Head Chef - W London

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