The lowest-paid head and executive chefs have seen their pay increase recently, particularly in budget hotels. Increases have perhaps been fuelled by the large number of newly built hotels - resulting in a situation where there are more jobs than chefs to fill them.

In contrast, competition for the top chefs jobs has kept salaries at the high end of the scale more static. The increasing progression of senior chefs up the salary ladder, especially in four- and five-star properties, has resulted in a lot of candidates for each vacancy.

Similarly, because chefs want to work in country house hotels, wages have been fairly stable in this sector across the UK.

The three-star market also appears to be resisting salary increases, with only London, the Midlands and the South-east achieving slight rises. However, this trend is predicted to change shortly as it is becoming harder for these hotels to attract good staff.

Salaries outside London have shown noticeable rises, primarily among four-star hotels in the South-east who are eager to entice chefs from London to commute or relocate.

Berkeley Scott expects some salary increases elsewhere in the UK over the next few months. Hotels in rural areas are starting to report shortages, possibly due to the drop in business over the winter months where lower staffing levels can be contained.

Hotel Low Medium High

Budget £16,000 £17-19,000 £20,000

Country house £25,000 £33-36,000 £45,000

3-star, to 100 rooms £20,000 £23-24,000 £26,000

3star, 100+ rooms £24,000 £27-29,000 £32,000

4-star, to 100 rooms £24,000 £30-33,000 £38,000

4-star, 100+ rooms £26,000 £34-37,000 £40,000

5-star, to 100 rooms £32,000 £39-45,000 £60,000

5-star, 100+ rooms £36,000 £45-60,000 £100,000

Hotel Low Medium High

Budget £15,000 £16-17,000 £18,000

Country house £20,000 £30-35,000 £45,000

3-star, to 100 rooms £18,000 £22-24,000 £25,000

3star, 100+ rooms £20,000 £23-24,000 £26,000

4-star, to 100 rooms £22,000 £26-28,000 £31,000

4-star, 100+ rooms £24,000 £28-32,000 £34,000

5-star, to 100 rooms £28,000 £35-40,000 £50,000

5-star, 100+ rooms £32,000 £38-40,000 £70,000

Hotel Low Medium High

Budget £14,000 £15-17,000 £19,000

Country house £20,000 £25-28,000 £32,000

3-star, to 100 rooms £18,000 £22-24,000 £25,000

3star, 100+ rooms £18,000 £22-24,000 £25,000

4-star, to 100 rooms £20,000 £26-28,000 £30,000

4-star, 100+ rooms £24,000 £28-30,000 £32,000

5-star, to 100 rooms £28,000 £33-36,000 £50,000

5-star, 100+ rooms £30,000 £40-45,000 £60,000