Head Chef

Hand Picked Hotels; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Service charge

Career development

28 days holiday

Uniform provided

Meals on shift

Free onsite parking

Wellbeing support

Pension

Job summary

Hand Picked Hotels is seeking a knowledgeable Head Chef for Crathorne Hall Hotel in North Yorkshire. Lead a luxury kitchen, drive seasonal menus and exceptional guest experiences, while mentoring a high-performing culinary team in a supportive, collaborative environment.

You will oversee operations, maintain high standards of presentation and flavour, and contribute to the hotel’s renowned service and reputation for excellence in luxury hospitality.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading high-performing professional kitchens and teams.
• Advanced culinary or hospitality qualifications preferred.
• Strong leadership, organisational and operational skills for luxury hospitality.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of an exceptional culinary experience for guests across the hotel outlets.
• Design and oversee dishes that reflect creativity, quality and seasonal variety; maintain presentation and flavour standards.
• Provide training, guidance and inspirational leadership to the culinary team.
• Manage kitchen operations, maintain supplier relationships, monitor stock and costs, and create bespoke menus.

Job description

Head Chef- Crathorne Hall Hotel

Salary: Competitive + service charge + excellent colleague benefits

Job Type: Full-time | Permanent | 5 days out of 7

Come and join our Team... We are currently seeking a knowledgeable and enthusiastic Head Chef at Crathorne Hall Hotel, part of Hand Picked Hotels.

Location: Yarm, North Yorkshire, TS15 0AR

Crathorne Hall offers an exceptional environment for professionals who want to be part of something truly special. With its Edwardian grandeur, breathtaking views, and award-winning service, working here means becoming part of a story that spans generations.

Whether you’re working in the kitchen, front of house, events, housekeeping, or management, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a passionate, welcoming team who support one another and take pride in everything they do.

As a member of our team, you will help create unforgettable moments for guests as they explore our tranquil grounds, celebrate special events, and enjoy our personalised service, with an emphasis on service, excellence & consistency.

If you’re passionate about hospitality, thrive in a supportive environment, and enjoy making a real difference to someone’s stay, Crathorne Hall Hotel offers an inspiring place to grow your career.

What will the role involve?

The role of a Head Chef at Crathorne Hall Hotel involves leading the delivery of an exceptional culinary experience for guests, ensuring that all menus reflect creativity, quality, and seasonal diversity. The Head Chef will design and oversee dishes that complement the hotel’s luxury offering, providing expert leadership in the kitchen and maintaining outstanding standards of presentation and flavour.

As Head Chef your role will focus on supporting and developing the culinary team through training, guidance, and inspirational leadership. Responsibilities also include managing kitchen operations, maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, monitoring stock and costs, and creating bespoke menus across the hotels outlets that enhance the overall guest experience and uphold the hotel’s reputation for excellence in luxury hospitality.

This is a full-time role working 5 days out of 7 including weekends on a rota basis, 40 hours per week, which may vary depending on business.

Flexible working hours can be accommodated where possible.

What’s in it for you?

• A competitive salary plus a share of service charge.
• A welcoming, inclusive culture where long-term friendships and diversity are celebrated.
• Ongoing career development with in-house and external training, including apprenticeships and industry-recognised courses.
• 28 days holiday per year including bank holidays, increasing to 33 days including bank holidays with length of service.
• Uniform and meals on shift provided.
• Free onsite parking (where applicable).
• Access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Company pension, enhanced sick pay & Life assurance scheme.
• Online retail discount platform offering thousands of savings with high street retailers and restaurants as well as a health and well-being platform.
• Discounted stays in our hotels and on food, drink, spa treatments & products.
• Annual loyalty awards (like afternoon teas and overnight stays).
• Introduction bonus for new colleague recommendations.
• Colleague of the Month awards, which leads to our annual awards ceremony.
• Regular team gatherings and appreciation events.

Are you Hand Picked?

• We are looking for active and enthusiastic candidates that have a willing attitude and a welcoming and friendly nature. We work as a team to ensure our hotel operates smoothly and our guests are receiving a high-quality, personalised, and magical experience that they remember, recommend and return to time and time again.
• You will have significant experience leading high-performing professional kitchens, ideally supported by advanced culinary or hospitality qualifications. As a Head Chef, you will demonstrate exceptional leadership, strategic kitchen management, and a strong commitment to culinary excellence and innovation. You will bring outstanding organisational and operational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a genuine passion for delivering exceptional food and hospitality experiences while mentoring and developing your team.
• We want people that are passionate, showing the ability to go above and beyond naturally, that take pride in delivering consistently high standards and pay attention to all the details, with a focus on service, excellent and consistency as the everyday.

Who We Are…

Hand Picked Hotels was founded in 2001 by owner and Chairman, Julia Hands MBE, and today still remains a family-owned group which has 21 unique luxury country houses and coastal retreats, each hand picked for their individuality. Architecturally distinctive and quintessentially British, every hotel boasts an extraordinary location from Scotland to the Channel Islands, offering breathtaking views from vast countryside to expansive beaches, to lush woodlands.

Dedicated to creating unique and enchanting stays, curated personalised service runs through the heart of every hotel. Whilst each hotel is individual, each property fulfils the company values of family, individuality, community and care, with a team commitment to aiming higher and delight their guests with magical experiences that offer a true escape from the every day.

Hand Picked Hotels are committed to protecting the environment for a sustainable future, and all of our hotels have received the ‘Green Tourism’ accreditation. A Recognition of our progress in reducing energy use and waste, supporting biodiversity, and sourcing responsibly from local and ethical partners.

Hand Picked Hotels is an Equal Opportunities employer. Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.