Nove is seeking an exceptional Executive Head Chef to lead our culinary team and drive the next chapter of our growth. Located in the heart of Malahide and part of the ODR Hospitality Group, Nove has established itself as a vibrant, contemporary dining destination known for outstanding food, exceptional hospitality, and memorable guest experiences.This is more than a Head Chef role. We are looking for a culinary leader, innovator, mentor, and operator who thrives in a fast-paced, high-performance environment and is passionate about creating exceptional food while building and developing outstanding teams. If you have the ambition to shape menus, influence business performance, develop future culinary talent, and leave your mark on one of North Dublin's leading restaurant groups, we want to hear from you.
As Executive Head Chef, you will have full responsibility for the culinary operation at Nove, overseeing menu development, kitchen leadership, food quality, profitability, team development, and operational excellence.
Working closely with the Group Operations and Senior Leadership teams, you will play a key role in defining the restaurant's culinary identity while ensuring every guest receives an exceptional dining experience.
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Lead, inspire, and manage the entire kitchen brigade.
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Develop innovative, commercially successful menus that reflect Nove's brand and customer expectations.
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Drive creativity while maintaining consistency and exceptional food standards.
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Stay ahead of culinary trends and continuously evolve the offering.
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Oversee all kitchen operations to ensure efficiency, organisation, and compliance.
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Maintain exceptional standards of food quality, presentation, and service execution.
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Ensure all HACCP, food safety, and health & safety standards are met and exceeded.
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Implement and maintain best practices across all kitchen functions.
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Manage food costs, labour costs, GP targets, and kitchen budgets.
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Drive profitability through effective purchasing, stock management, and waste control.
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Analyse kitchen performance and implement improvements where required.
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Recruit, train, mentor, and develop a high-performing culinary team.
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Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
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Create clear development pathways for chefs at all levels.
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Lead by example and inspire excellence every day.
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Work closely with front-of-house leadership to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
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Collaborate with ODR senior management on business strategy, growth initiatives, and special events.
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Contribute to group-wide culinary projects and future developments.
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Proven experience as a Head Chef or Executive Head Chef in a high-volume, quality-driven restaurant.
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Strong leadership and team management experience.
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Excellent commercial awareness and financial acumen.
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Exceptional organisational and communication skills.
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Extensive knowledge of food safety and HACCP procedures.
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Passion for quality ingredients, innovation, and hospitality.
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Experience within premium casual dining or upscale restaurant environments.
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Multi-site or group hospitality experience.
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A strong network of suppliers and industry contacts.
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Experience opening new concepts or leading major menu developments.
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Consistently exceptional guest feedback.
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High-performing and engaged kitchen team.
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Strong financial performance and cost control.
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Innovative menu development driving customer loyalty.
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A kitchen culture built on pride, professionalism, and excellence.
At ODR, we believe hospitality is about people, passion, and creating memorable experiences. We invest in our teams, support ambition, and provide opportunities for talented individuals to grow their careers within a progressive and expanding hospitality group.
This is an opportunity to:
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Lead one of Malahide's most exciting restaurant kitchens.
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Influence the culinary direction of a growing hospitality group.
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Work with a passionate and supportive leadership team.
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Develop your career within a business that values innovation and excellence.
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Make a genuine impact on the future success of Nove and ODR.
If you're an ambitious culinary professional with the vision, leadership, and drive to elevate an already successful restaurant to new heights, we'd love to hear from you.
Join us and help shape the future of dining at Nove.
