Head Chef – Co. Kildare
Excel Recruitment is delighted to be recruiting a Head Chef on behalf of our client's hotel in Co. Kildare. This is a brilliant opportunity for an experienced and motivated chef to lead a busy, high-performing kitchen team in a quality-driven hotel environment.
Salary: €55k – €60k
Responsibilities:
1. Take overall responsibility for the hotel's kitchen and food service operation
2. Lead, coach, and develop a kitchen team of approximately 12, including chefs and kitchen porters
3. Work in partnership with the Food & Beverage Manager and hotel owners/directors on menu direction, food strategy, and long-term planning
4. Manage kitchen budgets, food costs, payroll targets, and departmental performance in line with business goals
5. Create, plan, and evolve menus that reflect guest expectations, seasonal produce, and hotel standards
6. Maintain and oversee the kitchen HACCP programme, ensuring full compliance and best practice at all times
7. Drive continuous training, upskilling, and progression within the kitchen team
8. Control stock through accurate ordering, rotation, and regular stocktakes
9. Plan rosters effectively to meet business demands while maintaining strong labour control
Requirements:
10. Proven experience as a Head Chef in a hotel or high-volume kitchen environment
11. Strong leadership skills with a hands-on, motivating approach
12. Excellent culinary ability with a passion for fresh, seasonal food
13. Strong knowledge of HACCP, food safety legislation, and best practice procedures
14. Commercially aware, with experience managing food costs, margins, and kitchen budgets
15. Highly organised, calm under pressure, and able to lead by example
16. Flexibility to work across a 7-day roster, including weekends and peak event periods