About Us
At Hotel Indigo Newcastle, we pride ourselves on creating
unforgettable guest experiences. At the heart of our vibrant city centre hotel
is Social Bird - a bold, flavour-packed dining destination celebrating
premium chicken dishes with a creative twist. From crispy classics to elevated
dining creations, Social Bird blends bold flavours and fresh, local ingredients
to delight our guests.
We’re now looking for a visionary Head Chef to lead
our kitchen and take Social Bird to the next level. If you’re passionate about
flavour, thrive on innovation, and can inspire a team to deliver excellence
every service, this is your stage.
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Job Summary
As Head Chef, you’ll be the driving force of Social
Bird’s culinary identity. You’ll lead the kitchen team, set and maintain the
highest food standards, and develop menus that delight our guests and reflect
our unique brand. From managing kitchen operations to driving creativity,
you’ll be responsible for ensuring every plate leaving the pass represents our
passion for great food.
This is a rare opportunity for a dynamic and experienced
chef to lead a high-energy, concept-driven kitchen in one of Newcastle’s most
exciting hotels.
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Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Vision
* Lead
and inspire the kitchen team to deliver exceptional food, every time.
* Create
and maintain a positive, professional, and collaborative kitchen culture.
* Be
the face and voice of Social Bird’s food concept, ensuring every dish
reflects our brand values.
Menu Creation & Innovation
* Showcase
local produce and develop dishes that celebrate our chicken-led concept in
fresh, exciting ways.
* Stay
ahead of culinary trends to keep Social Bird relevant and distinctive.
Operational Excellence
* Oversee
all aspects of kitchen operations, from prep to service, ensuring
efficiency and consistency.
* Implement
and monitor systems for stock control, cost management, and waste
reduction.
* Maintain
impeccable food safety, hygiene, and allergen management standards.
Team Development
* Recruit,
train, and mentor kitchen staff, supporting their professional growth.
* Build
a high-performance team through clear communication, fair delegation, and
hands-on leadership.
* Plan
and manage rotas to balance operational needs with team wellbeing.
Business & Collaboration
* Work
closely with the General Manager and front-of-house team to ensure smooth
service and exceptional guest satisfaction.
* Monitor
performance against KPIs such as GP%, labour costs, and customer feedback,
and take action to continually improve.
* Contribute
to marketing, events, and promotions with creative food ideas and active
involvement.
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Qualifications & Skills
* Experience:
Minimum 3 years in a senior kitchen role, including at least 1 year as
Head Chef or equivalent. High-volume or concept-driven restaurant
experience highly desirable.
* Education:
Culinary degree or equivalent experience preferred.
* Skills:
Strong leadership, menu development, and cost-control expertise; excellent
organisational and communication skills.
* Knowledge:
Deep understanding of modern cooking techniques, flavour profiles, and
food trends. Knowledge of poultry-based cuisine is a major advantage.
* Attributes:
Passionate, creative, commercially savvy, calm under pressure, and
relentlessly quality-focused.
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What We Offer
* Competitive
salary and benefits package.
* Opportunities
for career growth within a global hotel brand.
* A
supportive and dynamic working environment.
* Discounts
on hotel stays worldwide.
* City
centre parking.
* Access
to the onsite gym.
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Join Us
This is more than a job - it’s your chance to create, lead,
and leave your mark on one of Newcastle’s standout dining experiences. If
you’ve got the vision, skill, and leadership to make Social Bird soar, we want
to hear from you.