Head Chef - W London

TN United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading hotel as the Head of Kitchen, where you'll lead a dynamic culinary team at W London. This role demands creativity and precision, ensuring exceptional dining experiences while managing kitchen operations and team performance. You'll be responsible for menu creation, food safety, and staff training, all while fostering an inclusive and innovative kitchen culture.

Benefits

Complimentary Meals

Monthly Service Charge

Access to Training Resources

Apprenticeship Opportunities

23 Days Holiday

Uniform Provided

Company Pension Scheme

Emotional Wellbeing Resources

Awards and Recognition Celebrations

Marriott Hotel Discounts

Qualifications

• Natural-born leader with a passion for culinary innovation.
• Master of detail, ensuring food safety and hygiene.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily kitchen operations and manages the culinary team.
• Crafts menus and ensures high-quality food presentation.
• Trains and develops kitchen staff while maintaining safety standards.

Skills

Leadership

Creativity

Organizational Skills

Attention to Detail

Job description

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To be considered for this role, all applicants must have a valid right to work in the United Kingdom.

Are you ready to level up and lead our culinary team at W London?

At W London, we don’t just serve food – we serve experiences. As the Head of Kitchen, you're not just behind the pass – you're at the heart of the flavour, the flair, and the flawless service that defines our culinary edge. You'll bring passion, creativity, and precision to every plate while leading a team that’s just as bold as the dishes we serve.

You're accountable for the overall success of the daily kitchen operations across all our dining spaces. You’ll also keep a sharp eye on support areas like the dish room and purchasing – every cog in the machine matters.

You Are:

• A natural-born leader who can handle the heat and still bring the cool.
• Passionate about flavour, design, and shaking things up in the culinary world.
• Organised, efficient, and always looking for the next opportunity to innovate.
• Someone who leads by example – sleeves up, hands-on, all-in.
• A master of detail, from the seasoning on a scallop to the sanitation log in the kitchen office.

Core Responsibilities

Keeping the Kitchen Shipshape & Standards Top-Notch

• Whips up a variety of delicious dishes – from daily classics to showstoppers for special guests and events.
• Tweaks kitchen systems and routines to keep things running smoother than a buttered scone.
• Crafts fresh menus and recipes, mixing standards with a dash of culinary flair.
• Knows quality ingredients, top-notch presentation and banging flavours like the back of their hand.
• Sticks to all the rules when it comes to food safety and hygiene – no shortcuts here.
• Makes sure every law and regulation is followed to the letter.
• Handles food properly and ensures it’s kept at just the right temperature – not too hot, not too cold.
• Lives and breathes the brand’s safety standards.
• Oversees kitchen shifts and makes sure everyone’s playing by the Food & Beverage rulebook.
• Keeps an eye on stock coming in and out, ensuring it’s all stored and handled properly.
• Looks after all the kitchen gear – reports anything on the fritz.
• Helps cut down on waste and keep portions on point – good for the planet and the bottom line.
• Champions eco-friendly kitchen habits, from prep to power use to managing waste.
• Checks the quality of every ingredient and dish – only the best leaves the pass.
• Helps design how the food is plated and comes up with creative displays for that wow factor.

Leading the Culinary Crew

• Leads the kitchen team, keeping everything coordinated and everyone in high spirits.
• Uses solid people skills to guide, inspire and rally the team – honesty and integrity at the heart of it all.
• Runs the show day-to-day and knows the ropes well enough to jump in when needed.
• Builds trust and camaraderie within the team – we’re all in this together.
• Leads by example, setting the standard for professional behaviour.
• Keeps team performance ticking along nicely.
• Ensures every dish meets the brand’s top-tier presentation and prep standards.
• Keeps communication open and friendly among the whole crew.
• Plans out what needs cooking each day and makes sure the team’s in the loop.
• Takes the reins during service while getting stuck in with cooking and guest requests.

Smashing Culinary Goals

• Hits – and aims to exceed – all set targets: whether it’s performance, budgets, or team goals.
• Puts plans in place to get things done efficiently and effectively.
• Understands how budgets, payroll and operating costs affect the bigger picture.
• Schedules shifts based on business needs and keeps track of hours worked.
• Knows how the kitchen’s performance impacts the wider business and manages accordingly.
• Orders uniforms within budget and makes sure they’re well looked after.
• Keeps staffing levels spot-on to meet service, operational and financial goals.
• Always goes the extra mile to wow the guests and keep them coming back.
• Runs daily ops to meet and exceed guest expectations with top quality and consistency.
• Boosts service by helping staff better understand what guests want – offers guidance, feedback, and support.
• Leads by example when it comes to guest interactions.
• Handles any guest grumbles with grace and professionalism.
• Constantly looks for ways to raise the bar in service.
• Makes sure staff are regularly trained to meet – and exceed – guest expectations.

Supporting the Team’s Growth & Development

• Spots growth opportunities for team members and helps them level up their skills.
• Designs and delivers training sessions to boost team knowledge and confidence.
• Gets involved in hiring the right people with the right attitude and skills.
• Takes part in performance reviews and gives constructive feedback.
• Keeps the door open for honest feedback and takes staff concerns seriously.
• Helps train staff on menu items – from ingredients to prep to flavour profiles – so everyone’s in the know.

Your Perks at W London

• Meals - Tasty and Varied Complimentary Meals in our Green Room canteen.
• Service Charge - Paid each month!
• Learning and Growing - Access to the best digital and classroom based training resources and cross exposure opportunities
• Apprenticeships - Opportunities to undertake an apprenticeship to support your development in your role.
• Holiday - 23 days of holiday excluding public holidays (increase to 27 days with length of service
• Uniform Provided - Dry cleaning included.
• Company Pension Scheme – Save for your future.
• Take Care - Access to our Take Care Emotional Wellbeing Resources & Associate Assistance Service
• Celebrate - Awards and Recognition Celebrations
• BenefitHub - Access to further discounts for shopping, cinema tickets, technology and more!
• Events - Monthly Calendar of Associate Focused & Fun Events
• Long Service Recognition - Dedicated appreciation events for when you reach career milestones within the company.
• Global Marriott Hotel Discounts – Accessible to you and your loved ones, travel the world with Marriott International.
• Food & Beverage Discounts - 20% Discount in all F&B outlets within Marriott Properties
• Spa Discounts – 30% discount in our Away Spa

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer.We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture.We are committed to non-discrimination onanyprotectedbasis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.