Executive Head Chef

The Executive Head Chef is responsible for leading all culinary operations at The Royal Yacht, ensuring exceptional standards across menu development, food quality, kitchen management, and guest experience.

Working closely with senior hotel management, the Executive Head Chef will lead, inspire, and develop the kitchen team while maintaining high standards of consistency, creativity, profitability, and food safety across all dining operations, events, and banqueting services.

What you will do

• Develop seasonal, à la carte, and event menus while maintaining the hotel’s brand standards.
• Create innovative dishes that deliver exceptional quality, presentation, and consistency.
• Oversee the daily operation of all kitchen areas, including restaurants, banqueting, and events.
• Lead, train, mentor, and develop the kitchen team, fostering a positive and professional working environment.
• Manage food production standards, portion control, recipes, and presentation
• Monitor kitchen budgets, food costs, labour costs, stock levels, purchasing, and waste reduction.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, HACCP, health and safety, and COSHH procedures.
• Maintain excellent standards of cleanliness, organisation, and kitchen efficiency.
• Work closely with hotel management to enhance guest satisfaction and support events and promotional activities.

What we are looking for

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef, Head Chef, or Executive Sous Chef.
• 5–10 years’ progressive culinary experience within a high-volume kitchen environment.
• Experience managing and developing large kitchen teams.
• Strong knowledge of menu development, current food trends, and culinary techniques.
• Experience with budget management, food costs, stock control, and supplier relationships.
• Banqueting and event catering experience preferred.
• Food Safety Level 3 certification or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP procedures and food safety standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organisation, and problem-solving skills.
• Creativity, attention to detail, and a passion for delivering exceptional dining experiences.

What you get

• Competitive salary package.
• Opportunity to lead the culinary operation of a prestigious hotel.
• Work alongside a passionate and experienced hospitality team.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Employee benefits and hotel discounts.

This role requires flexibility to meet the needs of the business, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the culinary offering at The Royal Yacht, driving excellence across all kitchen operations while delivering memorable dining experiences for our guests.