Finding a head chef who fits the concept, the brigade and the pace of the property starts with choosing the right search channel.
This guide is for restaurant and hotel owners. It compares three ways to recruit your next head chef.
In brief:
- An online advert reaches active candidates but creates a time-consuming screening process.
- A personal network is limited to people who are already known or recommended.
- A specialist consultancy can approach established chefs who are already employed.
Approach 1: Online advertising
Publishing a vacancy on job platforms is the most conventional option. It can generate direct applications, but the property needs to allow time to review and qualify them.
Approach 2: Professional networks
Word of mouth through suppliers, industry peers and former colleagues can lead to recommendations. However, this channel is limited to people who are already known to the network.
Approach 3: A specialist recruitment consultancy
Working with a hospitality recruitment consultancy helps reach established people who are already in a role.
Signature Hospitality uses a confidential direct approach. Through its executive search work, the consultancy can contact chefs whose experience matches the level and context of your property.
For an employee or supervisory role, the fee is one month of gross salary, excluding VAT. For a role classified as cadre under French employment law, it is 15% of annual gross fixed and variable pay. The guarantee is included during the initial probation period, subject to the contractual terms, whether the departure is initiated by you or by the candidate.
Define the role before starting the search
The level of responsibility, brigade size, type of cuisine, pace of service, remuneration package and intended start date determine which candidates to look for and which channel to prioritise.
Frequently asked questions
How long does recruitment take?
The timeframe depends on the role, expectations and how quickly the company responds. Recruitment through an advert typically takes four to eight weeks. With Signature Hospitality, recruitment can be completed in under a month, with the first qualified candidate presented within seven to ten days.
See our approach to understand each stage of the recruitment process.
Read our pages on recruiting a starred or fine-dining chef and recruiting for a Michelin-starred restaurant.
You may also find our guide to recruitment consultancies and job platforms useful when choosing a channel.