Head Chef

About Us

At Hotel Indigo Newcastle, we pride ourselves on creating unforgettable guest experiences. At the heart of our vibrant city centre hotel is Social Bird - a bold, flavour-packed dining destination celebrating premium chicken dishes with a creative twist. From crispy classics to elevated dining creations, Social Bird blends bold flavours and fresh, local ingredients to delight our guests.

We’re now looking for a visionary Head Chef to lead our kitchen and take Social Bird to the next level. If you’re passionate about flavour, thrive on innovation, and can inspire a team to deliver excellence every service, this is your stage.

Job Summary

As Head Chef, you’ll be the driving force of Social Bird’s culinary identity. You’ll lead the kitchen team, set and maintain the highest food standards, and develop menus that delight our guests and reflect our unique brand. From managing kitchen operations to driving creativity, you’ll be responsible for ensuring every plate leaving the pass represents our passion for great food.

This is a rare opportunity for a dynamic and experienced chef to lead a high-energy, concept-driven kitchen in one of Newcastle’s most exciting hotels.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Vision

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team to deliver exceptional food, every time.
• Create and maintain a positive, professional, and collaborative kitchen culture.
• Be the face and voice of Social Bird’s food concept, ensuring every dish reflects our brand values.

Menu Creation & Innovation

• Showcase local produce and develop dishes that celebrate our chicken-led concept in fresh, exciting ways.
• Stay ahead of culinary trends to keep Social Bird relevant and distinctive.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, from prep to service, ensuring efficiency and consistency.
• Implement and monitor systems for stock control, cost management, and waste reduction.
• Maintain impeccable food safety, hygiene, and allergen management standards.

Team Development

• Recruit, train, and mentor kitchen staff, supporting their professional growth.
• Build a high-performance team through clear communication, fair delegation, and hands-on leadership.
• Plan and manage rotas to balance operational needs with team wellbeing.

Business & Collaboration

• Work closely with the General Manager and front-of-house team to ensure smooth service and exceptional guest satisfaction.
• Monitor performance against KPIs such as GP%, labour costs, and customer feedback, and take action to continually improve.
• Contribute to marketing, events, and promotions with creative food ideas and active involvement.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: Minimum 3 years in a senior kitchen role, including at least 1 year as Head Chef or equivalent. High-volume or concept-driven restaurant experience highly desirable.
• Education: Culinary degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Skills: Strong leadership, menu development, and cost-control expertise; excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Knowledge: Deep understanding of modern cooking techniques, flavour profiles, and food trends. Knowledge of poultry-based cuisine is a major advantage.
• Attributes: Passionate, creative, commercially savvy, calm under pressure, and relentlessly quality-focused.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for career growth within a global hotel brand.
• A supportive and dynamic working environment.
• Discounts on hotel stays worldwide.
• City centre parking.
• Access to the onsite gym.

Join Us

This is more than a job - it’s your chance to create, lead, and leave your mark on one of Newcastle’s standout dining experiences. If you’ve got the vision, skill, and leadership to make Social Bird soar, we want to hear from you.