Job: Head Chef
Location: Northumberland
Salary: Circa £46,000 circa + service charge + annual bonus
Work Schedule: Full-time
Accommodation: Available if Required
Start Date: Immediate Start Available
Overview and Opportunity
We are delighted to be supporting a prestigious hospitality property in Northumberland with the appointment of an experienced and ambitious Head Chef.
This is an exciting opportunity for a talented chef to take ownership of the kitchen operation and play a key role in the continued development of the property’s food offering.
The long-term ambition is to progress the restaurant towards 2 AA Rosette standard, making this an excellent opportunity for a Head Chef who is passionate about food, culinary development and raising standards.
The successful candidate will be an experienced kitchen leader with previous Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef-level experience, ideally gained within a quality hotel or wider hospitality environment.
Job Description
As Head Chef, you will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day kitchen operation, ensuring consistently high standards across food quality, presentation, hygiene, compliance and service.
You will lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team while working closely with the wider hospitality operation to deliver an exceptional guest experience.
A key focus of the role will be developing the culinary offering and driving the kitchen towards the property’s ambition of achieving 2 AA Rosette recognition.
Alongside strong culinary credentials, the successful candidate will have a sound commercial understanding, with proven experience managing food costs, dry GP and labour/wage percentages. You will take ownership of the kitchen’s operational performance, ensuring the department is both highly effective and commercially successful.
Role Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the kitchen team, maintaining high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
- Take ownership of the kitchen operation, including menu development and culinary standards.
- Drive the restaurant towards 2 AA Rosette standard.
- Manage food costs, dry GP, labour/wage percentages and overall kitchen profitability.
- Oversee purchasing, stock control and supplier relationships.
- Ensure excellent food hygiene, HACCP, health & safety and compliance standards.
- Manage rotas, recruitment, training and team retention.
- Work closely with the wider hospitality team to deliver an exceptional guest experience.
- Utilise Shield and Procure Wizard effectively.
- Maintain an active professional social media presence showcasing culinary work.
Candidate Requirements
- Previous experience at Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef level.
- Experience working to 2 AA Rosette standard or equivalent.
- Previous hotel/hospitality experience is essential.
- Strong culinary leadership and people management skills.
- Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification.
- Strong knowledge of back-of-house compliance and food safety.
- Proven understanding and control of dry GP and labour/wage percentages.
- Experience with Shield and Procure Wizard.
- Passionate about developing food quality and driving standards.
- Professional social media presence showcasing your food.
- Michelin Guide experience desirable, but not essential.
Package & Benefits
- £46,000 circa basic salary
- Service charge
- Annual performance bonus
- Bonus linked to dry GP, labour % and team retention
- Opportunity to take ownership of the culinary direction of the restaurant
- Opportunity to play a key role in progressing the food offering towards 2 AA Rosette standard
- Supportive hospitality environment
- Excellent opportunity for professional development and career progression
How to Apply:
To apply for this role, please send your CV/resume to: laura.iveson@achievehospitality.com
