The Cairndale Hotel & Spa, Dumfries
Competitive salary, dependent on experience | Accommodation available
The Cairndale Hotel & Spa is seeking an ambitious and talented Executive Chef to lead our kitchen operation and help shape the next chapter of our food and beverage offering.
A long-established, family-owned hotel in the heart of Dumfries, The Cairndale has built an excellent reputation for hospitality, food and drink. Following significant investment across the hotel—including the creation of our award-winning luxury spa—we are continuing to develop our team and guest experience.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head Chef ready to step into their first Executive Chef position, or an established Executive Chef looking to make a genuine impact within an ambitious independent hotel.
The role
As Executive Chef, you will take overall responsibility for the leadership and management of the hotel’s kitchen operation.
Most importantly, you will lead, motivate and develop our existing kitchen team—creating a positive, professional environment in which high standards, teamwork and pride are part of every service.
You will oversee menu development and food delivery across all areas of the hotel, including:
- The Oak Bar & Restaurant
- The Cairndale Spa and Spa Café
- Weddings, conferences and private events
- Group dining and banqueting
- Breakfast and residential dining
- Seasonal packages and special events
Working closely with the hotel’s senior management team, you will have the freedom to bring forward new ideas while ensuring that every menu remains commercially sound, operationally achievable and consistently delivered.
Key responsibilities
- Lead, manage and inspire the kitchen team across all hotel outlets
- Recruit, train, develop and retain talented chefs and kitchen colleagues
- Create attractive, seasonal and commercially successful menus
- Maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service
- Oversee kitchen rotas, labour management and departmental performance
- Manage food purchasing, supplier relationships, stock control and gross profit
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, allergen, hygiene and health and safety requirements
- Work collaboratively with the restaurant, spa, events and hotel management teams
- Support the continued growth of weddings, events, banqueting and destination dining
- Build a strong kitchen culture based on professionalism, accountability and mutual respect
- Help establish The Cairndale as one of the region’s leading food and hospitality destinations
About you
You will be an experienced Head Chef or Executive Chef with a proven ability to lead a busy kitchen team and deliver excellent food consistently.
You should have:
- Previous experience as a Head Chef, Executive Chef or in a comparable senior kitchen role
- Strong leadership and people-management skills
- Experience of developing and costing menus
- A sound understanding of kitchen finances, labour control, purchasing and gross profit
- Excellent knowledge of food safety and allergen management
- The ability to manage several different food outlets and service styles
- A calm, organised and professional approach
- A genuine passion for hospitality, team development and the guest experience
Hotel, banqueting or high-volume events experience would be advantageous, although we are equally interested in candidates with strong restaurant backgrounds who are ready to broaden their experience.
What we offer
- A senior leadership position within an ambitious, independently owned hotel
- The opportunity to influence menus and the future direction of our food offering
- An established kitchen team to lead and develop
- Support from an experienced hotel management team
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Accommodation available for the right candidate
- The opportunity to work across a varied operation encompassing restaurant dining, luxury spa hospitality and significant banqueting and events
This is more than an opportunity to run a kitchen. It is a chance to build a team, develop a distinctive food identity and play a central role in the continued growth of one of Dumfries and Galloway’s best-known hotels.
To apply, please submit your CV together with a covering letter outlining your experience, leadership style and ambitions for the role.
Pay: £50,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Dumfries DG1 2DF: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Experience:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
