Job Description

Hastings Hotels is a family owned, luxury hotel group based in Northern Ireland.


We value our people. It's our people who provide the excellent experience we offer to all our guests. When we work together we can do amazing things.


Are you a motivated, proactive person who cares deeply about creating exceptional experiences for your guests? Do you take personal pride in delivering 5-star, luxury service? If so, we would welcome you to apply for the position of

Head Chef

at

The Cultra Inn

, on the grounds of the exclusive

Culloden Estate & Spa

.


As one of County Down's finest bars and restaurants, The Cultra Inn provides the freshest and most mouth-watering menus. From breakfast to dinner, we use only the finest locally sourced ingredients to create memorable dishes that showcase the best local, seasonal produce.


Under the inspiring leadership of Mark Begley, Executive Head Chef for the Estate, you will take ownership of the Inn's Kitchen team, ensuring smooth day-to-day management, and the execution of Hastings Standards. We want to help you to develop your skills and offer an extensive range of learning and development opportunities.


The successful candidate will have experience running a busy Kitchen, and be able to lead, motivate and support team members to achieve success. You can expect to work 45 hours per week (excluding breaks), five shifts out of seven including weekends. Find out more about why our people love working for Hastings Hotels here.


The salary for this full-time position ranges from 35,000 to 40,000 per annum depending on your experience.


We offer a range of benefits including free staff meals, employee discounts, tip sharing, and opportunities for career progression and development. For further details about our employee benefits click here.


The company reserves the right to apply enhanced short-listing criteria.


To find out more about Hastings Hotels and what our company offers please visit https://www.hastingshotels.com/careers.html


Hastings Hotels is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

About The Role

To be responsible for the effective management of the Kitchen for the greatest enjoyment of the guests and maximum profit contribution to the hotel.

Responsibility for managing the smooth and efficient operation of the Kitchen to ensure the Cultra Inn's reputation for quality is maintained. Ensuring the planning, preparation, cooking, and presentation of food is always to the standards required by the Hotel and its guests. Contributing to the development of the department's business plan, projects, and initiatives in order to develop the business and market position. Full accountability for managing the culinary budget and controlling all kitchen expenditure in the Cultra Inn. Ensuring Company policies relating to stock management and stock ordering are implemented and monitored, taking appropriate action to resolve problems. Ensuring both you, and the team complies with all matters relating to food hygiene regulations, environmental health laws and all other relevant legislation. Ensuring the security of the kitchen and storage areas is maintained at all times. Ensuring all kitchen employees receive appropriate training, coaching, and development to meet the Hastings standard. Ensuring Hastings quality standards and procedures are fully understood, implemented, and regularly reviewed, and that formal and informal feedback is delivered to ensure continual improvement. To manage and motivate employees through effective communication, training, and development in accordance with company policies and relevant employment legislation, ensuring HR procedures are followed. Conducting team meetings on a regular basis to communicate standards required, targets, and company information. Briefing Front of House teams daily on menus, ingredients, and any relevant changes. To assist with the recruitment, selection and utilisation of kitchen employees to achieve the optimum use of resources in line with business peaks and troughs. Ensuring all kitchen areas, fixtures and equipment are properly maintained and presented to the Hastings standard. Working effectively with colleagues across departments to ensure a harmonious working environment, where all employees are treated with respect and dignity. Any other duties as required by the senior management team.

Required Criteria

Proven experience as a Senior Chef in a high-quality establishment Right to Work in the United Kingdom Excellent communication skills including good command of the English Language Experience with menu planning, recipe development, and food presentation. Strong leadership and team-building skills Certification in food handling and safety (e.g., HACCP, Level 2/3 Food Safety) A solid understanding of stock control and budgeting Ability to work well under pressure and be a team player

Desired Criteria

A Degree or diploma in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management.

Skills Needed

Budget Control, Exceptional Customer Service Skills, Chefing Skills, Food Costing Skills, Menu Engineering Skills, HACCP/Food Safety Management Skills

About The Company

Hastings Hotels owns and operates six hotels in Northern Ireland, with over 1,000 bedrooms, one stand-alone grill bar/restaurant and a luxury spa. From city centre buzz to seaside resort, each outlet has a distinctive personality and market positioning. Over 50 years this family owned business has successfully earned its identity and in a crowded market place because we place quality at the heart of what we do. Quality in the design of our properties and their upkeep. Quality in the local sourcing of the food and drink we offer our guests. And quality in our people, people with personality, attention to detail, and a desire to develop their careers with us.

Company Culture

Our guests remember small details. The open fires in the front hall. The supremely comfy beds. The fabulous breakfast... and the interactions they had with our staff.


It is more important that you have the correct behaviours and attitude than every last qualification... we can help you attain that. We place great attention on recruitment, induction, and integrating you into your department, your hotel, and the Group.


We want you to think about how you want to develop your career with us, and we promise to do what we can to help you on that journey.


As a result, we are proud to have some of the best staff retention levels in the hospitality industry.

Company Benefits

We offer a range of benefits including free staff meals, cash and credit card tips, employee discounts, 29 days holiday plus your birthday off, and opportunities for career progression and development.


Vacation, Paid time off, Retirement plan and/or pension, Employee development programs, Employee discounts, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Event tickets, Preferential room rates, Family and friends rates, Discount on meals purchased , Discount on spa treatments or products, Long service recognition, Free meals during shifts, Free parking or Discounted parking , Employee Assistance Scheme, Wellbeing Scheme, Social Opportunities, Employee of the Month

Salary

35,000.00 - 40,000.00 per year