Executive Head Chef
| Posting date: | 19 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £50,000 to £65,000 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Negotiable remuneration plus service charge* |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 19 May 2024 |
| Location: | RH18 5JR |
| Company: | Elite Hotels |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | cbac44073c7e493185f9 |
Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and creative Executive Head Chef to join our established and welcoming team at Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, who has a track record and passion for food, service, kitchen management and experience in catering for a busy private events department.
Our dinning offering includes the 2 AA rosettes, 90 cover Anderida Restaurant, the 60 cover Forest Brassiere, busy Lounges & terrace, room service and extensive event spaces catering for up to 600 covers over a busy weekend. Breakfast is also a key meal period that can regularly cater for upwards of 200 people.
As Executive Head Chef you will be responsible for the management, running and direction of the Kitchen Department within Ashdown Park Hotel. This is a hands on role and therefore will be an active part of the hotel operation with the ability to lead by example and a desire to recruit, train and develop the kitchen team as and when opportunities arise.
You will be responsible for delivering menus in keeping with the ethos and style of the hotel that maintain a consistency of food quality and presentation at the highest level. You will be responsible for achieving financial targets within the department and work closely with our Health & Safety consultants and the general manager to ensure a clean, safe and compliant kitchen and operation at all times. As Executive Head Chef you will be given the opportunity to set and maintain the principles and standards of the kitchen operation.
If you feel you have the skills and attitude required to take on this role and make it your own we would welcome your application.
Key responsibilities
- To provide the highest quality of guest service standard and exceed expectations at all times
- To achieve a minimum food standard of 2 AA Rosettes or equivalent at all times.
- To be hands on and assist in all areas of the kitchen when required.
- To be an exceptional and professional ambassador for the hotel and the Elite group.
- To provide well balanced and fresh staff food three times per day and cater for special diets.
- To respond to clients requests for special or adapted menus.
- In partnership with all Heads of Department, establish a team spirit and understanding of each others roles to assist in achieving service excellence for all clients and to meet the company values
- To ensure that a strong culture of training and development exists within the kitchen team by supporting and initiating training courses and career advancement so that all staff members feel motivated and valued
- Ensure rotas reflect the business levels and payroll is controlled in line with budget.
- Ensure that all deliveries of food and equipment are received and recorded accurately and to the agreed standard, inventories are kept to agreed levels.
- Develop and introduce menus that meet seasonal trends as well as menus for wedding, functions, restaurants, room and lounge service that meet the demands of the local and international client.
- Prepare menus for special events such as gourmet dinners, ladies’ luncheons, Christmas, press events, picnics.
Attributes/Experience:
- Proven experience within a similar role.
- An excellent track record in kitchen management.
- Proven track record of delivering consistent food GP and staff costs in a busy multi site operation.
- Advanced Food Safety Certificate.
- Complete confidence with changing EHO legislation and the ability to maintain standards of hygiene, stock rotation and organisation.
- A good working knowledge of cooking trends and best practices.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills with the confidence to run a busy service and train the team.
If you feel that you can rise to this challenge, then please submit your application as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close the role early if sufficient applications are received.
Due to our rural location you will need your own transport
At Elite Hotels we have a single minded & unwavering goal to make every visit to our hotels a positive experience that customers feel compelled to talk about
About Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club:
Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club is a stunning grade two listed country house set in 186 acres of beautiful grounds on the edge of the Ashdown Forest. With an award winning 4 red star Hotel, fine dining two rosette Anderida Restaurant, 3 lounges, 17 conference & banqueting rooms, Cocktail Bar, Brasserie, fully equipped Country Club and Spa, we offer our guests a complete experience.
Why work at Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club:
As an accredited Investor in People, we are dedicated to the development of our staff. Many of the team started out in junior roles, but have been offered training and promotional opportunities as their skills have grown. We are very fortunate to have a large percentage of long-term team members able to offer their experience and expertise to the next generation of hospitality professionals – this could be you!
Benefits
To support and reward our staff we offer:
- A commitment to pay above the living wage
- Generous share of the monthly Service Charge (which is dependant upon overall sales performance)
- Career development with accredited training providers
- Enhanced holiday programme & reward scheme for long service
- Employee Assistance Programme - Hospitality Action
- Meals provided by our talented kitchen team
- We have plenty of free parking
- Generous 'Refer a Friend' bounty incentive
- We also have amazing recognition awards for exceptional customer service
- Reduced price stays in all of our hotels where you are treated like a guest no matter who you are! (after successful completion of probation period)
- Discounts available for spa treatments and for food and beverage (after successful completion of probation period)
- Uniform provided
- Smart Penion Scheme which is linked to Smart Rewards which gives employees free, unlimited access to over 1200 discounts
- Access to Wagestream which helps you keep track of your earnings in real-time; gives you access to the wages you have earned; helps you to save wages; gives you access to a financial health score checker.
- For full details of the benefits on offer please check our website: https://www.careersatelitehotels.co.uk/why-work-elite