Job Description: Head Chef
No late nights | 33 days’ annual leave | Meals on duty | Free on-site parking | Supportive retreat house setting
Why Join Us?
This role offers the chance to lead a welcoming kitchen in a calm, values-led retreat house environment, with sociable hours and a strong package of everyday benefits designed to support work-life balance.
· No late nights: Kitchen shifts finish by 8:00 pm.
· 33 days’ annual leave: Including bank holidays.
· Christmas and New Year closure: Time away from work during the festive period.
· Paid overtime: Overtime is paid for the time worked.
· Meals on duty: Employees receive meals prepared on site during their shifts.
· Enhanced sick pay and family leave: Subject to eligibility and policy terms.
· Health and wellbeing support: access to virtual GP appointments, second medical opinions and the Employee Assistance Programme, including confidential support for mental health, financial guidance and legal advice..
· Employer pension contributions: Above the standard legal minimum.
· Free on-site parking: Available at the retreat centre.
Role Snapshot
Job Title: Head Chef – Retreat House Kitchen
Location: St Beuno’s Spirituality Centre
Reports to: House Manager
Responsible for: Kitchen team, including chefs and front-of-house colleagues
Setting: 70-bedroom retreat house providing residential catering for guests, groups, retreats, events and staff
Hours: 40 hours per week
Salary: £34,000 per annum
Role Purpose
The Head Chef will lead the day-to-day operation of the kitchen in a 70-bedroom retreat house, ensuring the preparation and service of high-quality, nutritious and welcoming meals for residential guests, visiting groups, retreat leaders, staff and event attendees. The role is responsible for creating a calm, well-organised and hospitable dining experience that supports the retreat house’s ethos, while maintaining excellent food hygiene standards, managing kitchen resources efficiently and ensuring all food is prepared safely, consistently and within budget.
What You’ll Be Doing
· Lead, supervise and motivate the kitchen team to deliver a professional, calm and hospitable food service for a 70-bedroom residential retreat house.
· Plan, prepare and cook breakfast, lunch, dinner, refreshments, packed lunches and occasional special meals for guests, groups, retreats, events and staff.
· Develop balanced, seasonal and appealing menus that suit residential guests, group bookings, retreat programmes, dietary requirements, budget targets and the character of the house.
· Ensure meals are prepared, cooked, presented and served to a consistently high standard, with attention to warmth, simplicity, quality and guest care.
· Work closely with the retreat house management team to plan catering for residential occupancy, day visitors, events, conferences and special dietary needs.
· Provide suitable options for common dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and medically advised diets where appropriate.
· Maintain strict portion control, stock rotation, stock security and waste reduction procedures, especially across fluctuating guest numbers.
· Order food, ingredients and kitchen supplies in line with occupancy levels, menus, budgets and operational requirements.
· Monitor stock levels, deliveries and storage to ensure freshness, quality, value for money and continuity of service.
· Ensure all allergen information is accurate, clearly communicated and kept up to date for guests and staff.
· Maintain full compliance with food safety, hygiene, HACCP, COSHH and health and safety requirements.
· Complete and monitor kitchen records, including temperature checks, cleaning schedules, stock records, allergen information and food safety documentation.
· Ensure the kitchen, equipment, storage areas, dining support areas and service areas are kept clean, safe and organised at all times.
· Train, coach and support kitchen staff in food preparation, hygiene standards, safe working practices, service expectations and the retreat house’s approach to hospitality.
· Prepare staff rotas, allocate duties and ensure appropriate cover for breakfast, lunch, evening meals, events, holidays and absence.
· Respond professionally to guest feedback, group needs and short-notice changes while maintaining a calm and supportive kitchen environment.
· Report maintenance issues, equipment faults, accidents, incidents or hazards promptly.
What We’re Looking For
· Previous experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef in a residential hospitality, retreat centre, conference centre, hotel, care, education, catering or similar high-volume kitchen environment.
· Strong cooking skills and the ability to produce consistent, nourishing meals for residential guests and groups of varying sizes.
· Experience of planning menus around occupancy levels, guest profiles, events, seasonal produce, dietary requirements and budgets.
· In-depth knowledge of food hygiene, food safety procedures, allergens and special dietary requirements.
· Experience of supervising, training and motivating a kitchen team in a busy service environment.
· Ability to manage stock, control costs, reduce waste and adjust food production according to bookings and guest numbers.
· Excellent organisation, communication and time-management skills, with the ability to coordinate service around retreat schedules and group programmes.
· Ability to work calmly under pressure, meet service deadlines and respond flexibly to changing requirements.
· A practical, hands-on approach with high standards of cleanliness, presentation, guest care and hospitality.
Qualifications
· Food Safety / Food Hygiene qualification, Level 3 or above.
· Relevant catering or professional cookery qualification, such as NVQ, City & Guilds or equivalent, is desirable.
· Knowledge of HACCP and COSHH requirements is essential.
Personal Qualities
· Reliable, punctual and committed to maintaining high standards.
· Positive, approachable and calm leadership style.
· Flexible and willing to support the wider retreat house operation when required.
· Guest-focused, with pride in delivering good-quality food, thoughtful service and a welcoming dining experience.
· Respectful of the quiet, reflective or spiritual nature of a retreat house environment.
· Able to lead by example and create a respectful, productive and supportive team environment.
Working in Our Kitchen
The role will involve working in a busy residential kitchen environment, standing for long periods, handling hot equipment, lifting supplies and working to set mealtimes linked to guest stays, group programmes, retreats and events. Flexibility may be required to support weekend, evening, seasonal or special-event catering, respond to changing occupancy levels and provide cover during holidays or absence.
Interested?
If you’re an experienced chef looking for a calmer, values-led kitchen environment with sociable hours, a supportive team and meaningful hospitality at the heart of the role, we’d be pleased to hear from you.
Pay: £34,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Tremeirchion LL17 0AS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Work Location: In person
