Executive Head Chef Restaurant

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. 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. 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 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. 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. If you feel that you can rise to this challenge, then please submit your application as soon as possible. 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 : 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! 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 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; helps you to save wages; gives you access to a financial health score checker. #