Resort Executive Chef

Crieff Hydro Limited; Crieff; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality business in the UK is seeking an exceptional Executive Chef to lead culinary operations across multiple restaurants and service styles. The successful candidate will not only ensure food quality and operational excellence but also develop Head Chefs and senior kitchen teams. With a responsibility for up to 1500 guests daily, this role demands a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a passion for food culture. The ideal candidate should inspire creativity and maintain consistent quality while managing costs effectively. A range of benefits including live-in accommodation and discounts is offered.

Benefits

Live-in accommodation

Exclusive discounts

Discounted hotel stays

Refer a friend bonus

Guest mention rewards

Career progression opportunities

Wellbeing support

Team events and annual party

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Senior Head Chef overseeing multiple kitchens.
• Experience in large hotels, resorts or destination dining environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee food quality, consistency, culture, and cost control.
• Develop Head Chefs and senior kitchen teams.
• Shape future food strategies including menu planning.

Skills

Leadership of large teams

Commercial acumen

Strategic thinking

Passion for developing people

Job description

Be part of the Family
We’re a family business through and through – family owned since 1868, family run and with a warm family welcome for guests and team alike. Our seven hotels are unique and set in three stunning Scottish locations. Some are big, some are small, but all offer fantastic food and drink, cozy beds and a wealth of things to do.

We offer an expansive range of benefits to help you make the most of life outside of work, and we’re committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels heard and valued.

We treat our guests like family, and we support our people the same way. If you’re someone who lives our values of Be Creative, Be Curious, Be Thoughtful, Be Positive and Be You, you’ll fit right in.

Crieff Hydro Hotel
Crieff Hydro is one of Scotland’s most iconic hospitality businesses, welcoming over 200,000 guests a year across our hotels, restaurants, bars and experiences. Recent major investments have seen our kitchens, restaurants and bars at Crieff Hydro transformed to provide an updated offering to our guests.

About The Role

We are now seeking an exceptional Executive Chef to lead our entire culinary operation across multiple restaurants, kitchens, concepts and service styles. This is a senior leadership role, responsible for culinary vision, operational excellence, people development and commercial performance.

At Crieff Hydro, food is not a department — it is a defining part of the guest experience. Within the portfolio of restaurants we have on site, we can be feeding as many as 1500 guests and 400 staff in a day, from smaller fine dining experiences to events catering for up to 800, this really is a year‑round operation.

The successful candidate will live and lead by our values:
Be Creative Be Curious. Be Thoughtful. Be Positive. Be You

What We Are Looking For

• A proven Executive Chef or Senior Head Chef with experience overseeing and leading multiple kitchens and restaurant concepts.
• A confident, inspiring leader of large, diverse brigades.
• Strong commercial acumen: GP control, labour planning, menu engineering and stock discipline.
• A strategic thinker who can balance creativity with consistency at scale.
• Passionate about developing people, culture and future culinary leaders.
• Experience in large hotels, resorts or destination dining environments is highly desirable.
• Calm, credible and visible leadership style — present on the floor and in the kitchens.

What You Will Be Responsible For

As Executive Chef, you will hold overall responsibility for food quality, consistency, culture, cost control, culinary direction and of course, your people across the resort. You will lead and develop our Head Chefs and senior kitchen teams, ensuring every outlet delivers to brand standards while retaining its own identity.

You will work closely with senior leadership to shape the future of food at Crieff Hydro — from menu strategy and planning to talent development and guest satisfaction — ensuring our decisions are data‑driven and commercially sound.

What We Need From You

• Champion the EAST concept and continuously evolve it.
• Lead, inspire and develop the team around you.
• Deliver strong GP, labour control and stock discipline.
• Contribute to the creation of menus that are exciting, profitable and guest data‑driven.
• Make Crieff Hydro a place chefs are proud to work.
• Live and breathe by the company values of Be Creative, Be Curious, Be Thoughtful, Be Positive and Be You.

What You’ll Get From Us

• Live‑in Accommodation – On‑site, affordable housing with bills included may be available. Most rooms are single occupancy with an ensuite, though this isn’t guaranteed. Availability and rates (set by HMRC) can be discussed at interview.
• Exclusive Discounts – Enjoy free leisure membership for you and a partner, 30% off retail, 50% of food and drinks, and reduced rates on hotel activities.
• Team Rate Hotel Stays – Take time to recharge with discounted stays at all of our hotels from just £30 per night.
• Refer a Friend Bonus – Earn up to £250‑£500 for each successful team member or manager which you recommend to us.
• Guest Mention Rewards – Earn £5 every time a guest gives you a positive shoutout in a review.
• A Friendly & Supportive Team – Work in a fun, welcoming environment where team spirit and well‑being are a priority.
• Career Progression – With seven hotels, multiple departments, and a wide range of roles, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow and explore new career paths.
• Wellbeing Support – Get 24/7 confidential support via the Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme, covering mental health, finances, and more.
• Team Events & Annual Staff Party – We love to celebrate our people! Enjoy team events throughout the year and a legendary annual staff party.

Careers at the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels

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Facebook: Crieff Hydro Family Careers | Crieff
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Please note: This opportunity does not qualify for sponsorship. To be considered for this role, you must have the right to work in the UK.