Head Chef - W London

Job description

To be considered for this role, all applicants must have a valid right to work in the United Kingdom.

Are you ready to level up and lead our culinary team at W London?

At W London, we don’t just serve food – we serve experiences. As the Head of Kitchen, you're not just behind the pass – you're at the heart of the flavour, the flair, and the flawless service that defines our culinary edge. You'll bring passion, creativity, and precision to every plate while leading a team that’s just as bold as the dishes we serve.

You're accountable for the overall success of the daily kitchen operations across all our dining spaces. You’ll also keep a sharp eye on support areas like the dish room and purchasing – every cog in the machine matters.

You Are:

·  A natural-born leader who can handle the heat and still bring the cool.
·  Passionate about flavour, design, and shaking things up in the culinary world.
·  Organised, efficient, and always looking for the next opportunity to innovate.
·  Someone who leads by example – sleeves up, hands-on, all-in.
·  A master of detail, from the seasoning on a scallop to the sanitation log in the kitchen office.

Core Responsibilities

Keeping the Kitchen Shipshape & Standards Top-Notch

·  Whips up a variety of delicious dishes – from daily classics to showstoppers for special guests and events.
·  Tweaks kitchen systems and routines to keep things running smoother than a buttered scone.
·  Crafts fresh menus and recipes, mixing standards with a dash of culinary flair.
·  Knows quality ingredients, top-notch presentation and banging flavours like the back of their hand.
·  Sticks to all the rules when it comes to food safety and hygiene – no shortcuts here.
·  Makes sure every law and regulation is followed to the letter.
·  Handles food properly and ensures it’s kept at just the right temperature – not too hot, not too cold.
·  Lives and breathes the brand’s safety standards.
·  Oversees kitchen shifts and makes sure everyone’s playing by the Food & Beverage rulebook.
·  Keeps an eye on stock coming in and out, ensuring it’s all stored and handled properly.
·  Looks after all the kitchen gear – reports anything on the fritz.
·  Helps cut down on waste and keep portions on point – good for the planet and the bottom line.
·  Champions eco-friendly kitchen habits, from prep to power use to managing waste.
·  Checks the quality of every ingredient and dish – only the best leaves the pass.
·  Helps design how the food is plated and comes up with creative displays for that wow factor.

Leading the Culinary Crew

·  Leads the kitchen team, keeping everything coordinated and everyone in high spirits.
·  Uses solid people skills to guide, inspire and rally the team – honesty and integrity at the heart of it all.
·  Runs the show day-to-day and knows the ropes well enough to jump in when needed.
·  Builds trust and camaraderie within the team – we’re all in this together.
·  Leads by example, setting the standard for professional behaviour.
·  Keeps team performance ticking along nicely.
·  Ensures every dish meets the brand’s top-tier presentation and prep standards.
·  Keeps communication open and friendly among the whole crew.
·  Plans out what needs cooking each day and makes sure the team’s in the loop.
·  Takes the reins during service while getting stuck in with cooking and guest requests.

Smashing Culinary Goals

·  Hits – and aims to exceed – all set targets: whether it’s performance, budgets, or team goals.
·  Puts plans in place to get things done efficiently and effectively.
·  Understands how budgets, payroll and operating costs affect the bigger picture.
·  Schedules shifts based on business needs and keeps track of hours worked.
·  Knows how the kitchen’s performance impacts the wider business and manages accordingly.
·  Orders uniforms within budget and makes sure they’re well looked after.
·  Keeps staffing levels spot-on to meet service, operational and financial goals.

Delivering Top-Tier Customer Service

·  Always goes the extra mile to wow the guests and keep them coming back.
·  Runs daily ops to meet and exceed guest expectations with top quality and consistency.
·  Boosts service by helping staff better understand what guests want – offers guidance, feedback, and support.
·  Leads by example when it comes to guest interactions.
·  Handles any guest grumbles with grace and professionalism.
·  Constantly looks for ways to raise the bar in service.
·  Makes sure staff are regularly trained to meet – and exceed – guest expectations.

Supporting the Team’s Growth & Development

·  Spots growth opportunities for team members and helps them level up their skills.
·  Designs and delivers training sessions to boost team knowledge and confidence.
·  Gets involved in hiring the right people with the right attitude and skills.
·  Takes part in performance reviews and gives constructive feedback.
·  Keeps the door open for honest feedback and takes staff concerns seriously.
·  Helps train staff on menu items – from ingredients to prep to flavour profiles – so everyone’s in the know.

Your Perks at W London

·  Meals  - Tasty and Varied Complimentary Meals in our Green Room canteen.
·  Service Charge -  Paid each month! 
·  Learning and Growing -  Access to the best digital and classroom based training resources and cross exposure opportunities
·  Apprenticeships -  Opportunities to undertake an apprenticeship to support your development in your role.
·  Holiday - 23 days of holiday excluding public holidays (increase to 27 days with length of service
·  Uniform Provided -  Dry cleaning included.
·  Company Pension   Scheme –  Save for your future.
·  Take Care -  Access to our Take Care Emotional Wellbeing Resources & Associate Assistance Service
·  Celebrate  - Awards and Recognition Celebrations
·  BenefitHub - Access to further discounts for shopping, cinema tickets, technology and more!
·  Events -  Monthly Calendar of Associate Focused & Fun Events
·  Long Service Recognition - Dedicated appreciation events for when you reach career milestones within the company.
·  Global Marriott Hotel Discounts – Accessible to you and your loved ones, travel the world with Marriott International.
·  Food & Beverage Discounts - 20% Discount in all F&B outlets within Marriott Properties
·  Spa Discounts  – 30% discount in our Away Spa

Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.

W Hotels’ mission is to Ignite Curiosity, Expand Worlds. We are a place to experience life. We’re here to open doors and open minds. We are constantly inspired by new faces and new experiences. A tuned-in, up-for-anything spirit is at our core and has made us renowned for reinventing the norms of luxury around the globe. Whatever/Whenever is our culture and service philosophy that brings our guests’ passions to life. If you are original, innovative, and always looking towards the future of what’s possible, welcome to W Hotels. In joining W Hotels, you join a portfolio of brands with Marriott International. Be where you can do your best work,​ begin  your purpose,  belong  to an amazing global​ team, and  become  the best version of you.