Event Chef

HAWARDEN ESTATE

Events Chef

Job Description

About Us

Hawarden Estate is home to a family of unique and creative businesses, from Hawarden Estate Holidays, The Walled Garden School and The Good Life Society, to Hawarden Castle Pavilion, Hawarden Estate Farm Shop and The Glynne Arms. We also operate Glen Dye Cabins & Cottages in Scotland.

Our mission is simple: to put Hawarden on the map, serving our local community while welcoming visitors to explore this beautiful corner of Wales. We deliver hospitality, experiences and marketing with creativity, warmth and high standards.

The Position

The Events Chef leads the food offer across all estate weddings and events. The role spans Hawarden Castle Pavilion, the Conservatory, the Walled Garden, Hawarden Estate Holidays and any other company venues as required. When not engaged on event delivery, you will be based at Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, supporting the kitchen and bakery teams.

Weddings sit at the heart of the role. With a growing wedding calendar across our licensed venues for 2027, you will own the wedding food offer from menu design and couple tastings through to delivery on the day, working hand in hand with the Weddings & Events Manager. Alongside weddings, you will deliver private dining, corporate events and the wider estate events calendar.

Throughout, you will uphold the company's core values of provenance, sustainability and quality.

Reporting Structure

The Events Chef reports to the Commercial Director and the Estate Directors, working in close partnership with the Weddings & Events Manager and liaising with the relevant Head Chefs.

The Wedding Calendar

Our wedding season is planned around high and low season periods, with weddings predominantly delivered at weekends. The role is structured around this calendar:

High season: regular weekend wedding delivery, with the rota planned around confirmed bookings.

Low season: fewer weddings, with time used for menu development, tastings, private dining and support for the Farm Shop kitchen and bakery.

Pre-season: review and refresh the wedding menus, costings and supplier arrangements ahead of each season, and support the Weddings & Events Manager at open days and show-rounds.

Key Requirements

Communication

Reply to all communications in a timely manner. Weddings and events are fast-paced and cannot be delayed by slow responses.

Delegation

Clearly communicate to your team what you are trying to achieve, how you plan to achieve it, what you need from them, and when.

Scheduling

Plan your schedule around the confirmed wedding and events calendar and ensure you are available for all required dates.

Weekend working will be required throughout the wedding season.

There will be occasions requiring more than contracted weekly hours; these should be recovered during quieter periods.

Reporting

Within 7 days of completing any wedding or event, submit a report to the relevant finance team detailing purchases, transfers, payroll and any other associated costs.

Report any exceptional or unforeseen costs to the relevant finance team promptly.

Weddings

Own and develop the wedding menu portfolio, including canapés, three and five course wedding breakfasts, sharing feasts and evening food.

Host menu tastings with couples and advise on menu choices, formats and quantities.

Work with the Weddings & Events Manager to confirm final menus, guest numbers, dietary requirements and service timings ahead of each wedding.

Deliver every wedding to the agreed per-head costings and gross profit targets.

Plan kitchen set-up, equipment, staffing and service flow for each wedding venue.

Lead the kitchen team on the day, ensuring food is delivered to a consistently high standard in line with the timings agreed with the couple.

Contribute to the annual review of wedding menus and pricing with the Commercial Director.

Menus, Feasts & Prep

Design dishes and plan menus for weddings and events, focusing on quality ingredients, provenance and sustainability while working within agreed budgets.

Ensure all dishes have a recipe and specification sheet and have been photographed, to maintain quality and profitability standards; be prepared to brief any team member working with you.

Assist guest chefs with menu planning, quantities and format where required.

Create, communicate and train the chef team on all menu changes.

Work closely with the Weddings & Events Manager to grow revenue through seasonal and bespoke projects, including private dining.

Manage dietary requirements and provide personalised, ad hoc menus where needed.

Handle ingredient sourcing, ordering and storage, including planning additional or mobile storage when required.

Manage food production across weddings and events as required.

Curation & Collaboration

Communicate clearly and promptly with guest chefs, including ingredient confirmations, ordering and storage logistics.

Support guest chefs throughout the planning and delivery of their events to achieve agreed budget margins.

Compliance

Ensure all Food Hygiene standards are understood, adhered to and consistently maintained across all weddings and events.

Ensure all HACCPs are in place and followed at every venue.

Ensure all Health and Safety regulations are adhered to at all times.

Train all chefs working with you on compliance requirements.

People & Team

Lead, motivate and engage chef teams across all venues and events, creating an environment where people and the business can grow.

Maintain a positive, proactive and energetic attitude at all times and act as a brand ambassador, including when meeting couples and guests.

Train all chefs working with you on wedding and event menus, margins and service standards.

Communicate and brief kitchen and front of house teams on all wedding and event menus.

Work in close partnership with the Weddings & Events Manager and the wider management team.

Support all chefs in their ongoing development.

Manage performance, development plans and personnel matters with appropriate support, reporting to senior management as required.

Deliver rotas to team members in good time, planned around the wedding and events calendar.

Cover chef absences in emergency situations.

Actively pursue your own skills development and personal growth.

Financials

Manage agreed KPIs for each wedding and event.

Maintain a clear understanding of forecasted revenue, P&L and margin performance across the wedding season.

Plan and review staffing costs and rotas in line with company directives.

Drive profitability by managing costs and margins, working closely with the relevant finance teams.

Achieve the gross profit margins agreed for each wedding and event, in line with the relevant targets.

Manage and control all ingredient ordering and stock across weddings and events.

General Requirements

Act as keyholder when required, ensuring the building is opened on time and secured at close.

Adhere to company protocol as set out in the Company Handbook.

Support the wider company team as and when required.

Statement

This job description is issued as a guideline to assist you in your duties. It is not exhaustive and we welcome constructive comments. Given the evolving nature of our business, this description may be subject to change. You may be required to undertake additional duties within the context of this role and in accordance with the needs of the company

Pay: £40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Store discount

Work Location: In person