The Royal Hotel
Head Chef - The Royal Hotel, Isle of Wight
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Head Chef Opportunity – The Royal Hotel, Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Salary: £50,000–£60,000 per annum Contract: Full-time, 5 days per week Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight Tenure Options: Temporary live-in positions available
About the Role
The Royal Hotel, one of the UK’s most highly regarded food destination hotels—a 4 Silver Star Isle of Wight establishment—seeks a talented, experienced, and ambitious Head Chef to lead its kitchen as the hotel continues its evolution and expansion.
You will oversee one of the Island’s most respected kitchens, renowned for its exceptional culinary standards and creativity. The heart of the hotel’s dining experience is The Geranium Restaurant, which has held 2 AA Rosettes for 30 years and won the Beautiful South award for four consecutive years. The Royal Hotel delivers fine dining, relaxed lunches, seasonal classics, light bites, afternoon tea, breakfast service, and a beloved Sunday lunch—all while championing local Isle of Wight produce.
The ideal candidate should bring expertise in leadership, culinary innovation, and team development to shape the hotel’s next stage in IOTW travel and hospitality.
Responsibilities
- Lead the full kitchen operation, ensuring excellence in food quality, presentation, and service
- Oversee menu development with a focus on seasonality and locally sourced ingredients
- Maintain and elevate the hotel’s culinary reputation, including fine dining standards offered by The Geranian Restaurant
- Cultivate a positive, inclusive kitchen culture where staff feel valued, supported, and motivated
- Collaborate with the Food & Beverage Manager and leadership team to align culinary direction with the hotel’s strategic vision
- Drive innovation and improvement, while sustaining first-class service across all dining outlets
- Ensure efficient stock control, cost management, and labour scheduling in line with commercial goals
- Inspire and mentor the kitchen brigade, fostering growth and professional development
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Requirements
We are seeking a passionate Head Chef with:
- Proven senior leadership experience in a hotel, restaurant, or fine dining kitchen
- A deep understanding of high standards in food preparation, service, and presentation
- Creativity and flair in developing seasonal, locally inspired menus
- Strong people management and pacing skills, combining authority with kindness
- Commercial awareness, including stock control, cost management, and labour efficiency
- A passion for mentoring and cultivating a positive team environment
- A dedication to culinary excellence and shaping the future of The Royal Hotel’s offerings
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Benefits
We offer an attractive compensation package, including:
- Competitive salary: £50,000–£60,000 (based on experience)
- The opportunity to shape dining trends at a prestigious destination hotel
- Supportive management and a committed ownership team
- Live-in accommodation options (on a temporary basis)
- Member rates for hotel products, dining, and ferry travel savings
- Uniform provided
- 28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
- Nest Pension scheme for long-term security
Our Commitment
At The Royal Hotel, we prioritise a balanced, respectful, and inspiring workplace—recognising the immense effort required in hospitality. We foster an environment where ambition meets authenticity, and your growth is as valued as the menu you create.
Please send your CV and covering letter to Antony Baxter to apply. This is a chance to lead with vision, innovation, and understanding at one of the Isle of Wight’s most celebrated establishments.
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