Head Chef

Platinum Recruitment Consultancy; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hotel dining discounts

Flexible working opportunities

Sick pay

Staff meals

Paid breaks

Free parking

Fitness facilities

Wellbeing support

Career development

Job summary

Platinum Recruitment Consultancy is seeking a Head Chef in Southend-on-Sea to own the hotel kitchen, lead a talented team and influence menus, standards, and the guest experience. The role covers restaurant service, private functions, weddings and events, with scope to shape food offering while keeping costs and quality on track.

You will oversee menu planning, team development and cost control in a varied, guest-focused environment, ensuring high standards of safety and allergen management

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a multi-role kitchen.
• Experience planning menus and managing costs.
• Strong food safety, hygiene and allergen knowledge.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to develop people and deliver memorable dining.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop kitchen team.
• Plan menus and ensure high-quality dishes.
• Manage food costs, stock and labour.
• Maintain food safety and allergen standards.
• Collaborate with hotel departments for events.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Cost management

Food safety

Team development

Communication

Budgeting

Allergen knowledge

Job description

Head Chef, _ take ownership of an ambitious Hotel kitchen in Southend-on-Sea, earning £38,000 +

Are you ready to lead a talented kitchen team while having the freedom to influence menus, standards and the guest experience? This Head Chef opportunity in Southend-on-Sea offers a varied leadership role covering restaurant service, private functions, weddings and events.

What's in it for you?

• Salary from £38,000, depending on experience
• Permanent, full-time position working 45 hours per week
• Training and leadership development opportunities
• Hotel and dining discounts
• Flexible working opportunities
• Financial and wellbeing support
• Company sick pay
• Staff meals and paid breaks
• Free on-site parking
• Access to fitness facilities

Your new role:

As Head Chef, you'll oversee the kitchen operation for an established Hotel in Southend-on-Sea. You'll have the opportunity to shape the food offering, develop your team and create a positive kitchen culture while keeping quality, costs and performance on track.

You will:

• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team
• Plan menus and create consistently high-quality dishes
• Manage food costs, stock, labour and kitchen budgets
• Maintain excellent food safety, hygiene and allergen standards
• Recruit, train and support kitchen team members
• Work closely with other departments to deliver successful dining and event experiences

What we're looking for:

The successful Head Chef will bring strong culinary knowledge and proven leadership experience to this Southend-on-Sea operation. You'll be commercially aware, organised and confident leading a team within a varied, guest-focused environment.

You'll also need:

• Experience in menu planning, recipe development and food presentation
• A good understanding of budgets and kitchen resources
• Excellent food safety, hygiene and allergen knowledgeStrong communication and organisational skills
• Creativity and the ability to meet different dietary requirements
• A genuine passion for developing people and delivering memorable food

Job Number: 48980 / INDCHEFS