Chef & House Manager Couple – Luxury Estate, Yorkshire
Full‑time position offered by Katherine Shields Private Staff Ltd, United Kingdom. Annual gross salary negotiable around £120k+ with a private cottage provided on the estate.
Job ID: ZR_919_JOB
Location: City of York, Yorkshire.
We are looking for an experienced and entrepreneurial hospitality couple (Chef & House Manager) to take responsibility for the overall guest experience, operational management, and commercial success of a newly opened luxury country estate.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver exceptional guest experiences from initial enquiry through to departure.
- Maintain the property and grounds facing hospitality areas to the highest presentation standards.
- Oversee housekeeping, service delivery, and day‑to‑day operations.
- Curate bespoke experiences and activities for guests in partnership with local providers.
- Ensure every stay reflects the highest standards of luxury hospitality.
Food & Beverage
- One partner will act as Resident Chef, creating and delivering seasonal menus for private and corporate groups.
- Provide catering for a range of occasions, from relaxed family gatherings to formal dinners and events.
- Utilise estate‑grown produce where possible and maintain consistently high culinary standards.
Commercial & Operational Management
- Drive occupancy, bookings, and revenue throughout the year.
- Manage guest enquiries, reservations, and relationships with booking agents and corporate clients.
- Support marketing initiatives and reputation building activities.
- Foster repeat business, referrals, and outstanding guest reviews.
The Ideal Couple
We are looking for a proven hospitality partnership with experience managing a large private estate, a country house hotel, or boutique accommodation business.
The successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Strong hospitality and guest service expertise.
- Commercial awareness and experience driving bookings and revenue.
- Excellent leadership and organisational skills.
- A warm, engaging, and professional approach to hosting.
- An accomplished chef within the partnership, capable of catering for groups to a high standard.
- Energy, initiative, and a genuine desire to build a successful hospitality business.
Team Structure
The couple will manage the on‑site hospitality operation, including housekeeping and casual event staff, while working closely with the wider estate management team. Estate maintenance and grounds management are handled separately.
Accommodation and Package
A private cottage on the estate is provided as part of the package, together with a competitive salary negotiable around £120k+ gross per annum.
