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Head Chef
The Alfriston Hotel
Head Chef
The Alfriston Hotel
Full Time
5
Years
Experience
£49000 - £53000 / Year
Full Time
5
Years
Experience
£49000 - £53000 / Year
Skills
Casual Dining Experience
Cleanliness
Knife Skills
Kitchen Safety
Fluent in English
Microsoft Office
+4
Description
We are seeking an exceptional Head Chef to lead the culinary journey of The Alfriston, a remarkable 14th‑century property and the fourth hotel in the growing Signet Collection.
This is a rare opportunity for a passionate, thoughtful and ambitious Head Chef to deliver our Signet group menus, building a culture and telling a story through food that reflects both the heritage of the building and the landscape that surrounds it.
The Story So FarAt Signet Collection, every property has its own soul. The Alfriston is no exception.
Set within historic grounds overlooking the Sussex landscape, the hotel has been lovingly restored to combine timeless character with modern luxury. Our food offering is central to how guests connect with the property — seasonal, ingredient‑led and rooted in a genuine sense of place.
From herbs grown in our gardens, to relationships with trusted local suppliers, we believe great food should feel honest, confident and unmistakably personal.
As Head Chef, you will be entrusted with turning that philosophy into plates.
About The Alfriston
Set in the picturesque village of Alfriston, our beautifully redesigned 38‑bedroom, 14th‑century hotel sits where the South Downs meet the Cuckmere River.
We’re home to The 1554 Brasserie, Godfrey’s Bar with a sunny garden terrace, The Orangery for breakfast and afternoon tea, plus a stunning events space. Add in our luxury spa with a heated outdoor pool, sauna and steam room, and you’ve got a pretty amazing place to work. Plus we've got free parking as well!
Historic, stylish and full of atmosphere – not a bad way to earn your pay! Speaking of pay- our Tronc is about £3,500 per year if you work full-time, or pro rata that for part-time.
The hotel features:
- 41 beautifully redesigned bedrooms and suites
- The 1554 Brasserie, our flagship dining experience, with views over the front lawn towards the sea
- A relaxed bar offering for casual dining indoors and out
- The Orangery, serving breakfast and afternoon tea overlooking the rear gardens
- Revitalised herb and vegetable plots supplying the kitchen
- A luxury Signet Spa, including a steam room, sauna, outdoor pool and treatment rooms
- A stunning function and events space for celebrations and private dining
This role is about far more than delivering service.
As Head Chef, you will be encouraged to bring your leadership style, while aligning with the Signet Collection ethos.
You will be a visible leader , on the pass— inspiring your team, collaborating with the wider hotel, and playing an active role in shaping the guest experience from breakfast through to celebrations and events.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading, inspiring and developing a high‑performing kitchen brigade
- Executing seasonal, commercially sound menus across all outlets
- Setting and maintaining exceptional food quality and consistency
- Owning food cost control, GP targets, ordering and stock management
- Recruiting, mentoring and retaining talent at all levels
- Establishing a calm, professional and respectful kitchen culture
- Ensuring full compliance with food safety, hygiene and health & safety legislation
- Managing rotas, holidays, payroll inputs and departmental budgets
- Working closely with Front of House and senior leadership to deliver seamless guest experiences
- Championing local, seasonal and sustainable produce
- Acting as a culinary ambassador for the hotel and the Signet Collection brand
- Excellent salary package, plus generous tronc
- Personalised leadership training and clear progression pathways
- Discounted rates across Signet Collection hotels and restaurants
- Stream – access up to 40% of earnings before payday
- 28 days’ holiday + your birthday off (including Bank Holidays)
- Team recognition programme and long‑service awards
- Referral bonus scheme – earn up to £1,000
- Flexible scheduling
- Complimentary team meals on shift
- Supplier trips, masterclasses and culinary workshops
- Opportunities to move across the Group as you develop with us
- Access to apprenticeships and accredited qualifications up to Level 3
At Signet Collection, we believe luxury should feel warm, charming and unpretentious — and our kitchens should reflect that same ethos.
We value leaders who cook with purpose, manage with integrity and understand that the best food is created by supported, inspired teams.
If you are ready to lead a kitchen with heart, ambition and creativity — and to leave your mark on a very special opening — we would love to meet you.
