For Employers

You need someone exceptional.
I probably already know who.

Luxury hospitality headhunting by someone who's actually worked in your kitchens, run your passes, and managed your dining rooms.

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93%
Fill Rate
The UK recruitment industry fills around 30% of the roles it takes on. I'm selective about what I work on β€” and I deliver.
4
Vacancies
at a Time
The average UK recruiter juggles 15-20 vacancies at once. I take four. Your role gets my full attention β€” not a time-slice.
13
Years Inside
Hospitality
I grew from KP to GM in 5 years. One Diploma in Wine later, I spent 4 years running a Michelin starred restaurant. I've done the jobs I recruit for.
Who I Work With

Built for the best in hospitality

I work with businesses where hiring the wrong person isn't just expensive β€” it changes the guest experience. If standards matter, we should talk.

⭐ Michelin-Star Restaurants
🍷 Independent Restaurants
🏨 4 & 5-Star Luxury Hotels
🍽️ Premium Restaurant Groups
🏑 Boutique & Independent Hotels
πŸ₯‚ Private Members Clubs
πŸ₯ƒ Distillery & Spirits Venues
🏰 Country House Hotels & Estates
Track Record

Some of my recent placements

I've placed Executive chefs, F&B directors, and senior managers into some of the most demanding hospitality environments in the world. Here's a taste of recent work.

5-Star Hotel
Cyprus
Executive Head Chef
Placed into a luxury 5-star property. Role filled through targeted headhunt within the 5-star hotels network.
Luxury Restaurant Group
Florida, USA
3 Senior Hires
Michelin level Chef de cuisine, Sous chef, and Head Waiter placed into an expanding luxury group. Fine dining.
Michelin-Star Restaurant
Scotland
Chef de Partie
Entry-level role for a Michelin-starred kitchen. Candidate sourced from competing fine dining venues.
World-Famous Whisky Producer
Scotland
Director of F&B
Hired to transform F&B operations of a World-class whisky Visitor Centre
5-Star Hotel
Scotland
Restaurant Manager and Bar Manager
Two senior leaders placed to take care of newly launched outlets - high-volume Brasserie and 500 bottles strong Whisky Bar
Private Members Club
Singapore
F&B Director
Senior leadership placement for an exclusive venue. Culture fit was everything.
Your Safety Net

Every placement comes guaranteed.

Hire with confidence.

Recruitment isn't risk-free β€” but working with me should feel like it. Every placement comes with built-in protection, so you're never left exposed if things don't work out.

βœ“
Free replacement within the first 12 weeks β€” if the hire doesn't work out β€” at no additional cost
βœ“
100% refund in week one if it's clearly not the right fit β€” I take that responsibility seriously
βœ“
Sliding credit note from 75% down to 10% across the 12-week period if you no longer need the role filled
How It Works

Not your average recruitment process.

Most recruiters post an ad, send you a stack of CVs, and hope for the best. I do things differently β€” and it shows in the results.

01
The Deep Dive
This isn't a 10-minute job spec call. I dig into what's actually going on β€” why people are leaving, what's broken, what the team dynamics look like, and where you want the business to be. I need to understand what success in this role looks like at 6 and 12 months. The better the brief, the better the hire.
Challenger-style briefingCulture fit mappingSuccess criteria defined
02
The Search
I don't just post an ad and hope. I run four approaches simultaneously: mapping the market to identify where the right people are hiding, headhunting directly from competitor properties, creative advertising across my 35,000-strong hospitality network, and searching my existing database of pre-qualified candidates. Some of my adverts have produced the right candidate within 24 hours.
Market mappingDirect headhunting35,000+ networkCreative advertising
03
The Shortlist
Every candidate goes through my own interviewing process β€” psychology-based, results-driven questions that go far beyond "tell me about yourself." I never shortlist someone who isn't genuinely excited about your opportunity. And sometimes I spot something others miss β€” a candidate whose background doesn't look obvious on paper but who's exactly what you need.
Psychology-based interviewingOnly genuinely interested candidatesNo speculative CVs, ever
04
The Introduction
You won't just get a CV in your inbox. Every candidate comes with an in-depth introduction explaining exactly why I think they're right for this role β€” their strengths, their motivations, and what they'd bring to your team. I arrange and manage all interviews, handle offer negotiations, and make sure both sides are aligned before anything is signed.
In-depth candidate presentationsInterview coordinationOffer negotiation
05
The Aftercare
This is where most recruiters disappear. I don't. The first few months are when most placements are at risk β€” new environments, new teams, new pressures. I stay in regular contact with both you and the candidate, helping both sides to navigate the adjustment period. Your success is my reputation.
Regular check-ins with both sidesNavigating the critical first monthsProtecting the placement
What Clients Say

Don't take my word for it

"

Thanks to Pawel's services, we built a dream team that has elevated our business to new heights. With his help, we found three exceptional senior managers who have become the backbone of our success. From the start, Pawel understood our needs and presented a diverse pool of top-tier candidates, saving us time and effort.

Shaun R.
Hotel Owner
"

Pawel's dedication to finding the perfect fit was impressive. The Director he found fits in like a glove, bringing fresh and exciting concepts to the table. We can't thank Pawel enough for his top-notch service, and he's definitely a go-to guy if you need someone to find you awesome talent.

Daniela C.
Owner, High-End Restaurant Group
"

I can't recommend Pawel enough, he's more of a skilled movie Director always pairing the right actor for the right part. His professionalism along with his genuine personality make him a rarity in today's unfortunate "used car-salesman" type of recruitment market.

Nick M.
High-End Operations Manager
"

The first word that comes to mind when it comes to PaweΕ‚ is "dedication." The amount of time and effort he puts in to understand what you truly need β€” not just the skills on paper, but the personality, the drive, the cultural fit. It's rare.

Client
5-Star Resort, Scotland
PaweΕ‚ Kukulka
PaweΕ‚ Kukulka
Founder, People Person
  • Managed Michelin-star restaurant for 4 years
  • Worked in 5-star hotels kitchens
  • 36,000+ LinkedIn followers in hospitality
  • 100+ placements across 3 continents in 7 years
  • Based in Spain, recruiting globally
The Person Behind People Person

I've run the pass. I've managed the floor. Now I find people who can.

Before I became a headhunter, I spent over a decade inside hospitality. I've managed Michelin-star restaurants. I've run pass during a 200-cover service. I've dealt with no-shows, kitchen dramas, and the pressure of standards that can't slip.

That's why I recruit differently. When you tell me you need an exec chef who can handle a brigade of 15 and keep costs below 32%, I don't just understand the words β€” I've lived the reality behind them. I know which candidates can actually deliver and which ones just interview well.

I don't work like a big agency. There's no team, no account managers, no one "looking after your account." It's me. Directly. On the phone, in your inbox, in your kitchen if needed. And because I only take on 4 vacancies at a time, your hire gets my full attention β€” not a fraction of it.

Think of our first conversation as a first date, not a marriage proposal. No commitment, no hard sell. Just a chat about what you need and whether I'm the right person to find it.

Ready?

Let’s see if we’re a good fit.

15 minutes on the phone. You tell me what you need, I’ll tell you honestly if I can help. No pitch, no follow-up sequence, no β€œjust checking in” emails.

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