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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen team, crafting delicious dishes and managing daily operations.
- Company: Join Upham Inns, a growing collection of premium pubs in beautiful Southern England.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible shifts, discounts on meals and accommodation, and access to thousands of lifestyle discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team that values passion, creativity, and shared success in a lively pub atmosphere.
- Qualifications: Must have at least 1 year of Head Chef experience and excellent culinary skills.
- Other info: Live-in options available; perfect for those who thrive in a busy, energetic environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Join Our Culinary Family at The Running Horse, Littleton!
Are you a passionate Head Chef ready to lead with flair and flavour? At The Running Horse in Littleton, we’re not just about delicious dishes – we’re about people. Our bustling pub is the heart of the village, and we’re looking for a Head Chef who thrives on teamwork, inspires their brigade, and brings guests back time and again with unforgettable food and a warm, welcoming kitchen vibe. From Sunday roasts to seasonal specials, you’ll have the freedom to shape a menu that excites our locals and celebrates quality ingredients.
Here, it’s all about shared success. You’ll be joining a vibrant, close-knit team who believe in lifting each other up and having a laugh along the way. Whether it’s the camaraderie behind the pass or the smiling faces in the dining room, every service is a chance to connect, create, and bring joy to our guests. If you’re driven by pride, passion, and people – and love the energy of a pub that feels like home – we’d love to hear from you.
What’s in it for you?
- Up to £42,000 of Tronc (this can be up to £5000 per year)
- Flexible shift patterns
- Up to 33% off meals taken off duty for you and up to 6 guests
- 33% off our hotel accommodation & 20% for Friends and Family
- Development program with a clear pathway
- Access to the lifestyle card – which will provide you with instant access to over 5,000 discounts across all aspects of their lifestyle. With thousands of discounts covering local independents, national and online businesses, there are plenty of opportunities to save money. The lifestyle card is a 100% free benefit for our Upham Inn team members.
- Service Awards
- Refer a friend and Chef recruitment incentives of up to £1000
Head Chef Requirements:
- Excellent Culinary and presentation skills
- Minimum 1 years experience as a Head Chef
- Excellent Communication and Interpersonal skills
- Energetic with passion to do a great job
- Able to manage staff in a calm, inspirational manner
- A forward-thinker that can manage stock with minimal wastage
- Demonstrates a passion for food
- Team Player
- Excellent organisation skills
- An understanding of profit margins and food stock controls.
- The Right to Work in the UK
Head Chef Responsibilities:
- Plan, organise and direct the preparation and cooking of food ensuring that the company\’s reputation for quality is enhanced
- Preparing high quality food for our guests quickly and efficiently
- Maintaining food hygiene and safety standards
- Responsibility for ordering and stock controls, reduction of waste
- Overseeing day to day kitchen operations in a proactive and hands-on way
- Leading a team of chefs and KP\’s, Train, Coach and mentoring is a must
- Maintaining a clean and organised kitchen
- Adhere to allergen laws and respect for dietary requirements
- producing rotas and cleaning schedules for kitchen staff
A job you can enjoy
We are looking to recruit a passionate and dedicated Head Chef who is a natural born leader to join us on our very exciting Journey.
We are very passionate about what we do and the quality of the ingredients we cook with, so we need a Head Chef who loves to cook with raw ingredients as well as having the ability to coach and educate their team.
If you have previous Head Chef experience, a strong team approach, a real passion for delivering service excellence, and the strong desire to work within a progressive and expanding company – then we want to hear from you!
This is not for the faint hearted as we are busy and going to get busier, so we need an experienced high class operator to lead and manage our Kitchen whilst executing great food quality.
It goes without saying that 5 star food hygiene standards come before everything.
What do we do?
We own a collection of beautiful and individual premium pubs across Southern England. Our pubs are in idyllic settings in country villages and towns, where we are proud to be the quality local of the area, serving high quality fresh pub food in a cozy pub ambience. Most of our pubs have some Charming Bedrooms as well. New to our growing family is Harper’s Steakhouse, a new premium American Steakhouse brand that we started rolling out last year.
It’s an exciting time to join us!
Upham Inns is growing, and we want you to grow with us and be part of our success. We’ve been busy investing in our business and we are seeing some great results. So, we want to continue to grow our pub family and we are looking to recruit passionate people into our team
We are looking for great people to join us
Our company is big enough to support you but small enough to care about your individual needs. We are a friendly, hands-on team who have a passion for running great pubs. We are always on the lookout for like-minded people who have the desire to work and grow with us.
Head Chef - Live in available - The Running Horse employer: Upham Inns
Contact Detail:
Upham Inns Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Live in available - The Running Horse
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with The Running Horse's menu and culinary style. Understanding their focus on quality ingredients and seasonal specials will help you demonstrate your passion for food during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Highlighting your ability to inspire and mentor others will resonate well with the values they cherish.
✨Tip Number 3
Connect with current or former employees of The Running Horse through social media platforms like LinkedIn. Gaining insights into the company culture and expectations can give you an edge in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to managing stock and minimising waste. Given their emphasis on profit margins and sustainability, demonstrating your knowledge in these areas will show you're aligned with their operational goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Live in available - The Running Horse
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your culinary skills and leadership experience. Emphasise any previous roles as a Head Chef, focusing on your ability to manage a team and create exciting menus.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and teamwork. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to inspire a kitchen brigade and connect with guests.
Showcase Your Culinary Philosophy: In your application, briefly outline your culinary philosophy and how it aligns with The Running Horse's focus on quality ingredients and creating memorable dining experiences.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: Include any awards or recognitions you've received in your culinary career. This could be anything from food hygiene certifications to accolades for menu innovation or customer satisfaction.
How to prepare for a job interview at Upham Inns
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your love for cooking and quality ingredients during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you’ve created or how you’ve sourced local produce, as this aligns with the ethos of The Running Horse.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've inspired and managed a kitchen brigade in the past. Highlight your ability to train and mentor staff.
✨Discuss Menu Planning Experience
Talk about your experience in planning menus that excite customers. Mention any seasonal specials or unique dishes you've created, and how you ensure they align with customer preferences and dietary requirements.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
The Running Horse values a close-knit team environment. Be ready to share examples of how you've fostered teamwork in previous roles and how you communicate effectively with both kitchen staff and front-of-house teams.
