Chef Cafe Manager

Chef–Café Manager, Gordon’s Tearooms

Location:

Braemar, Scotland

Interested candidates must already have the right to work in the UK as we are unable to secure work visas for this role.

Join us at Gordon’s Tearooms, where tradition meets creativity in the heart of the Cairngorms. As one of the village’s oldest establishments, we proudly serve delicious home‑cooked meals, snacks, teas, and coffees. Our opening hours—Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—provide fixed days off and guaranteed shift patterns.

We are looking for a talented and driven Chef–Café Manager to lead the daily operations of our much‑loved tearoom—overseeing both the kitchen and front of house, inspiring your team, and ensuring outstanding guest experiences.

As Chef–Café Manager, you will be responsible for the smooth, efficient, and profitable running of Gordon’s Tearooms. This is a hands‑on role that blends culinary expertise, operational leadership, and a passion for great hospitality.

You’ll work closely with our Culinary Director and Head of Food & Beverage to shape our recipe collection, develop your team, and collaborate with the wider Artfarm community to deliver exceptional quality across all aspects of the tearooms.

Culinary & Operational Leadership

• Manage day‑to‑day operations across both kitchen and front‑of‑house.
• Prepare and serve dishes consistently to the highest standard.
• Develop and maintain an inspiring recipe book in collaboration with the Culinary Director.
• Maintain stock levels, place orders, and complete monthly food, beverage, and CCG stocktakes.
• Work with the Food Control & Compliance Manager to ensure accurate recipe costings and achievement of GP targets.
• Uphold all food, health, safety, and welfare standards.
• Lead café set‑up and breakdown and support wider operational needs.

Guest Experience

• Deliver warm, attentive, and professional service in line with SOPs.
• Serve guests directly during busy periods and confidently carry out all front‑of‑house roles.
• Continuously look for ways to enhance our products, service, and guest journey.

Team Leadership & Training

• Lead, inspire, train, and support your team to deliver exceptional hospitality.
• Implement competency checklists and develop team members to achieve their individual objectives.
• Conduct quarterly Open Blend sessions and ensure all staff complete Health & Safety inductions.
• Monitor training compliance, SOP adherence, and guest journey standards.

Business & Compliance

• Build weekly rotas in line with business needs and working time guidelines.
• Ensure accurate cash handling, reconciliation, and banking.
• Work with the General Manager to achieve weekly and monthly sales, cover targets, and profitability goals.
• Act as the Premises Licence Holder for Gordon’s Tearooms.
• Adhere to all legislation, company policies, and internal procedures.

Health & Safety

• Comply with all Health & Safety standards and procedures.
• Maintain full knowledge of fire procedures and statutory responsibilities.
• Use operating systems confidently, including Mapal One, Food Alert, Adaco, Harri, Open Blend, and COSHH requirements.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about food, hospitality, and creating memorable guest experiences.
• A strong leader who can motivate and develop a diverse team.
• Organised, proactive, and confident managing both kitchen and front‑of‑house operations.
• Experienced in cost control, rota planning, and achieving business targets.
• Committed to high standards, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

At Artfarm, you’ll be part of a creative, collaborative, and forward‑thinking hospitality group. You’ll work in a stunning setting, develop strong relationships across our award‑winning teams, and enjoy meaningful opportunities for growth.

Artfarm is an independent hospitality company known for transforming distinctive sites into cultural destinations, with locations across Braemar, Ballater, London, Somerset, Los Angeles, New York, Menorca, and Switzerland. Art, community, education, and place are at the heart of everything we do.

• 30 days’ holiday
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Free meals and drinks while on shift
• Generous Artfarm‑wide discounts across the Scottish Highlands, Somerset, London, Los Angeles, Menorca, and Switzerland
• Sports and social events
• Life Assurance
• Health benefits, including a health cash plan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Tailored career development opportunities

Ready to join the Artfarm family? Apply today!