The Opportunity
We are recruiting on behalf of a prestigious luxury hotel and resort in Hertfordshire, who are seeking a dynamic and strategic Head Chef to lead the kitchen team of their flagship restaurant.
This is more than just a restaurant its an immersive theatre of food. With multiple live cooking stations, chefs prepare a diverse range of dishes to order, giving guests a unique and interactive dining experience. From the flames of the grill to fresh handmade pasta, vibrant salads, and bold flavours from Asian and Tandoori kitchens, every service is a performance.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with volumes of up to 450 guests at breakfast and 250 for lunch and dinner. With such high footfall and revenue, this Head Chef position is both operationally demanding and strategically vital.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage a large, high-performing kitchen team across multiple live cooking stations.
* Drive culinary excellence while ensuring consistency, efficiency and speed of service in a high-volume environment.
* Deliver strong financial control, including live costings, menu engineering, food margin management and stock control.
* Inspire creativity and innovation, keeping menus fresh, exciting and aligned with global food trends.
* Develop and mentor chefs at all levels, building a positive, motivated and skilled team culture.
* Be a visible and approachable leader within the open kitchen, engaging with guests and elevating their dining experience.
* Champion sustainability and local sourcing, working closely with the kitchen garden and trusted suppliers.
What Were Looking For
* Proven experience as a Head Chef (or senior Sous Chef at a large scale) within a high-volume, multi-station or theatre-style restaurant.
* Strong financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to balance quality with profitability.
* Passion for food innovation and an awareness of emerging culinary trends.
* A modern leadership style focused on communication, empowerment, and developing future talent.
* Confidence in guest-facing roles, with excellent presentation and interpersonal skills.
* Commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing and seasonality.
The Rewards
* Competitive salary and benefits package.
* Meals on duty and access to excellent staff facilities.
* Subsidised staff accommodation (if required).
* Discounts on stays, dining and leisure experiences for family and friends.
* Access to world-class leisure facilities, including spa, gym and golf.
* Clear pathways for career progression within a prestigious 5* environment.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a Head Chef who thrives in a fast-paced, guest-led environment, and who can balance creativity with control, passion with precision, and performance with personality.
If you are ready to take on this flagship role, apply today to find out more.
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