Executive Head Chef

WELCOME TO A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES AT THE WORLD'S #1 BEST WORKPLACE, AWARDED BY GREAT PLACE TO WORK & FORTUNE. 

Conrad London St. James is one of Hilton’s four global luxury brands. As a brand it reflects the bold, inspired and personalised service we offer our guests. The hotel itself is  renowned for its excellent service and is in the top 5% of hotels in London and the Top 10% in the world.

A World of Rewards:

• Competitive Salary plus annual bonus
• A global travel program for team members
• Uniforms
• Meals whilst on duty
• To be part of a fabulous team

The hotel, located in the heart of Westminster, has 256 beautifully appointed bedrooms and large Food & Drink operation within the hotel that offers the successful candidate a great opportunity to really push the boundaries with creative quality food offering in line with the standards and luxury service Conrad is famous for.

• The Pem, a glamourous and elegant restaurant in the centre of the hotel showcasing classic British cuisine using modern techniques. 
• The Blue Boar Pub, opened May 2021 a contemporary take on a British pub. 
• The Hedgerow, the hotel’s first cocktail bar, which takes inspiration from the beauty of the traditional British countryside 
• InfiniTEA at The Orchard for afternoon tea 
• The Executive Lounge, an exclusive space dedicated to our most valued guests, providing a higher level of luxury and personalized service.
• Seven Meetings & Events Spaces catering for up to 300 people at once, perfectly designed to host a wide range of gatherings and events, each space offers the same commitment to quality, luxury, and service excellence that define Conrad London St. James.
• Team member restaurant catering for up to 150 team members a day

What will I be doing?

Reporting to the Director of Food and Beverage leading a brigade of 40 chefs & a back of house team, working closely with consultant chef Sally Abe. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop and execute a culinary vision in alignment with the overall goals of the hotel. 
• Lead and inspire the culinary team, providing guidance on culinary techniques, menu development, and presentation. 
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, providing mentorship, coaching, and development opportunities for culinary team members. 
• Ensure hotel compliance with all health and safety and food safety legislation along with brand guidance on food safety.
• Implement succession planning strategies to identify and nurture future leaders within the culinary department. 
• Ensure optimal stock control and purchasing decisions to maximize operational efficiency
• Maintain a visibility in the operation at key times to support operational teams and the guest experience. 
• Drive a culture of innovation and creativity within the culinary team, fostering an environment that values experimentation and excellence. 
• Develop strong internal relationships internally across the hotel, with suppliers and contractors. 
• Drive profitability through effective management of kitchen operations, cost control, and menu engineering 
• Ensure payroll is managed within budget and allows for true work life balance for the team.

What are we looking for?

• Previous, relevant experience as an Executive Chef
• Experience in managing a kitchen with multiple stakeholders including external guidelines for Menus
• Creative and Innovative with excellent food and UK supplier knowledge.
• A leadership style that is authentic, engaging, and strategic
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to build relationships, internal and external, to the hotel and the Company
• A positive, can-do attitude that shows resilience and maturity with strong communication skills.
• Great understanding of luxury components, with a sharp attention to detail and high focus on service.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines

Travel and Location

• St James Park Tube station - District & Circle Line – (literally just across the road)
• Westminster Tube Station - Jubilee Line (4 mins walk)
• Victoria Station (6 mins walk)
• Waterloo Station – Mainline (10 mins walk)