens) is highly advantageous.


• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of kitchen financials, including GP percentages, stock rotation, labor management, and cost control.


• Leadership Skills: A calm, structured, and motivational management style with excellent communication skills.


• Adaptability: The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing a busy hotel restaurant with bespoke private events and outdoor dining setups.

What we offer

• A highly competitive salary based on experience.


• The rare opportunity to build, launch, and leave your mark on a brand-new kitchen concept from day one.


• A stunning working environment surrounded by the natural beauty of the Glen Affric Estate.


• Supportive management dedicated to high-end estate hospitality.


• Opportunities for professional growth as the estate’s hospitality portfolio evolves.

To apply

If you are a talented chef ready to lead a fresh kitchen team and create a premier dining destination in the Highlands, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your culinary philosophy and experience to the Management Team.

Head Chef

The Tomich Hotel & Glen Affric Estate

Department Chef

Role type Full-time, Permanent

Availability Immediate · Ahead of our July 2026 opening

ROLE POSTED ON 28th May 2026, 12:01