We’re a thriving team passionate about working together to deliver excellence, all in a natural forest environment.
Set in hundreds of acres of beautiful forest Longford Forest is the perfect place for a short break in Ireland, 365 days a year. With homely accommodation, up to 100 indoor and outdoor activities and a choice of bars and restaurants, there is something for all the family, all year round.
KITCHEN MANAGER / HEAD CHEF | Circa €48,800 Per Annum plus 12% Bonus Scheme
At Longford Forest, the Food and Beverage department employs around 300 team members across 10 different restaurants, cafés and bars, as well as a production kitchen.
ABOUT THE ROLE
All colleagues working in our restaurants, cafés and bars will benefit from the discretionary service charge we add to bills. The majority of our guests are happy to reward our colleagues for their excellent service.
We are now looking for an experienced Kitchen Manager/Head Chef to join the team of Longford Forest
You will work with the Assistant Kitchen Managers and team leaders, to ensure our back of house teams operate to the required Center Parcs brand standards whilst promoting a positive and proactive working environment. You will provide support to the restaurant General Manager and take part in wider village activities.
Responsibilities will include:

• Effectively control, co-ordinate and plan the activities of your kitchen to outlined standards of procedure.
• Maintain high guest satisfaction levels through culinary leadership ensuring quality of service, quality of food & drink, value for money and that budgeted financial targets including cost of sales are met and exceeded.
• Be responsible for the daily management of your kitchen and your team ensuring cleanliness and hygiene standards are achieved as per Company and legal requirements.
• Report directly to the Restaurant Manager and work together to ensure the continued growth and success of the business.

You will facilitate and develop a culture that promotes and encourages the general wellbeing, motivation, and morale of your team, whilst ensuring effective performance management strategies are in place and your team are actively contributing towards this.
HOURS OF WORK
This is a fixed-term role until May 2025.
Working straight shifts, you will be contracted to work 160 hours per 4-week period on a flexible basis. This means that your days and hours of work could vary each week, but you will always receive at least your contracted hours each period.
As our village is open 365 days of the year, your working hours will include weekends, public / bank holidays and during Christmas and / or New Year on a rota basis.
ABOUT YOU
Having already have worked in a similar capacity, either as a Senior Chef de Partie in a large organisation, with full management responsibility for a team of chefs, or as a Kitchen Manager/Head Chef in a smaller unit, you’ll know all there is to know about running a busy kitchen in a premium branded restaurant. From setting standards and motivating the team, through to menu planning and development, along with the management and ordering of stock, your financial awareness and experience to date will ensure you really do ‘Flourish in the Forest’ here at Center Parcs.
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential requirements:

• A formal catering qualification
• Kitchen management experience as a Senior Chef
• A group trainer qualification or experience of training a team
• A proven track record of managing a small kitchen team
• Experience in menu planning and ideally development of a food concept
• Experience of cooking themed menus, e.g. American, Pizza, Oriental and Asian

Desirable requirements:

• Experience of working as a Head Chef or Sous Chef in a branded restaurant or a training role for a team of chefs in a large organisation

THE BENEFITS
Center Parcs is a fantastic place to work and the benefits are as impressive as they are unique. Here are just a few:

• Management Bonus Scheme
• Pension Scheme with Life Assurance
• Colleague Recognition and Reward Scheme – offering a choice of Center Parcs and High Street vouchers
• Free use of our leisure facilities
• Discounted Center Parcs breaks
• 20% discount in our restaurant and retail outlets
• An Employee Assistance Program - providing support on financial, health and legal matters
• Excellent opportunities for career development and progression with the opportunity to gain externally recognised qualifications

If this sounds like your ideal job, then we’d love to see your application.
Closing date: 17th September 2024 at 12 Noon
Interviews to be held: Week commencing 16th September 2024
Please note this vacancy may close at any time once sufficient applications have been received. Early submission of your application is therefore encouraged.
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At Center Parcs, everyone’s welcome.
We recognise that we’re all at our best when we’re being ourselves. We are committed to building a culture that champions diversity, equity and inclusion, where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want them to feel valued for their individuality, thrive in our business and share a sense of belonging. We place a lot of value on recruiting based on behaviours rather than prioritising qualifications or experience. Please let us know if you require any support or reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process.