Job Title:Head Chef

Reports to:General Manager High Force Hotel and Estate Chef

Department/Function:Leisure and Tourism

Location:High Force Hotel and Waterfall, DL12 0XH

Hours:Full time (48 hours per week) 5 over 7 days to include weekends and bank holidays

Salary:£40,000 - £45,000 per annum depending on skills and experience

Job Ref:VA109 - 2023

Purpose of Job

High Force Hotel & Waterfall is situated in the North Pennines AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the waterfall attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, being one of the most natural iconic visitor attractions in the North of England. The hotel has 11 bedrooms all designed and finished to a high standard and retaining many of the original features of this beautiful country inn. It is a very popular destination for short breaks, good food and magnificent scenery.

We are looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Head Chef to lead our kitchen team. The candidate we are seeking will have a proactive approach to hospitality, with the resilience, pride and motivation to strive for excellence at every opportunity with regards to food service standards. This is an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious country estate with a developing business, offering huge opportunities for progression.

The High Force hotel is popular with discerning guests who enjoy a dinner menu bursting with local produce and a beautifully cooked breakfast, before setting off to explore the area. The hotel also enjoys exceptionally busy lunchtime business and operates a separate takeaway kiosk serving lunches, hot drinks and ice cream. The kitchen team must be multi-skilled and capable of dealing with high volume, without compromising quality.

The successful candidate must be a strong team player - this is a small, busy team and an ability to work well with colleagues is a must. The team consists of two strong chefs and is supported by kitchen assistants at busy times. Applicants will be able to demonstrate exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and must be prepared to be flexible around the needs of the business. Our Head Chef will lead on the creation and execution of an excellent dinner menu but must be flexible to cover a range of duties, where required. This is a hands-on role, 5 days per week. Holidays and weekends are the busiest times.

The Head Chef will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of kitchen compliance and will ensure that all relevant documentation and records are kept up to date and recorded in accordance with our legislation and our kitchen management system.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Overall Responsibility for managing all aspects of the Kitchen Environment.
• An ability to handle weddings, events and shooting party business.
• Must be capable of running a successful kitchen with minimal direction, ensuring absolute compliance with food safety legislation.
• To act responsibility and safely at all times, demonstrating excellent standards and safety principles across the business.
• To be fully aware of financials targets and business objectives. This to include sales, purchasing, profit margins, stock and payroll controls.
• Effective food stock management, ordering, stock checks.
• Have an ability to create innovative and vibrant menus with a focus on local produce and demonstrate this from previous experience in a similar environment.
• Work alongside the front of house management team to ensure the smooth running of the business.
• Have an ability to adapt and change around the needs of our versatile business.
• To comply with all statutory requirements and local authority directives.
• To assist with helping the business reduce its environmental impact.
• To be fully aware of and strictly comply with security procedures at all times.
• To undertake any other reasonable project or task as requested by the management to grow and improve the business.

Skills Required:

• Experience in a Head Chef or Senior Sous chef role.
• Flexibility to work on a rota.
• Positive attitude.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• A genuine personality with enthusiasm, ambitious and driven.

Qualifications

Food Hygiene Level 3 (preferred but not essential)

Overview of Raby Estates

Raby Estates is a family run business that has been operating in County Durham and Shropshire for many centuries. The estate is diverse with departments ranging from farming to property, land management, forestry and leisure and tourism.

Raby Castle near Staindrop has been the home of the Vane family for generations and is a vibrant visitor attraction which is open year-round. Raby Castle is currently going through a development known as The Rising which will significantly enhance the visitor experience at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, supporting the Estates ambition to become one of the regions leading tourist attractions.

The High Force Hotel and Waterfall is another successful attraction within the estate, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The hotel has been recently refurbished to a very high

standard and welcomes many guests for relaxing stays, events and great hospitality. There is a great opportunity to further grow and enhance facilities at this location, therefore this position offers a great chance for career development with Raby.

What we have to offer

Its people that make a place, without people, a place is simply an empty shell. At Raby this is certainly true, its our people that make Raby special.

We strive to offer our employees an excellent working environment and the tools to perform, enabling them to achieve their goals and be the best they can be.

As well as some of the most iconic locations to work we offer:

• Attractive Salary
• 33 days holiday (inclusive of statutory holidays)
• Group Pension Scheme (7.7% employer contribution)
• Group Life Insurance
• Free Car Parking
• Employee Health Cash Plan
• Continuous improvement through staff training and staff development programmes
• Discounts at our retail and food outlets
• Discounts to our Shropshire holiday cottage and High Force Hotel
• Free access into our leisure attractions at Raby Castle and High Force
• Behind the scenes tour of Raby Castle
• Raby Estate social events throughout the year
• Meals on duty