Role Purpose:
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Head Chef to lead our passionate culinary team at Park Head Hotel, our very first hotel. You will be responsible for managing a team of chefs and overseeing the production of a diverse range of high-quality food offerings, including breakfast, daytime dining, evening restaurant services, and event catering. Your creativity will shine as you work with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including produce from our own Walled Garden.
This role requires a calm, pleasant demeanor as it may involve occasional customer interaction. As a key member of the senior hotel team, you will contribute to delivering exceptional hospitality within an organization dedicated to the regeneration, conservation, and celebration of Bishop Auckland. Your leadership will help foster a professional, creative, and supportive working environment grounded in strong teamwork.
We offer 30 days of annual leave per year, and the position is on a full-time basis.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead and manage kitchen operations, ensuring excellence in food quality, attention to detail, and presentation standards.
• Maintain a polished, professional appearance and demonstrate composure under pressure.
• Oversee ordering, preparation, cooking, and serving processes, ensuring high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
• Develop and manage budgets, optimizing profit through effective menu planning, cost control, and minimizing waste.
• Create seasonal and special menus tailored to the venue’s audience, ensuring allergen management and presentation standards.
• Monitor food stock levels, ensuring efficient ordering and accurate record-keeping via the F&B sales system.
• Ensure proper food rotation to maintain quality and freshness.
• Complete departmental administration tasks, including stock takes, rotas, and budget analysis, promptly.
• Lead kitchen compliance efforts, maintaining all food safety and COSHH paperwork, and ensuring adherence to food safety laws.
• Promote allergy awareness and enhance knowledge across the kitchen team.
• Train, mentor, and develop the kitchen team’s skills, confidence, and performance, ensuring training plans and personal development are implemented.
• Set and assess performance objectives, addressing underperformance in a timely manner while seeking feedback to continuously improve leadership.
• Establish a culture of kindness, professionalism, and respect within the kitchen team.
• Collaborate effectively with the front-of-house team to enhance food service delivery throughout the hotel.
• Work closely with the management team to develop the food offering and address operational challenges.
• Maintain efficient working practices to ensure high-quality food is delivered promptly to guests.
Health & Safety:
• Ensure familiarity and compliance with TAP and PHH health and safety policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Prioritize the safety of visitors, staff, volunteers, and contractors at all times.
Person Specification:
Essential Criteria:
• Minimum of three years of experience in a similar position.
• Food Safety Level 2 certification.
• Strong communication skills.
• Proven experience in writing menus.
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety requirements within a catering environment.
• Proficiency in stock management, inventory control, and cost management.
• Ability to multitask, remain calm under pressure, and solve problems effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• Professional, hardworking, and driven, with a passion for culinary excellence.
• High standards of personal hygiene.
• Basic knife skills.
Desirable Criteria:
• Previous experience working in a hotel environment.
About The Auckland Project
The Auckland Project is committed to creating positive change for those living, working, and visiting Bishop Auckland. We have developed a visitor destination in Bishop Auckland, including Auckland Castle, Spanish Art Gallery, Faith Museum, Walled Garden, Deer Park, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower Visitor Centre, and Weardale Railway.
Our vision focuses on three key areas:
• Social Environment: Supporting communities by fostering curiosity, hope, and personal growth while providing skills development and supporting local creative industries.
• Natural Environment: Protecting, sustaining, and enhancing the world around us.
• Built Environment: Restoring and enhancing the beauty and historic significance of the buildings, structures, and assets in our care.
By joining us, you will contribute to ensuring the town’s future is as vibrant and magnificent as its past.
How to Apply
To apply, please download and complete an application form from Work With us | The Auckland Project and email it to recruitment@aucklandproject.org.
Closing date: Friday 28th March 2025 at midnight.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.