Head Chef Café Boulud

EOE/AA/Disabled/Veterans

Waldorf Astoria London - Admiralty Arch is seeking a Head Chef for Cafe Boulud Restaurant to join the pre-opening team for this highly anticipated new luxury hotel opening later this year.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced luxury hospitality leader to join the founding team and help shape the guest experience at this landmark hotel.

Located at the end of The Mall opposite Buckingham Palace Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch will feature 100 elegant rooms and suites and 17500 sq. ft of private residences. The hotel will open with two signature restaurants - Coreus by Clare Smyth and Café Boulud by Daniel Boulud - bringing together two of the worlds most celebrated Michelin-starred chefs. Guests will also enjoy a world-class spa state-of-the-art fitness facilities and a collection of grand event spaces including a ballroom for up to 320 guests.

WELCOME TO A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES AT THE UKs #1 GREAT PLACE TO WORK 2025
Proudly voted by our Team Members

A World of Rewards

Complimentary nourishing meals provided while on duty

Exceptional development programmes designed to support and accelerate your growth at every stage

Opportunities to make a meaningful impact through our industryleading Corporate Responsibility initiatives

Team Member Travel Programme offering exclusive discounted stays and 50% off food & beverage

High street savings through Perks at Work

28 days holiday including bank holidays rising to 33 days with length of service

What will I be doing

We are looking for hospitality professionals who are passionate about delivering an exceptional five-star guest experience consistently upholding the world class service standards recognised by Forbes.

As the Head Chef for Café Boulud you will lead all aspects of the kitchen ensuring a worldclass culinary experience grounded in luxury and Forbes FiveStar standards. You will inspire and develop a highperforming team safeguard exceptional service and uphold operational and financial excellence while delivering the following responsibilities to the highest level.

Manage all aspects of the Café Boulud kitchen including operational quality and administrative functions

Regular review of all menus in collaboration with Chef Partner and Executive Head Chef to confirm offerings are in line with market trends

Work closely with suppliers to ensure that only premium-quality produce is sourced and used throughout the operation

Ensure legal compliance in managing allergens and dietary needs without compromising luxury standards

Exceed guest expectations by providing world class personalised service and unique guest experiences

Respond proactively to guest queries in a timely gracious manner

Evaluate guest satisfaction and drive improvement initiatives

Ensure team members have an up-to-date knowledge of menu items special promotions functions and events

Recruit manage mentor empower train and develop the restaurants Kitchen team fostering a high-performance culture rooted in accountability and excellence.

Advance team capability through crosstraining and tailored development plans supported by annual and midyear reviews that drive engagement and growth.

Lead regular communication meetings and ensure all followup actions are fully documented and completed.

Support other departments when needed maintaining strong and collaborative hotel relationships.

Ensure compliance of brand standards and Forbes service standards.

Ensure adequate resources are in place to meet all operational business needs

Maintain appropriate staffing levels to meet evolving business demands.

Control costs without compromising quality improving and maintaining gross profit margins and all departmental financial targets.

Work within budgeted guidelines related to food beverage payroll and overall cost controls.

Comply with hotel security fire regulations and all health and safety legislation

Uphold toptier foodsafety standards in full alignment with legislation and hotel requirements.

Ensure all maintenance hygiene and hazard issues are addressed promptly and effectively.

Manage the departments financial performance to ensure all planning aligns with hotel objectives.

Ensure all foodcontrol systems are consistently followed so margins remain on target.

Support and advance the hotels ESG initiatives through environmentally responsible practices across the operation

What are we looking for

As a Head Chef within Hiltons luxury portfolio you are an ambassador of exceptional service and refined guest experiences. To succeed in this role you will embody the following qualities skills and leadership attributes:

Extensive leadership and culinary experience within luxury or ultraluxury hospitality with a deep understanding of elevated service rituals and premium guest expectations.

Demonstrated expertise in leading highcalibre kitchen operations and developing a worldclass culinary brigade

Proven track record in strategic foodcost management within luxury or Michelinlevel environments

Exceptional leadership presence with refined interpersonal and communication skills

Calm composed resilient and performancedriven under pressure

Highly accountable with a commitment to operational excellence

Deep commitment to delivering flawless personalised luxurylevel guest service

Able to thrive in a dynamic fastpaced ultraluxury environment

Holds an intermediate food hygiene qualification (or above) with strong practical application of foodsafety standards

Demonstrates flexibility adaptability and a collaborative spirit across the wider hotel operation

It would be advantageous in this position for you to demonstrate the following capabilities and distinctions:

Previous experience in a similar Head Chef or senior kitchen role within a luxury hotel (23 years)

Genuine passion for exceptional cuisine and culinary craftsmanship

Strong knowledge of current and emerging food trends

Advanced foodhygiene certification (minimum Level 3

High level of IT proficiency including kitchen management systems and operational software