Head Chef
Windemere
Salary/package : £40k - £50k + Excellent Grats
Are you ready to lead the kitchen at one of the Lake District's most exciting luxury hotels?
We're looking for a exceptional Head Chef to take a leading role in the day-to-day operation of an impressive kitchen / restaurant operation, working alongside the Executive Chef to deliver outstanding food, inspire a talented brigade, and help shape the next chapter of their culinary journey.
This is more than a leadership role—it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. You'll champion consistency, creativity and excellence across every service, while helping build on AA 3 Rosette standards.
Opportunity to lead menu development and creativity
Manage, lead and inspire a large kitchen brigade
Continue to elevate the dining experience and menus
The kitchen caters for both fine dining and a more relaxed dining menu with volume, hence as Head Chef you will need to be able to multi task and enjoy working across both sectors to deliver high standards.
What you'll be doing
As Head Chef, you'll be at the heart of the kitchen operation, leading by example and ensuring every guest enjoys an exceptional dining experience. You'll:
- Take charge of the kitchen in the Executive Chef's absence, ensuring seamless day-to-day operations.
- Lead and inspire a large brigade, creating a culture of professionalism, teamwork and continuous development.
- Drive consistency, quality and attention to detail across every section and every service.
- Coach, mentor and develop chefs at all levels, helping them grow and succeed.
- Support menu development, balancing creativity with the expectations of a luxury hotel and AA 3 Rosette standards.
- Oversee ordering, stock control, food costs and waste management to maximise efficiency and profitability.
- Maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, allergen management and kitchen compliance.
- Foster a calm, organised and disciplined environment where high standards are achieved through strong leadership and collaboration.
Who we're looking for
We're searching for a passionate, ambitious chef who thrives on delivering excellence and inspiring others.
You'll have experience as a Sous Chef, Senior Sous Chef or Head Chef within a high-quality, high-volume kitchen—ideally at 2 AA Rosettes or above, or within a luxury hotel or destination restaurant.
You'll also bring:
- A genuine passion for exceptional food and modern British cuisine.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a talented team.
- The confidence to perform under pressure while maintaining exceptional standards.
- Excellent organisational skills and a hands-on approach to service.
- A keen eye for detail and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
- The ability to balance creativity with the operational demands of a busy luxury hotel.
This is a fast-paced environment with ambitious culinary goals. You'll understand the discipline, consistency and teamwork required to deliver at Rosette level while exceeding the expectations of every guest.
What you'll receive
In return, we offer a competitive salary (negotiable depending on experience) and an excellent range of benefits, including:
- 28 days' annual leave, increasing to 33 days after five years' service
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Health Cash Plan with retail discounts and wellbeing benefits
- Discounted accommodation, food and drink across all hotels
- Pension and life assurance
- Bespoke training and development programmes
- A supportive, collaborative working environment with genuine opportunities for career progression
If you're an ambitious chef looking for your next challenge within a luxury hospitality environment, we'd love to hear from you.
Please note Hesketh James are the Recruiting Agent for this opportunity
Pay: £40,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
