Head Chef Ltd

The gardens of Lowther Castle are unique, with a range of surviving garden layouts dating back to the early 17th century. The restoration project aims to unearth the hidden gardens, which have been overtaken by 70 years of debris and decay, in a way that respects the rich history and layouts of the original 17th century garden. The key aim of the project is to preserve and protect this original layout and historic features whilst developing some areas of the gardens with a modern touch in line with the garden master plan.

Our intention is to create a world class garden visitor attraction.

• Job title:
  
  Head Chef
• Period of
  
  Contract:
  
  Permanent
• Responsible to:
  Catering/Visitor Services Manager
• Responsible for:
  Kitchens and seasonal food offer at Lowther Castle
• Working with:
  Catering Supervisors
• Based at:
  Lowther Castle and Gardens, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HH
• Salary:
  Salary dependant on experience.

As the head chef you will work closely with the Catering/Visitor Manager to coordinate and run the kitchens at Lowther Castle, to deliver a high-quality food offer and to help achieve the set financial targets of the department.

• Overseeing Operations:
  Run and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the kitchen working with the other chefs and bakers to ensure a consistently high quality of customer service and food is delivered to every visitor, every day, ensuring that all food goes out in a timely fashion.
• Innovation:
  Prepare seasonal menu choices which are driven from locally sourced ingredients, this will include seasonal daily specials, which must be financially viable
• Purchasing:
  The head chef is responsible for ordering ingredients and maintaining necessary inventory
• Training and
  
  Education:
  
  It is expected that the head chef is to build his/her knowledge, and to train and educate new chefs/apprentices.
• Safety Regulations:
  All safety regulations must be adhered to by the head chef to ensure employee safety and cafe cleanliness. You must follow environmental health and health and safety regulations and ensure the kitchens are ready for inspection at any time.
• Customer Satisfaction:
  The head chef is to ensure customer satisfaction and seek feedback on menu items.
• Maintaining Quality:
  To be successful, the head chef must continually check the quality of the culinary product.

• Work with the Catering/Visitor Services Manager to ensure the correct management of budgets.
• Carry out daily cleaning and prepare schedules for cleaning kitchens, organizing deep cleans and annual maintenance of large pieces of equipment.
• Report any unsafe practices or broken equipment so that remedial action can be taken immediately.
• Promote customer loyalty and return visitors.
• Assist to achieve Lowther Castle’s objectives in sales, service, quality, appearance and cleanliness through training and encouraging your colleagues in creating a positive, productive working environment.
• Ensure you are fully compliant with health and safety, fire, GDPR and other relevant legislation at all times.
• Contribute towards the delivery of hospitality and occasional events around site including the set-up, service and clear down as required.
• Deal with customer queries or requests in a polite and efficient manner.
• Present a smart, professional appearance and good personal hygiene.
• Attend meetings and training sessions as required.
• Report any incidents of accident, fire, theft, loss or damage and act as appropriately.
• Carry out any reasonable request from any member of the Management team within the general scope and purpose of the job.

• Extensive experience of working in a similar role
• Ability to deliver…