Now Hiring at The Grace
The Grace | Where Excellence meets Opportunity
Westport, County Mayo | Full-Time | Pre-Opening Opportunity
Join The Grace Westport Estate, a remarkable new hotel opening in Spring 2026 on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, at the heart of the captivating Westport Estate.
Job Summary:
We are looking for a passionate and experienced Head Chef to lead our culinary team at The Grace Westport Estate. This role requires a hands-on leader who can not only manage daily kitchen operations but also drive business growth and maintain the highest standards of culinary excellence and food safety across all our venues.
Principle Responsibilities
Culinary & Operational Leadership
* Lead, manage, and inspire the kitchen brigade, establishing performance and development goals for all team members.
* Develop and refine menus, creating a mix of traditional and contemporary dishes that reflect our brand and satisfy diverse palates.
* Oversee all kitchen operations, including ingredient procurement, recipe standardization, food preparation, and presentation.
* Maintain all kitchen equipment and storerooms, ensuring they are in proper operational condition and cleaned regularly.
Financial Management
* Manage all food purchases to ensure the budgeted food cost percentage is maintained in accordance with actual revenues.
* Maintain and increase food profit margins and achieve agreed budget targets set by management.
* Maintain updated and accurate costing and documentation for all dishes.
Team Development & Management
* Lead, train, and inspire the kitchen staff to ensure culinary and hygienic standards are met.
* Educate and train the team on brand standards, service behaviours, and governmental regulations.
* Coordinate performance management by managing staff appraisals on an ongoing basis.
Compliance & Safety
* Ensure complete adherence to governmental food safety regulations and company policies.
* Implement and enforce a cleaning schedule and ensure all staff are aware of the importance of maintaining back-of-house areas.
* Perform ad-hoc tasks or projects as assigned by Management.
This job description is not intended to be either prescriptive or exhaustive, it is issued as a framework to outline main areas of responsibility at the time of writing.
Required Experience & Skills
* Minimum 3 years' experience in a similar role in a luxury hotel environment
* Proven leadership and team management skills
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* Strong organisational skills with a focus on the details
* Extensive knowledge of food safety standards
The Grace Westport Estate is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create and maintain a diverse workforce where everyone is respected and included.