Hotel Kitchen Team Leader

Whitbread; North East; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and support

Apprenticeships

Whitbread Benefits card

Pension and saving schemes

Discounts

Job summary

Whitbread is hiring a Kitchen Team Leader for Durham City Centre Premier Inn to run the kitchen, oversee rotas, orders and quality control. You will lead busy service, mentor staff and ensure compliance with hygiene standards.

With 35 hours per week and a pay rate up to £14.31 per hour, this hands-on role offers career progression toward Head Chef in the UK's leading hospitality company.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising kitchen teams in a busy hotel or restaurant.
• Ability to manage rotas and orders.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and HACCP principles.

Responsibilities

• Own food ordering and stock control for the hotel.
• Lead service, organise the team and manage workflow.
• Prepare, cook and serve menu items to spec.
• Ensure health, safety and hygiene standards are met.
• Run shifts and help new team members settle in.
• Develop kitchen management skills for higher roles.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen management

Food safety

Stock control

Cost control

Tools

Chef tools

Job description

We're currently recruiting in our Durham City Centre Premier Inn. Working 35 hours per week, paying up to £14.31 per hour.

Kitchen Team Leader – Durham City Centre Premier Inn

Join our team at Premier Inn Durham City Centre Premier Inn as a Kitchen Team Leader and move your Chef career forward. You’ll run the kitchen day to day – managing rotas, placing food orders, leading the team through busy services, and keeping everything audit-ready. Working closely with your Hotel Manager, you’ll take full ownership of the kitchen – from food quality to hygiene. It’s a hands‑on leadership role that’s perfect for anyone ready to build the skills to become a Head Chef.

Pay Rate

Up to £14.31 per hour

Hours

35 hours per week

Location

Freemans Place, Walkergate, Durham, County Durham, DH1 1SQ

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Training and support: We’ve got user-friendly equipment that will make your shift easier from the start and the training that’ll give you a real career path in our kitchens.
• Apprenticeships: We offer them at any age, so learn while you earn and get a nationally-recognised qualification for your skills.
• Whitbread Benefits card: Enjoy up to 60% off Premier Inn rooms and 25% off meals in Whitbread Restaurants
• Pension and saving schemes: Company pension and save as you earn scheme
• Discounts: Get money off shops, your utility bills, travel, cinema trips, supermarkets and more

What You’ll Do

Join our team at Premier Inn Durham City Centre as a Kitchen Team Leader and take the next step in your Chef career. You’ll get the keys to our kitchen to grow your team, create our much‑loved meals and make your mark as part of the UK’s leading hospitality business, Whitbread.

• Own food ordering, stock control and keeping food costs on track for the entire hotel
• Take the lead during service – organising the team, managing workflow, and ensuring everything runs smoothly
• Prepare, cook, and serve our menu to spec – from legendary Premier Inn breakfasts to pub classics
• Make sure the kitchen always meets health, safety and hygiene standards – keeping the team trained and records up to date
• Step up when needed – running shifts and helping new team members settle in
• Learn the ins and outs of kitchen management so you’re ready to take on more senior roles as you grow your career with us.

We believe that everyone is unique and there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition. We are committed to being an inclusive organisation that values diversity and welcomes your application whatever your background or situation.

Under‑representered groups such as women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities & members of the LGBTQIA+ community (those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans and non‑binary or those who use a different LGBTQIA+ term), are strongly encouraged to build a career with us. Speak to us about workplace adjustments, part‑time and flexible working. Where possible we will support this.

Job ref:

219618-4492

Advertised:

13 Oct 2026