Cluster Head Chef - Bournemouth

Cluster Head Chef
Three-Hotel Cluster | Bournemouth
JWR is recruiting an experienced Cluster Head Chef to oversee the kitchen operations across three distinctive hotels located within close proximity of one another in Bournemouth.
The portfolio includes a contemporary lifestyle hotel, an intimate boutique property and a larger full-service coastal hotel with restaurant, bar, spa, leisure and events facilities.
Working with the support of the Group Executive Chef, this is an excellent opportunity for a commercially astute and people-focused chef to lead multiple kitchen teams, strengthen standards and develop a consistent, high-quality food offering across the cluster.

The Package

• Salary of £45,000-£50,000, depending on experience
• Meals while on duty
• Workplace pension
• Life insurance
• Employee benefits platform
• Hotel and employee discounts
• Personalised training and development
• Team celebrations and social events
• Support from an experienced Group Executive Chef
• Genuine opportunities for career progression

The Role
As Cluster Head Chef, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day culinary performance of all three hotels, supporting the kitchen teams and ensuring consistently high standards across each property.
The operation includes restaurant dining, breakfast, bar food, private events, functions and hotel guest service. You will balance quality, creativity and commercial performance while adapting the food offer to suit the individual identity and customer base of each hotel.
Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and supporting the kitchen teams across three hotel properties
• Working closely with the Group Executive Chef to deliver the wider culinary strategy
• Maintaining consistent food quality, presentation and service standards
• Developing menus that complement the style and market of each hotel
• Overseeing breakfast, restaurant, bar, function and event food operations
• Supporting Head Chefs, Sous Chefs and senior kitchen team members
• Recruiting, training, coaching and developing kitchen employees
• Creating succession plans and identifying future culinary talent
• Monitoring food costs, margins, payroll and departmental expenditure
• Managing purchasing, stock control, wastage and supplier relationships
• Ensuring effective kitchen rotas and staffing levels across the cluster
• Supporting the kitchens during periods of high demand, absence or major events
• Ensuring full compliance with food hygiene, allergen, health and safety requirements
• Maintaining strong kitchen cleanliness and food-safety standards
• Introducing effective systems, procedures and operational controls
• Working collaboratively with hotel managers and food and beverage teams
• Using guest feedback and commercial results to improve the food offering
• Identifying opportunities to increase revenue and improve profitability

Requirements
We are looking for a confident and adaptable senior chef who can provide leadership across several kitchens while remaining visible and operationally involved.
You will ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Executive Head Chef or experienced multi-outlet Head Chef
• A strong hotel, restaurant or hospitality background
• Experience overseeing several food outlets or kitchen operations
• The ability to lead and influence teams across multiple locations
• Strong knowledge of food costs, margins, stock control and payroll
• Experience delivering restaurant, breakfast and event food operations
• Excellent food hygiene, allergen and health and safety knowledge
• Strong menu-development and kitchen-management skills
• A proven ability to recruit, train and retain talented chefs
• A collaborative leadership style and excellent communication skills
• The flexibility to work across all three Bournemouth properties
• A hands-on approach and the ability to remain calm during busy services

You will be an organised and inspiring kitchen leader who can bring teams together, strengthen consistency and create food experiences that encourage guests to return.
This is a fantastic opportunity to influence the culinary direction of three established hotels while benefiting from the guidance and support of a Group Executive Chef.