Senior Sous Chef

Taymouth Castle; Aberfeldy; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury hospitality venue in Aberfeldy is seeking a Senior Sous Chef to lead kitchen operations, develop innovative menus, and ensure culinary excellence. The ideal candidate will have experience in a similar role within the luxury sector and possess strong leadership capabilities. Responsibilities include maintaining food safety standards, motivating the kitchen team, and delivering high-quality dishes. Benefits include competitive salary, accommodation, and various staff perks. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Staff Accommodation on a fixed term

Uniform Provided

Meal on duty (free of charge)

Use of on-site staff gym

Access to staff activities

Discounted local accommodation for friends and family

Work-Family Culture

Qualifications

• Experience working in a similar role within luxury hospitality.
• Demonstrated passion for cooking and service excellence.
• Ability to develop and inspire a team of culinary professionals.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of culinary excellence in daily operations.
• Initialize new menu ideas in collaboration with the Culinary Director.
• Ensure food safety and hygiene standards are met.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Team motivation

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Previous experience in luxury sector

Job description

Our Senior Sous Chef is pivotal in ensuring the efficient daily operations of the kitchen, maintaining the highest standards of culinary excellence, and contributing to the strategic goals of Taymouth Castle Golf & Sport Club. You will demonstrate exceptional culinary leadership, setting high standards for quality and accuracy, balancing commercial acumen, while managing multiple projects to drive continuous improvement, product innovation and business growth as we do the right thing.

Through your confident guidance and imaginative menu development, and eye for detail you believe in our value, people are our priority by nurturing talent, supporting development and inspiring the team to share and shape new ideas together.

Discover the role

You have a natural ability to motivate, organise and dynamically lead a team of cooks by assigning and driving specific duties. Continuously create and implement new menu ideas with the Culinary Director and senior chefs. Structure and organise kitchens and preparation efficiently to cope with daily operations, by developing and implementing training programmes for culinary team members as people are our priority.

Work closely with our kitchen stewards to ensure all food service areas and equipment are safe, sanitary, and immaculately maintained. Responsible for preparing, cooking and presenting high-quality dishes with consistency in taste, presentation, portioning and nutritional value, following established and evolving recipes and dietary guidelines. Play an active role in daily kitchen operations through teamwork, organisation and attention to detail.

Ensure food freshness, quality and kitchen efficiency, making timely adjustments as needed. Champion a seasonal and sustainable approach by incorporating home-grown and foraged produce from the estate, utilising innovative techniques and naturally available ingredients.

Support fellow chefs across stations and communicate proactively across facilities, contributing to a collaborative, people-focused environment where we believe in having fun by making others happy.

You monitor stock levels, proper rotation and minimal waste by supervising inventory checks and ensuring all purchases are processed and received using correct procedures. Ensure continual product quality standards and procedures are observed daily; cleaning schedules, temperature records, opening and closing checklists. All followed and completed where required for each area you are involved

Follow and uphold food safety, sanitation, and health & safety protocols in line with luxury hospitality standards. Prevent cross-contamination and maintain food safety standards through thorough allergen control. We do the right thing, impeccable hygiene, and cleanliness in all areas of back of house, food safety, sanitation, and health & safety protocols in line with luxury hospitality standards. Ensure the maintenance and upkeep of equipment used in any area of responsibility is completed in a timely manner

You uphold our exceptional culinary standards while demonstrating passion and flare in the pursuit of service excellence. We respect people, places, and culture and as an Ambassador of Taymouth Castle – spokesperson, advocate, and supporter. Be actively involved in day-to-day operations through observance and collaborating proactively with all team members across our wide range of facilities. Conduct and drive department meetings and attend wider business meetings where necessary.

Be creative by redefining, creating, and planning bespoke menus for people who like to do things differently, all that makes unforgettable experiences and redefines what service can be. Work with the Culinary Director to develop business plans and support delivery to ensure achievement of impeccable standards, strong margin, profit, and unique culinary moments.

Based within the castle or at various locations throughout the estate. Although much of your time will be spent indoors, some events may be hosted outdoors. This role can involve prolonged periods of standing, walking, and bending.

Discover you

Through leadership excellence you demonstrate natural leadership capabilities and mindset. You are eager to invest in the development of world-class future leaders and instinctively share your skills and knowledge. Inspiring every team member to deliver their personal best.

You have a genuine passion for cooking with previous experience within the luxury sector, in the same or a similar role / and or estate environment, working with a small team. The ability to deliver refined, personalised, anticipatory service with a vision for quality and excellence. Attention to detail with a warm, casual style letting your genuine personality shine through.

Calm, confident and discreet, taking huge pride in your presentation. Exemplary time management and critical thinking skills. Ability to work under pressure to juggle competing priorities with minimum supervision. Adapt accordingly to suit the profile of the business. Ability to adjust working days and hours of work to meet business needs, as and when required and during emergencies or busy seasons.

This role does not qualify for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa requirements and eligibility criteria. Only applicants with the right to work in mainland UK can be considered. We cannot consider applicants who require sponsorship. Offers are subject to successful completion of our reference and background checks.

Join the Discovery family, where quality and service are at the heart of everything we do!

Founded in 1994 by Michael S. Meldman, Discovery Land Company specializes in building luxury residential private club communities and resorts worldwide. We have grown to be the premier player in the high-end resort residential niche with 30 world-class projects in our portfolio. Our communities are distinct with their own architectural styles, world-class amenities, and high levels of service.

We don’t build buildings, but rather we build settings where families can create intergenerational memories and enrich their lives in exquisite and untouched sanctuaries. These settings offer a casual and comfortable sense of community through outstanding clubhouses, premier golf courses, welcoming staff, world-class culinary offerings, and outdoor pursuits. To ease and enrich your experiences, Discovery holds itself to the highest of service standards. Every decision we make is driven by one fundamental objective: to make the time you spend with the people you care about most not merely enjoyable, but memorable.

Spanning 8,000 majestic acres, Taymouth Castle Golf and Sport Club is a private residential, golf, and sporting community with a rehabilitated historic 19th century castle in the Western Grampians of Scotland. The newly reimagined castle and surrounding community will feature signature five-star amenities, programs, and services of a Discovery club with a grand Scottish flair.

Discover our Benefits & Perks

Embracing the breathtaking scenery in this part of Scotland and immersing yourself into the local community, working at Taymouth Castle Golf & Sport Club is more than a job, it offers a ‘lifestyle.’ Offers a chance to be part of the team building a project for generations to come.

• Competitive Salary
• Staff Accommodation on a fixed term
• Uniform Provided
• Meal on duty (free of charge)
• Use of on-site staff gym
• Access to staff activities
• Various benefits including discounted local accommodation for friends and family to visit.
• Work-Family Culture

We are situated on the A827 between Kenmore and Aberfeldy.

Close to the A9. Perth (1hour) Stirling and Edinburgh Airport (1.5hours) Glasgow (2 hours).