Head Chef

Head Chef | 2 AA Rosette Country Hotel | Dartmoor, Devon

£42,000–£45,000 + Tronc + Performance Incentives | Live-In Available | Full Menu Ownership

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head Chef, or a strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step up, to lead the kitchen at an award-winning country hotel in the heart of Dartmoor National Park.

This is a genuine opportunity to take ownership of an established 2 AA Rosette kitchen, shape the food direction and work closely with high-quality local suppliers in one of Devon's most distinctive hospitality settings.

The Hotel

This historic 32-bedroom country hotel sits in a striking riverside location in Dartmoor National Park and combines quality accommodation with an award-winning restaurant, bar, lounges, afternoon tea, weddings, private dining and events.

The hotel holds 3 AA Gold Stars, while the restaurant holds 2 AA Rosettes. The food offer is strongly rooted in seasonal Devon produce, working with local farmers, fishermen and producers, with a focus on modern British cooking and strong regional provenance.

Alongside restaurant service, the kitchen supports weddings, celebrations, conferences and private dining, giving the Head Chef a varied operation to lead and develop.

The Role

As Head Chef, you will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day kitchen operation and future food direction, including:

• Leading, motivating and developing the kitchen brigade


• Maintaining and developing the existing 2 AA Rosette standard


• Creating seasonal menus and introducing new dishes


• Championing local and regional produce


• Managing GP, purchasing, stock and wastage


• Planning rotas and controlling kitchen labour


• Recruiting, training and developing the team


• Overseeing restaurant dining, weddings, functions and hotel events


• Maintaining strong food safety, allergen and compliance standards


• Working closely with the senior hotel management team

There is genuine scope to put your own stamp on the food offer while building on an established Rosette-standard operation.

The Package

• £42,000–£45,000 base salary


• Tronc


• Performance-related incentives


• Live-in accommodation available if required


• Discounted or free food


• Employee discount


• Free on-site parking


• Full-time, permanent position

The Ideal Candidate

You will ideally already be operating as a Head Chef, although an accomplished Senior Sous Chef with the leadership ability and commercial awareness to step up will also be considered.

Experience within a 2 AA Rosette or comparable quality kitchen is highly desirable, together with a strong understanding of GP, labour, stock control, purchasing and team leadership.

A background in quality hotels, country-house properties, restaurants or strong fresh-food operations would fit particularly well.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of an established award-winning kitchen rather than simply inherit a rigid operation. You will have the freedom to shape menus, work closely with excellent local suppliers and lead a varied food operation spanning restaurant dining, hotel guests, weddings and events.

For a chef who values seasonal British cooking, strong provenance and genuine ownership of the kitchen, this is a particularly attractive opportunity in one of Dartmoor's most distinctive hospitality settings.