Head Chef

Job description
Company Description

Title: Head Chef

Location: Keswick, Cumbria

Salary: £38k with bonus

Benefits
• 28 Days holiday including bank holidays
• 3 volunteering days
• 3 days grandparent leave
• 24 week’s enhanced maternity leave
• Bespoke training and development opportunities
• Pension and life insurance
• Discounts available on our HAPI app; high street shops, holidays cinema
• Wellbeing hub
• Access to employee assistance programme
• Free meals whilst at work
• Career development opportunities
• HIT Apprenticeships for all experience levels

Are you a seasoned inspirational and creative Head Chef with a passion for creating exceptional dining experiences? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for passionate Head Chef to be the driving force behind this prestigious independent school's culinary program.

Our prestigious cafe on the Shores of Derwent Water caters for the Theatre Cafe, Bar, Shack, pop ups and an extensive hospitality service. This operates 7 days a week - Monday to Sunday

This is a fantastic opportunity for a skilled Head Chef to make a name for themselves within the food service industry

Job Description

We are seeking a visionary and experienced Head Chef to join our culinary team in Keswick, United Kingdom. As the Head Chef, you will lead our kitchen operations, create innovative menus, and ensure exceptional dining experiences for our guests.
• Develop and implement creative, seasonally-inspired menus that showcase local ingredients and culinary trends
• Lead and mentor a talented kitchen team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment
• Oversee daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, quality control, and inventory management
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and maintain the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness
• Collaborate with the management team to develop and achieve financial goals, including budget management and cost control
• Engage with guests to gather feedback and continuously improve the dining experience
• Stay updated on culinary trends and techniques to keep our offerings fresh and exciting
• Participate in menu engineering and pricing strategies to optimize profitability
• Coordinate with suppliers to source high-quality ingredients and maintain strong vendor relationships
• Implement and maintain efficient kitchen systems and procedures to enhance productivity

Qualifications
• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef in a high-volume, quality-focused environment
• Culinary arts degree or equivalent professional certification
• Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and mentor a kitchen team effectively
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management and cost control
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional culinary skills and knowledge of various cuisines and cooking techniques
• Proficiency in menu planning, recipe development, and food presentation
• In-depth understanding of food safety regulations and hygiene standards
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to think strategically and apply critical reasoning to solve problems
• Adaptability and a solution-oriented approach to challenges
• Familiarity with inventory management systems and kitchen technology
• Knowledge of local cuisine and ingredients in the Keswick area is a plus
• Passion for culinary innovation and commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences

Additional Information

For almost 20 years, for every client, in every location (whether that’s an office, stadium, cathedral or university), we have created beautiful spaces, exciting menus and friendly teams, so that each and every customer can have the hospitality experience they deserve.

We need the brightest and the best to join us to make this all possible. We will support you to create your hospitality legacy and build a career that you are proud of.

Our drive and belief in our people, means that we always strive to supercharge our team’s careers. ‘Better’ is a daily habit that sits deep within our DNA, meaning learning will be front and centre of your experience working with us.

Join us, and be part of the food revolution!

BaxterStorey Values

ALWAYS VISIONARY

We strive for better, we never settle, never compromise, never follow. We lead the way, blazing our own trail.

Wholeheartedly Positive

We are up-beat, motivating and inspiring. Our love for what we do radiates through our food, and is amplified by our people.

CREATIVELY COLLABORATIVE

We embrace our differences to push creativity and we work together to be better.

FOREVER CONSCIOUS

We work together as a team to lead by example, protecting the planet and supporting local communities.

Interested? Even if you don’t meet all requirements, we’d like to hear from you. If you are motivated and hungry to learn, we can work together to develop your potential.

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We celebrate individuality and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.

BaxterStorey is committed to encouraging equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) among our workforce and aim for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To support our commitment to this we have set ourselves an ambition to ‘set the standard and to be recognised for having the most inclusive culture in hospitality’.

Join us and bring your unique perspective to our team. Read more