Head Chef

Eden Hotel Collection; Stratford-upon-Avon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious hotel group in Stratford-upon-Avon is seeking a Head Chef to lead the culinary direction of their 2 AA Rosette brasserie. The successful candidate will be passionate about delivering exceptional, ethically sourced cuisine and fostering an engaging, inclusive kitchen culture. Responsibilities include managing daily kitchen operations, inspiring a team, and nurturing talent. This role offers generous time off, health benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional growth within a recognized hospitality brand.

Benefits

Generous Time Off

Monthly Tips

Discounts & Perks

Health & Wellness Plans

Sustainable Commuting

Exclusive EHC Perks

Family-Friendly Policies

Everyday Essentials

Qualifications

• Proven experience working at 2–3 AA Rosette level.
• Strong passion for food, seasonality and ethically sourced produce.
• Ability to motivate and develop a diverse kitchen brigade.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring high standards.
• Inspire pride and collaboration within the kitchen team.
• Nurture talent and motivate team members for personal and professional development.

Skills

Leading a kitchen team

Creativity in cooking

Excellent time management

Organizational skills

Approachable leadership style

Passion for ethically sourced produce

Education

Professional Cookery qualification (Level 3-4)

Job description

**We’re proud winners of the AA Small Hotel Group of the year 2024-25, rated as a Top 30 Best Place to Work in Hospitality 2024 by The Caterer, and recently crowned Best Employer at the 2025 Springboard Awards for Excellence**

What you’ll be doing?

As Head Chef, you will lead the culinary direction of our 2 AA Rosette brasserie, playing a pivotal role within the senior kitchen leadership team. You’ll take ownership of day‑to‑day kitchen operations – planning, organising and prioritising workloads – while confidently delegating and developing your brigade to deliver consistently exceptional food.

Drawing on your experience in a similar rosette‑standard environment, you’ll bring creativity, innovation and attention to detail to every dish, ensuring standards are upheld at all times. You’ll lead from the front, inspiring pride in the kitchen and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

You’ll be passionate about nurturing talent, motivating your team to perform at their best and supporting both personal and professional development across all levels of the brigade.

EHC is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We actively welcome applications from under‑represented groups and would particularly encourage applications from female chefs to help strengthen representation within our kitchens.

What you’ll need?

To succeed as our Head Chef, you’ll be a confident, professional leader with a genuine passion for delivering Rosette‑standard cuisine and creating a positive, high‑performing kitchen culture.

You’ll bring:

• Proven experience working at 2–3 AA Rosette level, within a professional and fast‑paced kitchen environment
• A Professional Cookery qualification (Level 3–4) or equivalent demonstrable experience
• A strong passion for food, seasonality and ethically sourced produce, with pride in presentation and execution
• The ability to lead, organise and inspire a brigade – ensuring food is well‑prepped, services run smoothly and standards are never compromised
• Excellent time management, planning and organisational skills, with the ability to remain calm under pressure
• A supportive, approachable leadership style, with a genuine commitment to developing Apprentices, Commis Chefs and future talent
• A modern, people‑first approach to kitchen leadership, creating an inclusive and engaging working environment while working collaboratively with the wider hotel team

What’s in it for you?

At Eden Hotel Collection, we’re proud of our award‑winning approach to employee wellbeing, engagement, and recognition (with industry award winsin 2023, 2024 and 2025!)—which means you’re joining a team that values your happiness, growth, and success every step of the way.

• Generous Time Off: 31 days of leave, increasing to 33 with service.
• Monthly Tips: Fairly shared service charge/gratuities, all paid on second paydate in the month.
• Discounts & Perks: Exclusive savings at 800+ retailers, gyms, restaurants, days out, and utilities.
• Wellbeing Center: Access to Hello Fresh recipes, fitness videos, and financial planning tools.
• Health & Wellness Plans: Dental, vision, alternative care, and 24/7 GP access.
• Sustainable Commuting: Cycle‑to‑Work and Electric Vehicle Leasing options.
• Exclusive EHC Perks: Discounted stays, spa treatments, golf, and leisure at our properties.
• The Happy Hub: Our reward and recognition platform where you can send peer‑to‑peer cards, earn monetary rewards, be celebrated as Employee of the Month, and receive long‑service vouchers.
• Genuine Wellbeing Support: We’re here to support your financial, mental, and physical wellbeing both via our supportive teams and Hospitality Action.
• Employee Comm’s: Stay connected through Eden Engage for all the latest team news.
• Grow with Eden: Develop with us through apprenticeships and leadership programs like RISE & THRIVE.
• Family‑Friendly Policies: Enhanced leave and return‑to‑work financial support for life’s key moments.
• Everyday Essentials: Free parking, meals on duty, uniform provided and a footwear allowance.

A Culture of Collaboration and Care

We work together to create a truly inclusive workplace, where your voice matters, and real change happens:

• Your Voice Matters: Regular surveys that valueyourinput.
• Real Action: “You said, we did”—because we listen and respond.
• Sustainability Focus: Employee champions at every hotel and HQ.

We’re proud members of the Hoteliers’ Charter, and our team is always at the heart of what we do, guided by our values of Heart, Honesty, Spirit, and Team.

Our commitment to equity means we welcome talent from all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and we encourage applications from all communities, including underrepresented groups, parents, people living with disabilities, and those bringing diverse perspectives. Join us to experience what it means to work for a values‑led, award‑winning employer.

Want to get a flavour for Eden Hotel Collection? Give us a follow on Linked in.

INDHP