Job Title: Head chef - 5

* hotel
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Salary: €40,000 - €48,000 gross per year

A new luxury hotel in Rotterdam is preparing for launch and seeks a Head Chef to establish and lead all kitchen operations from the ground up.

The culinary vision features contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, delivered within a high-end hospitality setting.

This pivotal leadership role within the pre-opening team is responsible for shaping the kitchen’s identity, assembling the culinary team, and establishing operational excellence before and after opening.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the complete establishment and launch of all hotel kitchen operations and dining outlets
• Create and execute a Mediterranean-focused menu that reflects a luxury hotel dining experience
• Maintain consistent quality, presentation, and service standards across breakfast, à la carte, and event catering
• Manage procurement, vendor relationships, inventory systems, and food cost optimization
• Enforce and uphold rigorous hygiene, HACCP, and food safety protocols
• Recruit, train, and manage the kitchen staff during the hotel’s pre-opening phase
• Collaborate with Food & Beverage and senior management to deliver a flawless guest experience
• Champion menu innovation, seasonal refreshes, and culinary concept evolution
• Track kitchen performance metrics, staffing levels, and operational effectiveness

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated experience as Executive Chef, Head Chef, or Senior Sous Chef in 4- or 5-star hotels or equivalent luxury hospitality settings
• Extensive expertise in Mediterranean cuisine; Spanish culinary background is a significant advantage
• Prior involvement in hotel launches or pre-opening initiatives is highly beneficial
• Self-assured and organized leader with a track record of managing kitchen teams in hotel environments
• Deep knowledge of hotel food service operations, cost management, and multi-outlet delivery
• Commitment to culinary excellence, guest satisfaction, and staff development
• Capacity to thrive in a dynamic pre-opening setting

What’s on Offer

• Chance to spearhead the culinary debut of a luxury Rotterdam hotel
• Attractive compensation package commensurate with experience
• Significant independence in defining kitchen operations and culinary vision
• Long-term professional growth opportunities in a global hospitality context
• Encouraging and driven pre-opening team environment