Head Chef

INOU; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on duty

50% off F&B in all properties

Room rate on rooms for all Dalataowned

Friends & Family rate

Extra annual leave

Employee pension

Dalata Academy development

Staff events & charity

Performance bonus

Job summary

Dalata Hotel Group are seeking an experienced Head Chef for Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge in Dublin. You will own and elevate kitchen operations, drive menu strategies, and lead a skilled culinary team to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

In this role you will shape team culture, manage food purchasing, and contribute to conference and events success while aligning with the hotel's strategy and standards. A passion for development and excellence is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years experience as a Sous Chef or Head Chef in hotels or similar.
• Unrelenting focus on quality.
• Qualification in culinary arts or similar is desired but not essential.
• People leadership and development experience.
• A personal desire to be developed and to learn in your role.
• Strong communicator and comfortable in contributing to the overall hotel strategy.
• Ability to build relationships and influence with all levels of the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations for the hotel.
• Implement and individualise menu strategies.
• Lead and develop our skilled and ambitious culinary staff.
• Manage the purchasing & delivery of food.
• Play an important role in the success of our conference and events offering.
• Manage the kitchen budget to achieve set targets.

Skills

People leadership

Menu planning

Kitchen operations

Budget management

Quality focus

Education

Culinary qualification desired

Job description

Job Ref: DAL6424

Branch: Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge

Location: Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, Ballsbridge

Salary/Benefits: Competitive Salary

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Posted date: 22/10/2026

Closing date: 22/11/2026

Dalata Hotel Group are currently looking for an experienced Head Chef who is eager to take ownership, elevate their teams, and drive outstanding performance while continuing to grow professionally.

In this position, you will have a unique opportunity to shape your team's culture and success while contributing to the hotel's strategy. If you are looking for your next opportunity or a move in your career into a supportive environment that values innovation and excellence, we invite you to be part of our thriving community at Dalata Hotel Group.

Benefits

• Free employee meals on duty
• 50% Off F&B in all properties
• €/£60 Employee rate on rooms for all Dalata owned hotels
• 30% Off Friends & Family rate
• Extra annual leave day for every year worked (5 days to maximum of 5 days)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme/Transport Schemes
• Pension access (Ask your HR Manager for local pension information)
• Development opportunities through our Dalata Academy to support your career journey
• Staff appreciation Initiatives, fun team building activities and regular charity events
• Performance-related bonus plan

Your Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations for the hotel.
• Implement and individualise menu strategies.
• Lead and develop our skilled and ambitious culinary staff.
• Manage the purchasing & delivery of food.
• Play an important role in the success of our conference and events offering.
• Manage the kitchen budget to achieve set targets.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 Years experience as a Sous Chef or Head Chef in hotels or similar.
• Unrelenting focus on quality.
• Qualification in culinary arts or similar is desired but not essential.
• People leadership and development experience.
• A personal desire to be developed and to learn in your role.
• Strong communicator and comfortable in contributing to the overall hotel strategy.
• Ability to build relationships and influence with all levels of the business.

About Us

Dalata Hotel Group - We bring the heart of hospitality to every hotel we own and operate. We see our growth and expansion plans as a way of spreading our unique way of caring for our guests further around the world, bringing better experiences to more people. Currently, the Dalata difference can be felt at each of our hotels in Ireland, the UK, Germany & the Netherlands, and we'll keep expanding this further, focusing on key UK cities, Dublin and Continental Europe.

Helping our people to grow and develop their careers is vitally important to us and is one of our highest priorities. We have many exciting and unique internal development programmes, each crafted to make sure our employees get the learning they need to be able to take the next step in their careers.

Dalata Hotel Group is an Inclusive Employer. We actively encourage people from all backgrounds and abilities to apply to be part of our team. However, we understand everyone's needs are different; therefore, if you require any accommodations with this application process, please highlight your needs when you are completing your application process.

Our beautiful hotel is located in Dublin 4, a short distance to the city centre. At Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, not only is the best of Dublin waiting for you, it's your piece of tranquillity only a short distance from the city centre. Located beside the RDS in Ballsbridge, one of Dublin's more luxurious areas, it's a place that has everything from food, culture, to entertainment. If you want to see even more of Dublin, our stunning Victorian building is conveniently located within a short distance to both the city centre and Sandymount DART station, giving you access to a world of sights, shops, restaurants and hidden gems - and, with on-site parking for our guests, you can enjoy even more of what the area has to offer.