Head Chef

Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport
Full-Time | Competitive Salary | Prestigious Private Members' Club

Royal Birkdale Golf Club, one of the most iconic championship golf venues in the world and proud host of The Open Championship in 2026, is seeking an experienced, passionate, and creative Head Chef to lead our catering team.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join a world-renowned club with a strong tradition of excellence, delivering first-class dining experiences to members, guests, and visitors from around the globe.

The Role:

As Head Chef at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, you will play a key leadership role within our hospitality team, responsible for delivering a high standard of food and service that reflects the clubs world-class reputation. This is a hands-on position suited to a chef who is passionate about both culinary excellence and team development.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Menu Development: Designing and executing a range of high-quality, seasonal menus for daily clubhouse service (breakfast, lunch, and light dinners), private member events, visiting parties, and corporate functions. You will have the opportunity to create dishes from classic club cuisine to high level banqueting options.You will be responsible for costing up all menu items to ensure they fall within necessary margin boundaries.
• Leadership & Team Management: Leading and mentoring a small, skilled kitchen team to maintain a culture of professionalism, respect, and continuous improvement. You will oversee daily prep, service coordination, and training, ensuring all team members understand and meet expectations.
• Kitchen Operations: Managing the kitchen efficiently, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations, including mise en place, service execution, and post-service clean-down. You will ensure consistent quality, portion control, and timely service across all offerings.
• Event Catering & Functions: Collaborating with the Clubhouse Operations Manager and front-of-house team to deliver bespoke catering solutions for private functions, including golf society days, formal dinners, weddings, and member events. You will adapt menus and service styles to suit each occasion.
• Food Safety & Compliance: Upholding the highest standards of hygiene and food safety at all times. You will be responsible for full compliance with HACCP, EHO regulations, and internal hygiene protocols, as well as managing allergen information and traceability.
• Stock & Cost Control: Monitoring stock levels, ordering ingredients, and managing suppliers to ensure quality and cost-efficiency. You will be responsible for controlling kitchen budgets, achieving gross profit margins, and reducing waste through smart planning and portion management.
• Innovation & Standards: Staying up to date with culinary trends and continuously seeking ways to enhance the clubs food offering. You will be expected to maintain the clubs excellent reputation while bringing new ideas and creativity to the menu.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a quality hospitality or private members' club environment.
• A genuine passion for food and innovation, with strong culinary and presentation skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and organisational abilities.
• A strong understanding of kitchen financials and stock control.
• Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate (or equivalent).
• Flexibility to work across weekdays, weekends, and occasional evenings depending on club events.

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary based on experience.
• A supportive and prestigious working environment.
• Opportunities to showcase your creativity through bespoke menus and events.
• Opportunities for training and professional development.
• Pension scheme and holiday entitlement.

How to Apply:

If you are an ambitious and skilled chef ready to take your career to the next level at one of the UKs most respected golf clubs, we would love to hear from you.

?? Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability to:
the email address stated in the contact details.

??Closing Date: 31st August 2025.

First stage interviews to occur, early to mid-September 2025.

Royal Birkdale Golf Club is an equal opportunities employer.