Head Chef

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

Benefits offered by this job

Salary from £38,000+

Permanent, full-time position

Training and leadership development

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

Job summary

Platinum Recruitment Consultancy Ltd is seeking a Head Chef in Southend-on-Sea to lead an established hotel kitchen and shape the food offering. You’ll influence menus, standards and guest experience while cultivating a positive kitchen culture.

This role covers restaurant service, private functions, weddings and events. You’ll manage costs, recruit and develop the team, and collaborate with other departments to deliver standout dining and event experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience in menu planning, recipe development and food presentation.
• Good understanding of budgets and kitchen resources.
• Excellent food safety, hygiene and allergen knowledge.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Creativity to meet dietary requirements.
• Genuine passion for developing people and delivering memorable food.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team.
• Plan menus and create 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.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Food cost control

Food safety knowledge

Communication

Creativity

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 knowledge
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Creativity and the ability to meet different dietary requirements
• A genuine passion for developing people and delivering memorable food