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Job Summary:
The Loch Rannoch Hotel is a thriving 4-star resort located in the stunning Scottish Highlands, offering a culinary experience that draws residents and non-residents alike. Featuring The Estate Room, our AA Rosette-awarded restaurant, and The Wild Brownie, a welcoming pub-style family dining space, our hotel is renowned for its exceptional offerings.
With our own 52 bedrooms, as well as 85 timeshare homes on the estate and other lodging options around Loch Rannoch, and a takeaway service for the local market, this is a very busy operation, exceeding our own occupancy numbers. Our culinary program includes breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and takeaway options, making us a popular dining destination for locals and visitors. We aim to elevate and refine our offerings, setting ourselves apart as a leader in Scottish hospitality.
Were seeking an experienced and dynamic Head Chef to lead our kitchen operations, ensuring smooth service, exceptional guest experiences, and culinary excellence across all outlets. This is a key leadership role for a driven individual with a passion for Scottish cuisine, creativity in the kitchen, and a strong understanding of high-volume operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Menu Development
- Design and deliver menus that showcase the best of Scottish cuisine, combining tradition with innovation and utilising seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
- Ensure high-quality, distinct dining experiences across all offerings, from refined dishes in The Estate Room to approachable meals in The Wild Brownie and takeaway options.
- Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, train, and develop the existing culinary team, fostering a culture of excellence, consistency, and creativity.
- Support team members in achieving their professional growth goals and ensure smooth collaboration during busy service periods.
- Operational Management
- Oversee kitchen operations for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and takeaway services, ensuring efficiency and consistency.
- Manage the demands of a high-volume operation that caters to residents, and non-residents alike.
Health & Safety Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with health, safety, and food hygiene regulations, including maintaining up-to-date paperwork, SOPs and allergen documentation.
- Conduct regular audits and inspections to ensure kitchen practices meet required standards.
- Financial Management
- Control food costs, labour costs, and minimise waste to ensure profitability while maintaining exceptional standards.
- Develop strong relationships with local suppliers to source the freshest ingredients in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.
- Guest Experience
- Consistently deliver memorable dining experiences that reflect the hotels dedication to quality and innovation.
- Elevate the hotel's culinary reputation by refining offerings and continuously enhancing guest satisfaction.
What Were Looking For
- Experience:
- Proven track record as a Head Chef in a 4-star hotel or busy fine-dining restaurant, ideally with rosette recognition.
- Experience managing operations that include multiple service offerings (e.g., fine dining, pub meals, takeaway).
- Leadership:
- An inspiring and hands-on leader with a passion for training, mentoring, and motivating kitchen staff.
- Ability to thrive under pressure in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Skills:
- Expertise in Scottish cuisine with the ability to elevate traditional flavours and techniques.
- Strong financial acumen and the ability to manage food costs and gross profit margins.
- Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Attributes:
- Creative, driven, and passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences.
- Calm and solution-focused in a high-pressure environment.
- Dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation.
What We Offer
- Accommodation available, if required.
- Competitive pay, commensurate with experience.
- Pension contributions.
- Discounted stays at the Loch Rannoch Hotel.
- Bonus structure and share of TRONC.
- Opportunity to lead a culinary team in one of Scotlands most picturesque and sought-after dining destinations.
Join us at the Loch Rannoch Hotel, where your culinary expertise will play a central role in shaping the experiences of residents and non-residents alike. Take the lead in a busy and thriving kitchen, delivering exceptional dining across our popular outlets and takeaway services.
Apply now and be part of our journey to redefine Scottish hospitality!
