Head Chef

Hand Picked Hotels; Stratford-upon-Avon; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + service charge

28 days’ holiday (33 with service)

Uniform and meals on duty

Spa access

On-site parking

Pension and life assurance

Job summary

Hand Picked Hotels is seeking an accomplished Head Chef for Ettington Park Hotel near Stratford-upon-Avon. You will lead the culinary team, shape seasonal menus and drive exceptional dining experiences in a luxury setting.

You will partner with the General Manager to deliver outstanding standards, nurture talent, manage costs and build lasting supplier relationships to support the hotel's premium offer.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading a high-performing kitchen, ideally in a luxury hotel or premium environment.
• Advanced culinary or hospitality qualifications would be an advantage.
• Strong commercial and operational judgement with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Set the culinary vision and lead day‑to‑day delivery in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Develop seasonal menus that reflect luxury positioning and consistency.
• Lead, coach and develop the kitchen brigade to perform at their best.
• Oversee kitchen operations, food safety, supplier relationships and cost management.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

Cost control

Supplier relations

Team development

Education

Advanced culinary qualifications

Job description

Highly competitive salary + service charge + exceptional colleague benefits

Full-time, permanent | 45 hours per week | 5 days out of 7

Hand Picked Hotels is looking for an accomplished and inspiring Head Chef to lead the culinary experience at Ettington Park Hotel near Stratford-upon-Avon.

Set within 40 acres of private parkland and woodland on the edge of the Cotswolds, Ettington Park is a remarkable Neo-Gothic country house where rich heritage meets relaxed, contemporary luxury. Its dramatic architecture, beautiful grounds and warm, personal service create an inspiring setting in which to shape the next chapter of an outstanding culinary career.

As Head Chef, you will bring the character of this distinctive hotel to life through memorable food and dining experiences. From elegant restaurant service and afternoon tea to weddings, celebrations and private dining, you will champion outstanding British produce, seasonality and consistency, creating occasions guests remember long after they leave.

You will join at an exciting point in Ettington Park's journey, working alongside General Manager Graeme Nesbitt following his recent internal move into the role. Graeme's progression reflects our commitment to recognising talent and creating meaningful careers across Hand Picked Hotels. Together, you will shape an ambitious culinary direction for the hotel, supported by a family-owned collection that values individuality, collaboration and genuine care.

What will the role involve?

Working in close partnership with Graeme and the hotel's senior leadership team, you will set the culinary vision and lead its day-to-day delivery. Combining creativity with sound commercial judgement, you will develop seasonal menus that complement Ettington Park's luxury positioning while maintaining exceptional standards of flavour, presentation, provenance and consistency.

You will lead, coach and develop the kitchen brigade, creating a positive and inclusive environment in which people can perform at their best and build lasting careers. You will oversee kitchen operations and food safety, develop trusted supplier relationships, and manage food, labour and stock costs with precision. Across the restaurant, afternoon tea, private dining, weddings and events, every menu will reflect the quality and individuality of Ettington Park.

This is a full-time, permanent role of 45 hours per week, worked across five days out of seven, including weekends on a rota. Hours may vary in line with the needs of the business.

What's in it for you?

• A highly competitive salary, plus a share of service charge.
• A welcoming and inclusive culture where individuality, diversity and long-standing friendships are celebrated.
• Thoughtful career development through in-house and external training, apprenticeships and industry-recognised courses.
• 28 days’ holiday per year, including bank holidays, rising to 33 days with length of service.
• Uniform and meals while on duty.
• Complimentary access to the spa, subject to restrictions.
• Free on-site parking, where available.
• Confidential wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Company pension, enhanced sick pay and life assurance.
• Access to online retail, dining, health and wellbeing savings.
• Preferential rates on hotel stays, dining, drinks, spa treatments and products.
• Annual loyalty awards, including afternoon teas and overnight stays.
• Colleague of the Month recognition, leading to our annual awards ceremony.
• Regular team gatherings and appreciation events.

Are you Hand Picked?

• You are a warm, visible and accomplished culinary leader who knows that exceptional hospitality is created through outstanding food, genuine care and a team that feels valued.
• You bring significant experience leading a high-performing professional kitchen, ideally within a luxury hotel, destination restaurant or comparable premium environment. Advanced culinary or hospitality qualifications would be an advantage.
• You combine creativity with strong commercial and operational judgement. You are organised, attentive to detail and confident balancing innovation with the consistency our guests expect.
• You take pride in developing people, building an inclusive kitchen culture and setting clear standards that inspire your team to succeed.
• Above all, you are naturally guest-focused and excited by the opportunity to work in partnership with Graeme to build the next chapter of Ettington Park's food story.

Who we are

Founded in 2001 by owner and Chairman Julia Hands MBE, Hand Picked Hotels is a family-owned collection of 25 distinctive luxury country houses and coastal retreats. Each property has been chosen for its individuality, architectural character and extraordinary setting, from sweeping countryside and secluded woodland to dramatic coastal views across the UK and the Channel Islands.

Personal, intuitive service lies at the heart of every stay. While no two hotels are alike, each is united by our values of family, individuality, community and care, and by a shared ambition to create gracious, enchanting experiences that offer a true escape from the everyday.

We are equally committed to protecting the places in which we operate. Every Hand Picked Hotel has achieved Green Tourism accreditation, recognising our continued progress in reducing energy use and waste, supporting biodiversity and sourcing responsibly from local and ethical partners.

Begin your next chapter

If you are an experienced Head Chef ready to lead with imagination, warmth and purpose, we would be delighted to hear from you. Join Graeme and the team at Ettington Park Hotel and help shape dining experiences worthy of this exceptional setting.

Hand Picked Hotels is an equal opportunities employer. Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK.