Sous Chef jobs in Baginton

Head Chef, The Chace, Coventry

Up to £45,000 per annum + TRONC + 10% bonus, realistic package up to £55,000 per annum

Start Date: Jan 2027

Job Summary

The Chace, Coventry is preparing for an exciting new chapter, reopening in early 2027 following an extensive transformation.

Formerly the Iliffe Hotel by Laura Ashley, The Chace is a characterful hotel set within attractive grounds on the outskirts of Coventry. As part of Distinct Group Ltd, the property will reopen with a renewed focus on quality food, warm hospitality and memorable guest experiences.

Distinct Group operates a growing collection of hotels and hospitality venues, with properties across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Warwickshire. We are proud members of the Hoteliers’ Charter and are committed to fairness, inclusion, employee wellbeing and creating genuine opportunities for people to develop their careers with us.

We are looking for an experienced and ambitious Head Chef to play a key role in the reopening of The Chace.

This is much more than simply taking over an established kitchen. You will have the opportunity to work alongside the Group Head Chef to build the food operation, develop your brigade and help shape the culinary identity of the hotel from the outset.

Ahead of the reopening, the successful candidate will also work across other Distinct Group properties in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Warwickshire. This will provide the opportunity to get to know the wider business, work alongside our existing kitchen teams, assist with training and development, and understand the standards and culture we want to bring to The Chace.

Requirements of the Role

As Head Chef, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day food operation at The Chace and play an important role in preparing the hotel for its reopening.

Your responsibilities will include recruiting, building and developing a strong kitchen brigade, implementing menus across the hotel’s food and beverage operation, and establishing the kitchen standards, systems and procedures required ahead of opening. You will be responsible for delivering consistently high standards of food quality and presentation while managing food costs, margins, wage costs and overall kitchen financial performance. You will manage supplier relationships, work closely with our Procurement Manager and ensure excellent standards of food hygiene, health & safety and kitchen compliance.

Working alongside the hotel’s operational and front-of-house teams, you will play an important role in delivering an excellent guest experience. During the pre-opening period, you will also support training and development across other Distinct Group properties in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Warwickshire, while creating a positive kitchen culture where people are supported, developed and expected to perform at their best.

The Chace will have a significant and busy food and beverage operation at the heart of the hotel. Our brasserie will be the main focus, with over 100 covers serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, alongside a dedicated afternoon tea room, event and function spaces and an outside terrace. We are creating a destination-led food operation with the brasserie expected to be a busy, high-volume outlet in its own right, appealing to local diners as well as hotel guests.

You will be a great fit for this role if you have previously held a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef position within a quality-driven hotel or restaurant operation. You’ll understand kitchen financials and cost controls, be confident managing food safety and compliance, and have a genuine passion for fresh, well-executed food.

Most importantly, we're looking for a calm and credible kitchen leader who can build a brigade, develop people and create a kitchen environment that performs consistently, even when the pressure is on.

For the right person, this is a rare opportunity to put your own stamp on a hotel from the beginning while joining a growing hospitality group with opportunities beyond a single property.

What's on Offer?

• £45,000 per year + TRONC + 10% bonus, realistic package up to £55,000.
• 42.5-hour contract.
• The opportunity to lead the kitchen through the pre-opening and reopening of The Chace in early 2027.
• Experience and involvement across other Distinct Group hotels during the pre-opening period.
• Genuine career development within a growing hotel group.
• Staff discounts on accommodation, food and beverage.
• Access to a retail, leisure and lifestyle discount platform.
• Wellbeing support, including a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP.
• Cycle to Work and pension schemes.
• Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year rewards.
• Length of service rewards.

If The Chace sounds like the right place for the next stage of your career, we'd love to hear from you.

Send us your CV and tell us why you would be the perfect person to lead the kitchen as we bring The Chace back to life.

Pay: Up to £55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person