Hand Picked Hotels
Chef de Partie
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Chef de Partie
Chef de Partie – Chilston Park Hotel, Hand Picked Hotels
Location: Maidstone, Kent, ME17 2BE Salary: £15 per hour + service charge + exclusive colleague benefits Job Type: Full-time | Permanent | 5 days per week (including weekends on rota)
About the Role
Join our team at Chilston Park Hotel, a luxury country house hotel nestled within 77 acres of breathtaking parkland. Part of the award-winning Hand Picked Hotels group, we specialise in delivering unforgettable weddings, stylish escapes, and exclusive events with a seamless blend of heritage, contemporary flair, and refined elegance.
As a Chef de Partie, you’ll play a vital role in creating exceptional culinary experiences for our guests, ensuring every dish reflects precision, quality, and seasonal inspiration. Working closely with the Head Chef and Sous Chef, you’ll take ownership of a designated kitchen section, supporting the seamless delivery of a high-standard dining experience in our bespoke restaurant, private dining suites, and event spaces.
This is a growing career opportunity for those passionate about hospitality, food craftsmanship, and long-term development in a supportive, inclusive environment where service excellence is non-negotiable.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Operation
- Manage a dedicated kitchen section with ownership over preparation, cooking, plating, and presentation of dishes.
- Work methodically and efficiently during service to ensure timely production without sacrificing quality.
- Oversee mise en place (prep work) to maintain kitchen organisation and workflow.
- Train and mentor junior kitchen staff, fostering a culture of skill development and consistency.
Service & Guest Experience
- Prepare and serve dishes to consistently high standards, ensuring flavour, presentation, and portion control align with seasonal menus and guest expectations.
- Collaborate across the kitchen team to support menu preparation for the full hotel—including banquet, fine dining, and bespoke event catering.
- Uphold the hotel’s reputation for service excellence by delivering timely, bespoke, and memorable dining experiences.
- Report any hygiene or consistency concerns immediately to support our rigorous Health & Safety protocols.
Stock & Operations
- Monitor and maintain stock levels in your allocated section, ensuring waste minimisation and cost control.
- Participate in weekly planning meetings to adjust workflow for peak and off-peak periods.
- Support raw material sourcing and inventory tracking, prioritising quality and sustainability.
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Corporate & Special Events
- Adapt to /events and banquet demands, including different dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.).
- Maintain flexibility during high-service periods, such as weddings, conferences, or festive private functions.
Hours: 40 hours per week (5 days out of 7, including weekends on a rota), subject to seasonal and guest demand fluctuations.
Requirement for the Role
Experience & Skills
- 2+ years in a professional kitchen environment, ideally in a luxury hotel/restaurant.
- Hands-on experience managing a cooking section, demonstrating organisation, leadership, and attention to detail.
- Strong understanding of food safety (Certitude or equivalent), hygiene standards, and HACCP protocols.
- Ability to adapt quickly in fast-paced environments with high guest turnout.
- Proven track record of delivering consistency in quality, pace, and service.
Personal Attributes
- Leading with hospitality in mind—genuine passion for exceeding guest expectations.
- Collaborative approach: willing to work closely with Head Chef, Sous Chef, and colleagues.
- Problem-solving attitude and a can-do mentality when refining dishes or overcoming challenges.
- The ability to maintain composure under pressure while ensuring a positive team environment.
- A welcoming and adaptable attitude, capable of supporting diverse guest needs.
What’s In It for You?
Chilston Park Hotel and Hand Picked Hotels offer an exceptional work-life balance, professional growth, and unparalleled benefits, reflecting our family-founded values:
Competitive Award & Pension
- Starting at £15/hour + share of the service charge.
- Enhanced company pension scheme with employer contributions.
- Life assurance benefits included.
Career Development & Training
- Access to in-house and external professional qualifications, including:
- Apprenticeships.
- Industry-recognized kitchen and service training.
- Support to upskill via full payment of course fees and certification.
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Wellbeing & Work Culture
- 28 days annual leave (rising to 33+ days with length of service, including bank holidays).
- Welcome, inclusive team culture that celebrates diversity and long-lasting colleague friendships.
- Uniform and meals provided during shifts (croissants listed!).
Exclusive Perks
- Free onsite parking (where applicable).
- Regular team gatherings and appreciation events, including:
- Colleague of the Month awards leading to an annual employee awards ceremony.
- Annual loyalty rewards, such as afternoon teas, spa treatments, and overnight stays at Hand Picked Hotels.
- 20% restaurant and spa discount across the Hand Picked Hotels portfolio.
- Online retail discount platform with 1000+ partner offers (ovie stores, dining, lifestyle).
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for personal and professional wellbeing support.
Hand Picked Hospitality Benefits
- Trained to professional standards in personalised, echoing-enticing service.
- Job flexibility—continue to develop while enjoying seamless work-life balance.
- Hand Picked values: Care, individuality, community, and sustainability, reflected in all daily operations.
About Hand Picked Hotels
Founded in 2001 by Julia Hands MBE, Hand Picked Hotels remains a small, family-owned group of 21 distinctive luxury retreats, from the Scottish Highlands to the Channel Islands. Each property is renowned for its iconic British architectural character, unspoiled locations, and exceptional guest experiences, embedding a sustainable ethos through the Green Tourism certification.
Our team culture is rooted in shared purpose: to deliver magic, caring service and exits that leave guests expected.
Equal Opportunities Employer We welcome applications from all qualified candidates who meet the entry requirements. Eligibility to live and work in the UK is essential.
Ready to apply? If you’re an honest experiences chef looking to thrive in a luxury hospitality setting with long-term career prospects, apply today—you could be part of something truly special.
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