Two Bridges Hotel, Dartmoor National Park, Devon
An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a passionate, talented, and experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen at the award-winning Two Bridges Hotel, one of Devon's most distinctive hospitality destinations.
Set in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, the hotel enjoys an outstanding reputation for food, hospitality, and guest experience. Our restaurant holds 2 AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence, reflecting our commitment to exceptional dining and the finest local produce.
We are seeking a motivated and creative chef who is passionate about food, people, and hospitality. This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of an established Rosette-standard kitchen, with the freedom to shape menus, champion local produce and further develop our food offering.
In return, we offer a highly competitive salary package, tronc, performance-related incentives, live-in accommodation if required, and the opportunity to work in one of the South West's most iconic hospitality settings.
About Us
The Two Bridges Hotel offers fine Devon hospitality in the heart of Dartmoor National Park. Situated on the banks of the beautiful West Dart River, the hotel enjoys breathtaking surroundings, stunning walks and a unique sense of place.
Guests choose us for our warm Devon welcome, comfortable accommodation, acclaimed restaurant, characterful lounges, bustling bar and beautiful historic setting. Alongside our restaurant operation, we host weddings, celebrations, private events, group dining and one of the region's most popular cream tea destinations.
The Role
As Head Chef, you will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the kitchen, leading and developing the brigade while maintaining the standards required of a 2 AA Rosette establishment.
You will have the creative freedom to develop seasonal menus, introduce new dishes and work closely with local suppliers to showcase the very best produce available, while achieving agreed food GP targets.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading, motivating and developing the kitchen brigade.
- Maintaining and building upon our existing 2 AA Rosette standards.
- Creating seasonal menus using the finest local ingredients and suppliers.
- Developing menus across restaurant dining, weddings, events and hotel functions.
- Ensuring exceptional standards of flavour, presentation and consistency.
- Managing food costs, gross profit, stock control and purchasing.
- Building strong relationships with suppliers and championing local produce.
- Planning rotas and managing kitchen labour effectively.
- Recruiting, training and developing members of the kitchen team.
- Ensuring food safety, hygiene, allergen management and health & safety procedures are maintained to the highest standards.
- Working closely with the General Manager and wider hotel team.
- Maintaining a calm, organised and professional kitchen during busy services.
- Continually seeking opportunities to improve the food operation and guest experience.
About You
We are looking for a chef who is genuinely passionate about food and hospitality and who takes pride in developing both dishes and people.
You will ideally have:
- Previous experience as a Head Chef or be an accomplished Senior Sous Chef ready to take the next step in your career.
- Experience within a 2 AA Rosette or higher-rated kitchen.
- A background in quality hotels, restaurants, or country house properties.
- Strong knowledge of seasonal cuisine and current food trends.
- Excellent menu development and food presentation skills.
- Strong commercial awareness, including GP management, stock control, and labour management.
- The ability to lead, motivate and develop a successful kitchen team.
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
- A calm, hands-on approach during busy services.
- A genuine desire to maintain and continuously improve culinary standards.
- Excellent knowledge of food safety, allergen legislation, and kitchen compliance.
Most importantly, you will be a natural leader who enjoys being part of a team and who wants to create a kitchen culture where people can thrive and perform at their best.
Salary & Benefits
- Competitive salary, negotiable for the right candidate
- Tronc
- Performance-related incentives
- Live-in accommodation available
- Meals on duty
- Company discounts
- Training and development opportunities
- Workplace pension
- Supportive management team
- Stable and experienced kitchen brigade
We recognise that exceptional candidates bring different levels of experience and expertise, and remuneration will reflect the successful applicant's skills, track record and ability to lead a quality-driven kitchen operation.
About the Team
We're a busy and dedicated team at the Two Bridges Hotel, united by a passion for great hospitality, fabulous surroundings, hard work, and a sense of fun.
We operate seven days a week, from early mornings through to late evenings, so flexibility is important. Due to our rural Dartmoor location, reliable transport is essential unless live-in accommodation is utilised.
We are fortunate to have a loyal and experienced team, with many colleagues having been with us for several years. We pride ourselves on creating a friendly, supportive working environment where everyone contributes to delivering memorable guest experiences.
To Apply
Please send your CV together with a brief covering letter explaining why you would like to join the team at the Two Bridges Hotel and what you feel you would bring to the role.
Salary: Competitive and negotiable for the right candidate, plus tronc and performance-related incentives.
Accommodation: Live-in accommodation available.
Location: Two Bridges Hotel, Dartmoor National Park, Devon.
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent.
Pay: £42,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
