Head Chef


Company:	Search Consultancy LTD
Salary:	£36,000 to £40,000 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Upminster, RM14 3BP
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	16 Sept 2026
Closing date:	16 Oct 2026

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Summary

We're looking for a

passionate, creative and guest focused Head Chef to take the lead in the kitchen of a truly unique, high end hospitality environment.

This is more than a traditional Head Chef role.

You'll have the opportunity to put your stamp on the food offering, lead a talented kitchen team and play a central role in creating an exceptional guest experience.

Set in a relaxed and unique resort environment, food is a huge part of our guests overall experience and stay. They passionate about

fresh, nutritious, beautifully presented food, and we're looking for a Head Chef who shares that passion and wants the freedom to bring their own ideas, creativity and personality to the kitchen.

You'll have real influence over the food offering, from

menu development and fresh ingredient selection through to presentation, standards and delivery. You'll also have the opportunity to spend time with guests, talking about the food, sharing your knowledge and seeing first hand the impact your team and your dishes have on their experience.

This is your kitchen, your food and your opportunity to make an impact.

As Head Chef, you'll take responsibility for the day to day leadership of the kitchen, inspiring and developing your team while ensuring consistently exceptional standards across food quality, presentation, hygiene and service.

We're looking for someone who is confident leading from the front, enjoys developing people and has the creativity and passion to continually evolve the food offering.

And then there's the part that makes this Head Chef opportunity particularly different...

2 weekends off every month. No late finishes. A genuine 42-hour working week.

A chance to lead a premium kitchen

without sacrificing your work life balance.

What we're looking for

Proven experience as a

Head Chef, Sous Chef ready to step up, or Kitchen Manager

Experience within a high-quality catering, hospitality, hotel, resort or similar environment

A genuine passion for

fresh, healthy and nutritious food

Creativity and enthusiasm for developing menus and new dishes

Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, coach and develop a kitchen team

Excellent organisation and the ability to manage a busy kitchen effectively

High standards of food quality, presentation and consistency

Excellent knowledge of food hygiene, kitchen safety and HACCP

Strong communication skills and a genuine guest-focused approach

A positive, professional and hands-on attitude

Someone who enjoys working in a relaxed environment while still maintaining exceptional standards

What you'll enjoy

2 weekends off every month

No late finishes

A genuine

42 hour working week

The opportunity to

lead and shape the kitchen

Freedom to contribute your own ideas to menus and the wider food offering

Working with

fresh, quality ingredients

The opportunity to interact with guests and share your passion for food

A unique and relaxed premium hospitality environment

The opportunity to build, develop and inspire your own kitchen team

Training and development opportunities

A supportive and friendly working environment

A varied role where

no two days are the same

Free meals on duty

A Head Chef role with a difference

If you're a chef who wants

ownership, creativity and the opportunity to make a genuine difference, while still having a work life balance that is rare in hospitality, we'd love to hear from you.

Bring your passion. Bring your ideas. Lead the kitchen. Create food guests remember.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the location, you will need your own transport.

Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.

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