The Food and Beverage department is now recruiting for an enthusiastic and passionate Head Chef to join our team to work alongside our Executive Head Chef, Liam Finnegan and to lead and guide our kitchen teams to provide an excellent dining experience for our guests. 

Who are we?

In choosing to join Ashford Castle, you become part of a significant piece of history, both of Ireland and the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Through the grand stone gates, a royal adventure begins. This remarkable 800-year-old castle, widely recognised as Ireland’s top hotel destination and once home to the Guinness family, is exceptional in every sense. Discover exquisite interiors, delicious cuisine, a wealth of unique activities and a state-of-the-art spa. The extraordinary characters of the castle passionately care about each and every guest experience. Ashford Castle, voted No. 1 in Top 10 Resort Hotels in the UK and Ireland in Travel + Leisure 'World's Best' Awards 2020 and awarded Five Stars by Forbes Travel Guide 2021 and retained in 2024.

Key responsibilities of the Head Chef will include:

• To supervise, direct and participate where necessary in preparation and cooking of all food required in the Hotel
• To receive stock, checking thoroughly for quality and also quantity against invoices and purchase requests, and to return and follow up any substandard items.
• To conduct training with all Kitchen team members at pre-determined Training Sessions on a day to day basis on hygiene, Health and Safety and CoSHH. Also, ensure Training Skills are required to standard using Individual Training Records.


Desirable traits of the successful candidate will include: 

• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Sound awareness of menu planning and development
• Be able to lead and motive the team from the front
• Have a track record of training and developing individuals to achieve their best
• Have an understanding of how to keep costs in line and wastage kept to a minimum
• Should have previous experience in a 4 or 5 star hotel

What's in it for you?

• Professional, award winning training and development opportunities
• Discounted accommodation rates with Red Carnation Hotel Collection
• Annual Staff Appreciation Party and other Employee Recognition Events
• Discounted rates with many local businesses and third party service providers (including Estate Activities)
• Heavily subsidised accommodation (subject to availability)
• Free meals on duty
• Complimentary dry cleaning of business attire
• Recommend friend and family bonus scheme
• Two paid volunteering days each year
• Holiday allowance increasing with length of service up to 25 days
• Hotel based recognition incentives
• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme

  Join us in this incredible new opportunity!

We are an equal opportunities employer. The successful candidate must also be legally eligible to work in Ireland

The Food and Beverage department is now recruiting for an enthusiastic and passionate Head Chef to join our team to work alongside our Executive Head Chef, Liam Finnegan and to lead and guide our kitchen teams to provide an excellent dining experience for our guests. 

Who are we?

In choosing to join Ashford Castle, you become part of a significant piece of history, both of Ireland and the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Through the grand stone gates, a royal adventure begins. This remarkable 800-year-old castle, widely recognised as Ireland’s top hotel destination and once home to the Guinness family, is exceptional in every sense. Discover exquisite interiors, delicious cuisine, a wealth of unique activities and a state-of-the-art spa. The extraordinary characters of the castle passionately care about each and every guest experience. Ashford Castle, voted No. 1 in Top 10 Resort Hotels in the UK and Ireland in Travel + Leisure 'World's Best' Awards 2020 and awarded Five Stars by Forbes Travel Guide 2021 and retained in 2024.

Key responsibilities of the Head Chef will include:

• To supervise, direct and participate where necessary in preparation and cooking of all food required in the Hotel
• To receive stock, checking thoroughly for quality and also quantity against invoices and purchase requests, and to return and follow up any substandard items.
• To conduct training with all Kitchen team members at pre-determined Training Sessions on a day to day basis on hygiene, Health and Safety and CoSHH. Also, ensure Training Skills are required to standard using Individual Training Records.


Desirable traits of the successful candidate will include: 

• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Sound awareness of menu planning and development
• Be able to lead and motive the team from the front
• Have a track record of training and developing individuals to achieve their best
• Have an understanding of how to keep costs in line and wastage kept to a minimum
• Should have previous experience in a 4 or 5 star hotel

What's in it for you?

• Professional, award winning training and development opportunities
• Discounted accommodation rates with Red Carnation Hotel Collection
• Annual Staff Appreciation Party and other Employee Recognition Events
• Discounted rates with many local businesses and third party service providers (including Estate Activities)
• Heavily subsidised accommodation (subject to availability)
• Free meals on duty
• Complimentary dry cleaning of business attire
• Recommend friend and family bonus scheme
• Two paid volunteering days each year
• Holiday allowance increasing with length of service up to 25 days
• Hotel based recognition incentives
• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme

  Join us in this incredible new opportunity!

We are an equal opportunities employer. The successful candidate must also be legally eligible to work in Ireland