The NICI New Forest - Executive Chef

The Nici; Pennington; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Service charge

Staff discounts

Meals on duty

Training and professional development

Career progression

Newly developed resort environment

Job summary

THE NICI New Forest is seeking an Executive Chef to take ownership of the entire food operation, aligning restaurant dining, all-day service and events. You will set culinary standards, lead a large team and shape the resort’s food identity with a clear strategic vision.

This role combines creative excellence with commercial leadership, driving food quality, cost control and guest experience across a busy destination resort environment.

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level experience in a hotel/resort/restaurant group or similar complex operation.
• Experience managing multiple food outlets and/or high-volume service.
• Strong culinary background and genuine enthusiasm for food.
• Proven experience creating and evolving menus.
• Commercial understanding to manage food cost, GP, labour and purchasing.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the overall food direction for THE NICI New Forest.
• Shape the identity and menus for Martha's and Elm's Café.
• Lead the kitchen leadership team and establish clear standards.
• Build a high-performing brigade capable of high-volume service.
• Develop chefs and future kitchen leaders through coaching and hands-on support.
• Introduce commercially viable, exciting menus.
• Own kitchen budgets, food margins, GP performance and profitability.
• Review purchasing and supplier relationships for quality and value.
• Implement stock management, waste reduction and portion control.

Skills

Senior-level experience

Multiple outlets

High-volume service

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Commercial acumen

Job description

About THE NICI Collection

THE NICI Collection is a growing group of destination-led hotels, bringing together distinctive locations, relaxed luxury, great food and drink, and experiences that guests remember.

Following the success of THE NICI Bournemouth, the collection has expanded with THE NICI Newquay and THE NICI New Forest.

Located across 23 acres on the banks of the Lymington River, THE NICI New Forest is a destination resort combining the character of the New Forest with a relaxed, contemporary approach to hospitality.

Food is a major part of the experience. The resort is home to Martha's, our signature restaurant, bringing together an American-inspired culinary style, seafood, grill cooking and seasonal coastal influences.

Alongside Martha's is Elm's Café, our all-day dining destination offering American-inspired comfort food alongside healthier choices and a dedicated juice bar serving our extensive spa membership. With a busy daily operation and the ability to deliver more than 500 covers, Elm's is a fast-paced and energetic part of the resort.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an Executive Chefto take overall responsibility for the food operation at THE NICI New Forest.

This is a senior leadership position for a chef who wants genuine ownership and the opportunity to shape the direction of a large, diverse culinary operation.

You will be responsible for bringing together the different elements of the resort's food offering, from restaurant dining and all-day service to events and high-volume operations. You will establish the standards, develop the people and create a clear culinary identity across the property.

This role will suit someone who combines strong culinary ability with commercial understanding and exceptional leadership skills. We are looking for a chef who knows how to create outstanding food while also building an operation that is organised, efficient and financially successful.

Your Focus

Rather than simply overseeing day-to-day service, you will be responsible for the bigger picture of the resort's culinary operation.

You will:

• Establish and evolve the overall food direction for THE NICI New Forest.

• Shape the identity and menus of Martha's and Elm's Café while ensuring each concept has its own personality.

• Lead the kitchen leadership team and create clear standards across all areas of the operation.

• Build a strong brigade structure capable of delivering consistently high-volume service.

• Develop chefs and future kitchen leaders through coaching, training and hands-on support.

• Introduce menus that are exciting for guests while being practical and commercially viable.

• Work with the wider leadership team to develop new food experiences and opportunities within the resort.

• Have ownership of kitchen budgets, food margins, GP performance and overall culinary profitability.

• Review purchasing and supplier relationships to ensure quality, value and consistency.

• Put effective systems in place for stock management, waste reduction and portion control.

• Maintain exceptional standards around food safety, allergens, hygiene and kitchen compliance.

• Ensure kitchens are properly organised, resourced and prepared for every service.

• Monitor guest feedback and use it to continually improve the food offering.

• Keep the culinary team motivated, engaged and accountable.

• Recruit and retain talented chefs who share the ambition of THE NICI.

• Work closely with Food & Beverage and hotel leadership to ensure food is central to the overall guest experience.

The Person

This position requires more than someone who can run a kitchen.

We are looking for an Executive Chefwho can balance creativity with commercial reality and who understands how to build a high-performing team.

You will ideally have:

• Significant senior-level experience within a hotel, resort, restaurant group or similarly complex food operation.

• Experience managing multiple food outlets and/or high-volume service.

• A strong culinary background and genuine enthusiasm for food.

• Proven experience creating and evolving menus.

• The commercial understanding to manage food cost, GP, labour and purchasing effectively.

• Strong knowledge of food safety, allergens and kitchen compliance.

• The ability to recruit, develop and retain a large kitchen team.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

• A confident and visible approach to leading from the front.

• The ability to work strategically while remaining connected to the day-to-day operation.

• A passion for developing people and creating a positive kitchen culture.

• The resilience and organisation required to operate successfully in a busy resort environment.

Most importantly, we want someone who takes pride in what they create and understands that a successful kitchen is built around great food, great standards and great people.

What You Can Expect

Joining THE NICI New Forest means becoming part of a growing hospitality group where there is genuine opportunity to influence how a destination develops.

This role gives you the opportunity to put your own stamp on the culinary operation, build a team around your vision and help establish THE NICI New Forest as a destination known for its food as well as its setting.

We offer:

• Competitive salary plus service charge.

• Staff discounts across THE NICI Collection.

• Meals on duty.

• Training and professional development.

• Opportunities for career progression within a growing hotel group.

• The opportunity to work within a newly developed resort environment.

Make Your Mark

If you're an experienced culinary leader who is ready to take ownership of a significant operation, build something distinctive and lead a team with ambition, we'd like to hear from you.

This is an opportunity to shape the food identity of THE NICI New Forest from the inside out.

Compensation: To be discussed