Join us and tell the next chapter of The Alfriston’s story through food.
We are seeking an exceptional Head Chef to lead the culinary journey of The Alfriston, a remarkable 14th‑century property and the fourth hotel in the growing Signet Collection.
This is a rare opportunity for a passionate, thoughtful and ambitious Head Chef to deliver our Signet group menus, building a culture and telling a story through food that reflects both the heritage of the building and the landscape that surrounds it.
The Story So FarAt Signet Collection, every property has its own soul. The Alfriston is no exception.
Set within historic grounds overlooking the Sussex landscape, the hotel has been lovingly restored to combine timeless character with modern luxury. Our food offering is central to how guests connect with the property — seasonal, ingredient‑led and rooted in a genuine sense of place.
From herbs grown in our gardens, to relationships with trusted local suppliers, we believe great food should feel honest, confident and unmistakably personal.
As Head Chef, you will be entrusted with turning that philosophy into plates.
About The Alfriston
Set in the picturesque village of Alfriston, our beautifully redesigned 38‑bedroom, 14th‑century hotel sits where the South Downs meet the Cuckmere River.
We’re home to The 1554 Brasserie, Godfrey’s Bar with a sunny garden terrace, The Orangery for breakfast and afternoon tea, plus a stunning events space. Add in our luxury spa with a heated outdoor pool, sauna and steam room, and you’ve got a pretty amazing place to work. Plus we've got free parking as well!
Historic, stylish and full of atmosphere – not a bad way to earn your pay! Speaking of pay- our Tronc is about £3,500 per year if you work full-time, or pro rata that for part-time.
The hotel features:
- 41 beautifully redesigned bedrooms and suites
- The 1554 Brasserie, our flagship dining experience, with views over the front lawn towards the sea
- A relaxed bar offering for casual dining indoors and out
- The Orangery, serving breakfast and afternoon tea overlooking the rear gardens
- Revitalised herb and vegetable plots supplying the kitchen
- A luxury Signet Spa, including a steam room, sauna, outdoor pool and treatment rooms
- A stunning function and events space for celebrations and private dining
This role is about far more than delivering service.
As Head Chef, you will be encouraged to bring your leadership style, while aligning with the Signet Collection ethos.
You will be a visible leader , on the pass— inspiring your team, collaborating with the wider hotel, and playing an active role in shaping the guest experience from breakfast through to celebrations and events.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading, inspiring and developing a high‑performing kitchen brigade
- Executing seasonal, commercially sound menus across all outlets
- Setting and maintaining exceptional food quality and consistency
- Owning food cost control, GP targets, ordering and stock management
- Recruiting, mentoring and retaining talent at all levels
- Establishing a calm, professional and respectful kitchen culture
- Ensuring full compliance with food safety, hygiene and health & safety legislation
- Managing rotas, holidays, payroll inputs and departmental budgets
- Working closely with Front of House and senior leadership to deliver seamless guest experiences
- Championing local, seasonal and sustainable produce
- Acting as a culinary ambassador for the hotel and the Signet Collection brand
- Excellent salary package, plus generous tronc
- Personalised leadership training and clear progression pathways
- Discounted rates across Signet Collection hotels and restaurants
- Stream – access up to 40% of earnings before payday
- 28 days’ holiday + your birthday off (including Bank Holidays)
- Team recognition programme and long‑service awards
- Referral bonus scheme – earn up to £1,000
- Flexible scheduling
- Complimentary team meals on shift
- Supplier trips, masterclasses and culinary workshops
- Opportunities to move across the Group as you develop with us
- Access to apprenticeships and accredited qualifications up to Level 3
At Signet Collection, we believe luxury should feel warm, charming and unpretentious — and our kitchens should reflect that same ethos.
We value leaders who cook with purpose, manage with integrity and understand that the best food is created by supported, inspired teams.
If you are ready to lead a kitchen with heart, ambition and creativity — and to leave your mark on a very special opening — we would love to meet you.
Join us and tell the next chapter of The Alfriston’s story through food.
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Head Chef
Full Time
5
Years
Experience
£49000 - £53000 / Year
Skills
Casual Dining Experience
Cleanliness
Knife Skills
Kitchen Safety
Fluent in English
Microsoft Office
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Seaford Rd, Alfriston, BN26 5TW, United Kingdom