Executive Head Chef

Head Chef / Executive Head Chef

Central London | £70,000 + Tronc

We are working with a standout boutique hotel in Central London on the appointment of a hands-on Executive Head Chef.

This is a role for a chef who wants to be in the kitchen, on the pass and leading from the front. It is not an office-based Executive Chef position.

The property has a vibrant destination-led F&B operation, with a busy restaurant centred around Mexican cuisine with a strong California influence, alongside a high-energy rooftop bar and a packed programme of events, private dining and celebrations.

The Role

You will lead a brigade of approximately 18–22 chefs across the wider F&B operation.

You will have significant creative freedom and the opportunity to put your own stamp on the food.

Your role will include:

Leading from the front during busy servicesBeing hands-on in the kitchen and on the passDeveloping and evolving menusMaintaining high standards of food, consistency and presentationBuilding, developing and motivating the kitchen brigadeWorking closely with the senior kitchen teamDelivering large-scale events and private diningWorking with the events and marketing teams on special menusManaging food costs, GP and kitchen performanceCreating dishes that reflect the identity of the venueDriving the next stage of growth across the food operation

The operation regularly handles busy restaurant services alongside events, private dining and full venue buyouts, with events reaching up to around 250 covers.

The Food

The core food style is Mexican cuisine with a strong California influence, alongside subtle Japanese influences and a raw bar element.

Mexican experience would be a major advantage, but it is not essential.

We are also interested in chefs with backgrounds across:

Mexican and Latin American cuisineCalifornia-inspired cookingModern sharing conceptsJapanese-influenced foodRaw bar operationsHigh-volume destination restaurantsPremium restaurants, hotels or members clubs

What matters most is that you understand food, have a creative mindset and genuinely love cooking.

You will have the freedom to develop dishes, evolve the menus and create the kind of food that gets people talking.

The Venue

This is a high-profile boutique hotel in Central London with a strong destination F&B operation.The restaurant and rooftop bar attract a mix of regular London clientele, high-profile guests, events and private bookings.The property has recently undergone significant investment across its F&B spaces, creating a fresh platform for the next stage of growth.There is also a strong senior leadership team in place across F&B, sales, marketing and events.

What We're Looking for

We are looking for a chef with:

Proven Head Chef or Executive Chef experienceA genuinely hands-on approachHigh energy and a strong presence in the kitchenA real passion for cooking and developing foodExperience leading a sizeable brigadeStrong commercial understandingExperience with busy service and eventsThe ability to develop and motivate a teamCreativity and an understanding of current food trendsConfidence working across multiple F&B operations

You could come from a hotel, destination restaurant, members club or high-volume restaurant group.

The key is personality, energy, passion and a genuine desire to cook.

£70,000 plus tronc Approx 10kBrigade of approximately 18–22 chefsSignificant creative freedomStrong events and F&B operationCentral London locationOpportunity to work closely with senior ownershipScope to develop the brigade and grow with the business

If you are a chef who still gets excited by service, loves being on the pass and wants the freedom to create, this is an opportunity worth exploring.