Head Chef

Our professional and relaxed work community in Kilpisjärvi is seeking a HEAD CHEF for a permanent, full-time position (112.5h/3 weeks) to lead the kitchen at Santa's Hotel Rakka. Our restaurant prepares breakfast, half-board, and à la carte dishes. As Head Chef, you will be responsible for the restaurant's culinary experiences, leading the kitchen team, and ensuring smooth and efficient operations in accordance with the chain's evolving concepts. You will lead by example, develop the menu according to the seasons, and ensure high quality in everything from raw materials to the customer experience. Have you dreamed of living and working in a small village community amidst the stunning landscapes of the Arm of Finland, surrounded by nature? You are the right person for us if you are passionate about creating experiences for customers with high-quality food products and holistically developing the kitchen's efficient operations. You have a keen sense of situational awareness and are a self-directed team player who remains calm under pressure. Professional education in the field and previous experience as a kitchen supervisor provide particularly good qualifications for the role. In your position, you will work in close cooperation with the restaurant manager, who serves as your direct supervisor, and the hotel manager. We expect from you: * Strong experience in kitchen management and efficient operations * Evidence of successful supervisory work and staff motivation * Good interaction and cooperation skills * Hygiene passport * Fluent oral and written proficiency in Finnish and English * Proficiency in systems (e.g., Opera Cloud, Simphony, Maraplan, Kespro) is considered an advantage We offer you: * A responsible and versatile role in a year-round restaurant * Santa's Hotels chain staff benefits * A positive working atmosphere and a supportive team * Possibility of staff housing if needed * Salary: MaraTES or an agreed salary based on experience/expertise Application period ends August 23, 2026, but please apply soon as we process applications during the application period. Work begins by agreement during the autumn. Further information Petri Neuvonen, Santa's Hotel Rakka Restaurant Manager petri.neuvonen@santashotels.fi, tel. 0406671470 (calling hours Mondays and Thursdays 12:00–14:00) Completed in 2023, Santa's Hotel Rakka offers visitors to Saana Fell and the wilderness of the Arm of Finland 41 hotel rooms, 21 fully equipped apartments, and a 100-seat restaurant. The high-quality Nordic design of the rooms and the rugged landscapes of Saana Fell visible through the windows create a striking contrast. The hotel provides a high-level service package where the customer's holistic experience is paramount. Santa's Hotels is a Lapland-based family-owned hotel chain that is part of the Sava-Group corporation. The group has operated hotel businesses for over 30 years, and the Santa's Hotels chain has grown over the years into one of the most significant players in the Lapland tourism industry. Our international and stylish chain offers experiential accommodation, catering, meeting, and event services in Rovaniemi, Inari (Luosto), Levi, Saariselkä, Kilpisjärvi, and Kalajoki. Additionally, our hotel in Kalajoki features a spa. Our chain employs approximately 150 people year-round and about 300 people during peak seasons.