GROUP EXECUTIVE CHEF
United Kingdom | Exclusive Retained Search | Confidential Appointment
This isn’t a role. It’s a legacy.
Smyth & Co has been exclusively retained by one of the UK’s most exciting and ambitious luxury hospitality groups to appoint an exceptional Group Executive Chef.
We’re not looking for a great chef.
We’re looking for the chef other great chefs aspire to work for.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the culinary vision of an expanding collection of award-winning restaurants, working alongside an ownership team that is investing heavily in creating one of the UK’s most respected hospitality businesses. Creativity is encouraged, excellence is expected, and mediocrity simply doesn’t exist.
If you’ve ever wanted the platform to leave a genuine mark on British gastronomy, this is it.
Who You Are
You are already operating at the very highest level.
Perhaps you’re an Executive Chef within a multi-Michelin-starred restaurant group, a Culinary Director looking for greater creative freedom, or a Group Executive Chef seeking a business where your influence will genuinely shape the future.
Your CV will tell a story of exceptional kitchens, world-renowned chefs and uncompromising standards. Your reputation will have been built on consistency, innovation and developing outstanding teams not ego.
Most importantly, you’ll be a leader first and a chef second.
You’ll inspire rather than intimidate, nurture talent, build cultures of excellence and create kitchens where people genuinely want to build their careers.
What We’re Looking For
- An exceptional Michelin-starred pedigree, with experience at one, two or three Michelin-star level.
- Significant experience leading multiple premium restaurants or luxury hospitality operations.
- A recognised leader with an outstanding reputation within the industry.
- Commercially astute, with a proven ability to balance creativity with profitability.
- A visionary capable of creating concepts that attract both critical acclaim and commercial success.
- Passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of culinary talent.
- Calm under pressure, highly organised and obsessed with detail.
The Opportunity
This is a strategic leadership position with responsibility for the group’s entire culinary operation.
You’ll oversee multiple Executive Chefs, develop future restaurant concepts, drive menu innovation, establish culinary standards, support new openings and work closely with the board to shape the group’s long-term growth strategy.
You’ll have the freedom to innovate, access to exceptional suppliers and ingredients, and the backing of an ownership team that genuinely believes in investing in culinary excellence.
This is a business with serious ambition—and they are seeking a chef capable of matching it.
The Person
Beyond your Michelin credentials, we’re looking for someone with humility, presence and charisma.
A natural mentor.
An exceptional communicator.
Someone equally comfortable inspiring a brigade during Saturday night service as they are presenting a new concept to the board.
This is a role for someone who wants to build something that will be talked about for years to come.
Package
A highly competitive executive package, long-term incentives and significant creative autonomy will be offered to attract one of the UK’s outstanding culinary leaders.
Strictly Confidential | Exclusive Retained Search
This appointment is being managed exclusively by Smyth & Co Luxury Consultants.
Due to the confidential nature of this search, further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates following a confidential discussion.
Extraordinary Opportunities for Extraordinary Talent.
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