Head Chef – 4-Star Hotel Kitchen (Main Kitchen & Wedding & Events Kitchen) Location: New Forest (Burley) Salary: £45,000 plus a £5,000 discretionary bonus. We are seeking a talented and experienced Head Chef to lead our brigade at a renowned 4-star hotel, overseeing both our main kitchen and wedding & events kitchen. This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate culinary professional with a strong background in hotel or restaurant kitchens who is dedicated to delivering exceptional food quality and service. The Job Role: As the Head Chef, you will be responsible for leading and managing a dynamic team within a busy, full-service kitchen. You will oversee food production for both our main dining service and high-end events, including weddings, ensuring consistency and excellence at all times. Key responsibilities include: Leading and managing the kitchen brigade, providing clear direction and support to your team Ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and service standards are maintained Managing food costs and inventory control to ensure profitability Prioritising and enforcing Health & Safety, Food Hygiene, and HACCP compliance Taking ownership of recruitment, training, development, and retention of kitchen staff Overseeing rotas, wages, and efficient staffing to ensure smooth operations Driving service efficiency, especially during peak times, to ensure a seamless dining experience Staying up-to-date with current food trends and innovating within the kitchen Requirements: The ideal candidate will be a seasoned Head Chef with a proven track record in a hotel or restaurant kitchen, ideally with experience in a 2 rosettes-awarded kitchen. You will be calm, focused, and a natural leader, able to manage the kitchen in high-pressure environments. Additional key qualities we’re looking for include: Strong background in a high-quality kitchen, with at least 3 years' experience as a Head Chef Experience in managing a busy, full-service kitchen, particularly within both a restaurant and events/catering environment Exceptional knowledge of Health & Safety, Food Hygiene, and Food Costing Ability to manage, train, and develop a diverse team Strong organisational skills with experience in rota management and wage control A passion for food quality, innovation, and presentation Flexibility to work various shifts, including evenings and weekends Interest in current food trends and a desire to stay at the forefront of the industry If you are an ambitious Head Chef with a passion for high standards, team development, and delivering exceptional culinary experiences, we would love to hear from you.