Executive Head Chef

Hodson Bay Hotel; Athlone; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

39 Hour Working Week

Complimentary gym & swimming pool

Career development opportunities

Meals provided while on duty

Free parking

Hotel discounts across Hodson BayGroup

Health & wellness programme

Active sports & social club

Job summary

The Hodson Bay Hotel in Ireland is seeking an Executive Head Chef to lead our award-winning culinary operations across outlets including the Waterfront Bar & Brasserie and L’Escale Restaurant. You will set standards, manage budgeting, recruit and train staff, and ensure HACCP compliance while delivering 4-star quality guest experiences.

Join a dynamic team at Hodson Bay Group with a focus on growth, training, and delivering exceptional dining experiences using local produce and on-site estate

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience at Senior Chef level in a 4* hotel.
• Strong leadership qualities with team oversight.
• Excellent communication, organisation and people management.
• Ability to train new and existing staff.
• Solid knowledge of culinary development and attention to detail.
• Ability to perform under pressure in a busy hotel kitchen.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.
• Availability to work 5 over 7 days (opening/closing shifts).
• Strong HACCP knowledge and compliance.
• Experience with budgeting and rostering.

Responsibilities

• Establish and implement standards of performance in food production.
• Prepare, cook and present food to a consistently high standard.
• Achieve catering budget targets and control costs.
• Recruit and deploy staff with appropriate skills; manage labour costs.
• Attend departmental meetings ensuring effective communication.
• Promote morale and core values within the team.
• Own and monitor departmental budgets with Financial Controller.
• Appraise staff regularly within Food Production.
• Ensure hygiene and HACCP regulations are followed at all times.
• Collaborate with HR to develop training plans for the department.
• Work with General Manager as a team player to reach business aims.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

People management

Training

Budgeting

Rostering

English proficiency

Job description

The Hodson Bay Hotel has an exciting opportunity for anExecutive Head Chefto lead our award-winning Culinary operations.

Our outlets include the Waterfront Bar & Brasseriewhich has seen extensive investment in facilities. Our L’Escale Restaurant offers guests a fine dining experience with opportunity to create culinary delights using local produce including our own grown ingredients from our Yew Point estate, adjacent to the hotel. The renowned Hodson Bay Hotel offers a cutting-edge opportunity for a dynamic Executive Head Chef to bring these outlets to the next level.

The Hodson Bay Hotel is part of the Hodson Bay Group. With over 900 employees from over 50 countries worldwide, Hodson Bay Group is committed to creating a positive working environment where our people feel they are a valued part of a team delivering excellent service to our guests.

If your passion for creating great dining experience, then we want to heat from you!

Responsible to: General Manager/Managing Director

Main Duties

• To establish and implement standards of performance within the food production areas of the Hotel, ensuring services offered are of the highest 4-star quality and all employees are trained in the delivery of same.
• With your team, to prepare, cook and present food to a consistently high standard for all food service areas of the Hotel.
• To achieve agreed Catering budget for the Hotel, ensuring that cost of sales is achieved and expenditure controlled at all levels and liaising with the Purchasing Manager as and when required.
• To carry out effective recruitment of employees within your department, ensuring the right people with the right skills, are in the right place at the right time, controlling labour costs to budget.
• To attend Hotel & Head of Department Meetings as required ensuring effective communication at all levels.
• To create an environment that promotes employee morale and encourages the team to have pride and commitment in their area of work always promoting our Culture of Respect and Core Values of Fun, Passion, Excellence, Honesty & Flexibility.
• To accept ownership and control of departmental budgets and costs working with the Financial Controller.
• To appraise and assess all employees within the Food Production areas on a regular basis.
• To ensure that all hygiene & HACCP regulations are adhered to at all times.
• To work with the HR department to develop and implement effective training plans for the Department, based on training need identified.
• To be a flexible and adaptable member of the Management team, working together with the General Manager as a team player to achieve the aims and profile required for the business.
• To ensure that the very highest standards are adhered to at all times by way of thorough training and direction with your staff and daily site inspections.
• To develop and contribute to the development of the Training Manuals (SOP Manuals) for the Kitchen.
• To ensure an excellent standard of customer care and professionalism are achieved at all times.

Your normal working week will be 5 days over a 7-day roster. The weekly roster includes weekend work.

Requirements

• A Minimum of 5 years experience at Senior Chef Level in a 4* Hotel
• Possess Strong Leadership qualities
• Excellent communication, organisation & people management skills
• Ability to train new & existing staff
• Have an excellent knowledge of culinary development and a strong eye for detail
• Possess the ability to perform under pressure
• Fluent in spoken & written English
• Availability to work 5 over 7 days for both opening and closing shifts
• A strong level of HACCP
• Knowledge of Budgeting and Rostering

Why work with us?

• 39 Hour Working Week
• Complimentary use of Hodson Bay Hotel’s Gym & Swimming Pool
• Career Development Opportunities
• Meals provided while on Duty
• Free Parking
• Hotel Discounts across the Hodson Bay Group
• Motivational Benefits – Manager of the Quarter etc
• Health & Wellness Programme
• Active Sports & Social Club

Join Our Team

At Hodson Bay Hotel, our people are at the heart of everything we do. You will be joining a welcoming, supportive team where your contribution will be valued and where you can continue to grow and develop.

As part of the Hodson Bay Group—proudly holding Gold certification in Fáilte Ireland’s Employer Excellence Programme, Silver accreditation from Investors in Diversity, and recently recognised as one of Ireland’s Happiest Workplaces for 2025 in association with The Sunday Times, the Hodson Bay Hotel is committed to fostering a culture of growth, opportunity, and continuous development for driven and ambitious team members.

We prioritise fostering a people-centric culture where mutual respect and trust create a thriving work atmosphere.

Hodson Bay Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Should you require accommodation or support during any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs..