Castle Green Hotel, Kendal
The Castle Green Hotel in Kendal is a four-star, 99-bedroom hotel with restaurant, bar, 6 conference rooms, 2 banqueting suites, pub on site, leisure club and treatment rooms.
We are recruiting for a Head Chef to join our hotel kitchen.
Job Overview
To lead and manage the kitchen operations of the hotel's restaurant and function catering services, delivering consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, and hygiene. The Head Chef is responsible for menu creation, team leadership, cost control, and ensuring a first-class culinary experience for both individual diners and event guests. This role plays a key part in maintaining the hotel's reputation for excellence in food and service
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have:
* Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high volume environment.
* Food Hygiene Level 3
* Management experience
* Passion for quality food and customer satisfaction
Main Responsibilities
* Oversee all kitchen operations, including restaurant service, banqueting, weddings, and corporate events.
* Design and implement seasonal menus in collaboration with management, aligned with customer expectations and using our own grown produce.
* Participate in event planning and liaise with the events and F&B teams to tailor menus for special functions.
* Ensure food is prepared to the highest standards of quality, taste, and presentation.
* Monitor food preparation methods, portion sizes, and waste control to ensure efficiency and profitability.
* Maintain strict hygiene, health, and safety standards, ensuring full compliance with current legislation.
* Manage kitchen budgets, food costs, and supplier relationships, working closely with the procurement and finance teams.
* Monitor and evaluate guest feedback, making improvements where necessary.
* Recruit, train, and develop kitchen staff to maintain a skilled and dedicated team.
* Create and manage weekly staff rotas to ensure adequate kitchen coverage across all service periods and functions, while controlling labour costs.
* Lead and motivate the kitchen team to perform at their best, fostering a positive and professional work environment.
Contract & Hours
Permanent contract. 45 hours per week.
No live in accommodation.
Castle Green Values
* Team Work - We are committed and supportive of each other
* Excellence - We are proud to create memorable experiences which exceed expectations
* Passion - We are enthusiastic and dedicated to being the best in everything we do.
Castle Green Benefits
* Competitive rates of pay
* Stunning location
* Birthday voucher towards hotel dinner
* Half price membership at Pulse Health & Fitness
* 20% off beauty treatments
* Reduced rates at other Legacy, Best Western and Lake District Hotel Association hotels
* Staff events
* Fourth HR - online system for holiday booking and payslips
* Hospitality Action - 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
* Five Year Club with additional benefits
* Online Learning Platform
* Cycle to Work Scheme
If you are a committed team player with passion and enthusiasm to create excellent memorable experiences for our customers, we would love to receive your application.
Job Type: Permanent
Pay: £35,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company events
* Company pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Discounted or free food
* Employee discount
* Free parking
* On-site gym
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person