Head Chef - Lead Creative Kitchen & Menu

KSB Recruitment; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Service charge included

Paid overtime

40-hour week

Historic hotel setting

Cambridge city centre location

Job summary

KSB Recruitment is seeking an experienced Head Chef for a luxury hotel in Cambridge. You will lead a 66-cover restaurant kitchen, take ownership of the menu, and shape the dining offering with a hands-on leadership style.

You will oversee service, food quality, costs, HACCP compliance, and team development, reporting to the General Manager. A creative, commercially minded chef is essential for a growing operation in the historic city centre.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or senior Sous Chef ready to advance.
• Strong cooking skills with fresh ingredients.
• Experience developing menus and introducing new dishes.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a kitchen team.
• Knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergen requirements.

Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for day-to-day kitchen operations and service delivery.
• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team to a high standard.
• Develop and evolve the restaurant menu with seasonal dishes.
• Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation and prep.
• Manage ordering, suppliers, stock control and kitchen purchasing.
• Monitor food costs and gross profit to meet targets.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene, HACCP and allergen compliance.
• Keep kitchen documentation and compliance systems up to date.
• Schedule kitchen rotas and staffing for services.
• Train junior chefs and promote consistency across the team.
• Collaborate with the General Manager to improve processes.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

Food cost control

HACCP & allergen knowledge

Team development

Service leadership

Job description

KSB Recruitment is seeking an experienced Head Chef for a luxury hotel in Cambridge. You will lead a 66-cover restaurant kitchen, take ownership of the menu, and shape the dining offering with a hands-on leadership style.

You will oversee service, food quality, costs, HACCP compliance, and team development, reporting to the General Manager. A creative, commercially minded chef is essential for a growing operation in the historic city centre.