Hotel Head Chef

DDH Recruitment Ltd; Wroxton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Live-in accommodation

Job summary

Boutique Village Hotel in Banbury, Oxfordshire, is seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen, shape menus and uphold high dining standards. You will oversee restaurant, breakfast and banqueting services, guiding a brigade and collaborating with management and sales teams to deliver an exceptional guest experience.

The role requires proven Head Chef experience in a quality setting, strong leadership, and a passion for locally sourced ingredients.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef in a quality-led restaurant, hotel or gastro pub.
• Strong leadership with ability to manage a brigade.
• Experience in menu development using local ingredients.
• Ability to perform under pressure in a busy kitchen.
• Banqueting and events experience.
• Passion for food and a drive to continuously improve.

Responsibilities

• Leading the kitchen and overseeing food preparation, cooking and presentation in the restaurant.
• Developing seasonal menus built around high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.
• Planning and delivering banqueting, weddings and events alongside the banquet manager.
• Overseeing breakfast preparation and service.
• Managing, training and developing the kitchen brigade, including the second chef and commis chefs.
• Ensuring food reaches guests to a consistently high standard and in a timely manner.
• Enforcing food safety, health and hygiene standards throughout the kitchen.
• Managing stock, ordering and food costs.
• Supporting the sales and marketing team with menus and food-led promotions.
• Troubleshooting any issues in the kitchen to keep service running smoothly.

Job description

Head Chef

Boutique Village Hotel — Banbury, Oxfordshire

Location: Banbury, Oxfordshire

Salary: £40,000 per annum

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Live-In / Accommodation: Available at £80 per week

Overview

Set in a picturesque village near Banbury, this boutique hotel offers a unique blend of history and sophistication. Stylish rooms and suites, tranquil gardens and a fine dining restaurant built around locally sourced ingredients make it a popular choice for weddings, special occasions and relaxing getaways.

The hotel is now looking for an accomplished Head Chef to lead the kitchen, shape the menus and maintain the high standards that have made its restaurant so well regarded.

The Role

As Head Chef you will take full responsibility for the kitchen, from menu development and food quality through to leading and developing the brigade. You will oversee restaurant, breakfast and banqueting service, working closely with the hotel's management, banqueting and sales teams to deliver an exceptional experience for every guest.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the kitchen and overseeing food preparation, cooking and presentation in the restaurant.


• Developing seasonal menus built around high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.


• Planning and delivering banqueting, weddings and events alongside the banquet manager.


• Overseeing breakfast preparation and service.


• Managing, training and developing the kitchen brigade, including the second chef and commis chefs.


• Ensuring food reaches guests to a consistently high standard and in a timely manner.


• Enforcing food safety, health and hygiene standards throughout the kitchen.


• Managing stock, ordering and food costs.


• Supporting the sales and marketing team with menus and food-led promotions.


• Troubleshooting any issues in the kitchen to keep service running smoothly.

Key Requirements

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, or a strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step up, in a quality-led restaurant, hotel or gastro pub.


• A genuine passion for food, with personal drive and enthusiasm.


• Experience of running a kitchen in an extremely busy establishment for lunch and dinner.


• The ability to perform in a highly renowned restaurant and cope well under pressure.


• Strong leadership skills, with experience of training and developing a team.


• Banqueting and events experience.


• A consistent performer with great attention to detail.


• A team player with a bright personality.

What's On Offer

• £40,000 per annum.


• Live-in accommodation available at £80 per week.


• The chance to lead the kitchen at a respected boutique hotel with a fine dining restaurant.


• Creative input into menus built around locally sourced produce.


• A full-time, permanent role in a picturesque Oxfordshire village.