Lead Kitchen Captain — Pre-Opening Chef de Partie

Delano; England; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Delano London is seeking an exceptional Chef de Partie to join the pre-opening culinary team. Reporting to the Executive Head Chef, you’ll take ownership of your section and work with the Senior Sous Chef and Sous Chef to deliver memorable dishes from opening day.

You will lead and develop Demi Chefs and Commis Chefs, ensure mise en place, quality, and timing, and collaborate across kitchen sections and hotel departments to create a smooth pre-opening operation.

Qualifications

• Experience as Chef de Partie in a quality restaurant or hotel.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and HACCP.
• Mediterranean/Portuguese cuisine experience is a real plus.
• Confident, hands-on leader who supports your team.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of your assigned section, ensuring excellent preparation, organisation, service delivery and food quality.
• Prepare, cook and present dishes to the required Delano standard, following recipes, specifications, portion controls and plating guidelines.
• Lead by example and maintain a calm, professional and supportive working environment within your section.
• Take responsibility for the day-to-day organisation, guidance, training and development of the Demi Chefs and Commis Chefs assigned to you.
• Work closely with the Executive Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef and Sous Chef to support a smooth and efficient pre-opening and service operation.
• Ensure your section is fully prepared before service, with all mise en place, equipment, ingredients and production requirements ready.
• Maintain excellent standards of food quality, freshness, consistency, presentation, timing and portion control.
• Support menu tastings, recipe development, mock services, training sessions and other pre-opening activities.
• Help establish and maintain recipes, prep lists, par levels, cleaning schedules, opening and closing procedures and section standards.
• Coordinate effectively with other kitchen sections, Pastry, Stewarding, Front of House and wider hotel departments.
• Support stock control, ordering, deliveries, storage, labelling, rotation, waste reduction and responsible use of ingredients.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, HACCP, allergen management, Health & Safety, company policies and all relevant legal requirements.
• Remain flexible across the wider culinary operation and support events, room service, private dining and other hotel requirements when needed.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Mise en place

Attention to detail

Job description

Delano London is seeking an exceptional Chef de Partie to join the pre-opening culinary team. Reporting to the Executive Head Chef, you’ll take ownership of your section and work with the Senior Sous Chef and Sous Chef to deliver memorable dishes from opening day.

You will lead and develop Demi Chefs and Commis Chefs, ensure mise en place, quality, and timing, and collaborate across kitchen sections and hotel departments to create a smooth pre-opening operation.