Walnut Careers

Walnut Careers is a boutique recruitment agency founded in 2014 by Patrick Nottebaum, specialising exclusively in fine dining and luxury hospitality recruitment. The company operates with a deliberate philosophy of quality over volume, positioning itself as fundamentally different from generalist recruitment portals and agencies that spread their focus across multiple sectors. Walnut Careers recruits for kitchen positions, service roles, and sales and industry functions, with a deep understanding of the nuances that distinguish exceptional talent in the gourmet restaurant and luxury hotel sectors. The team combines over 20 years of industry experience and genuine passion for the hospitality sector, enabling them to identify candidates at precisely the right moment in their career progression.

Walnut Careers specialises exclusively in gourmet restaurants and luxury hotels, as articulated by the company's founding principle: "We work only for gourmet restaurants and luxury hotels, nothing more and nothing less." The agency recruits for kitchen staff including chefs de cuisine, sous chefs, and kitchen teams; service positions such as restaurant managers, chefs de rang, and sommeliers; and sales and industry roles. This specialisation allows the team to understand the distinct requirements of Michelin-starred establishments, Relais and Châteaux properties, and other premium hospitality venues across Europe.

Walnut Careers operates across multiple European markets including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and Belgium, with headquarters in Düsseldorf. The company serves clients across regions including Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Hessen, and other key hospitality centres. Clients choose Walnut Careers for its boutique approach, deep industry knowledge, unbureaucratic communication, and proven ability to fill even difficult vacancies with candidates who align perfectly with client requirements. The agency's small, specialised team ensures personal relationships with both candidates and clients, whilst maintaining a strong European presence among the best recruitment specialists in the fine dining sector.