At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and innovate seasonal menus while leading a passionate kitchen team.
- Company: The Alexander Pope, a vibrant pub and hotel in Twickenham.
- Benefits: Full menu autonomy, culinary masterclasses, discounts, and 28 days holiday.
- Why this job: Showcase your creativity and passion for fresh food in a buzzing environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and enjoy opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About us: The Alexander Pope pub & hotel is a stylish hub for Twickenham & Teddington, just a five-minute walk from Strawberry Hill Station. Serving all the pub classics, we have a particular focus on fresh fish which we champion via our daily 'Skipper's Catch'. On rugby days you can find the pub buzzing with all the pre-match diners, not to mention our live music nights and famous quiz nights. Sundays are very popular for families who just love our Sunday Roasts.
Being a Head Chef at Young's: We believe every pub should be different. This means that you’ll be writing your own recipes that match the food vision of your business using fresh seasonal ingredients. The food vision could be all about showcasing local produce, country pub classics, seafood, small plates and sharers, dry-aged meat - each pub is different and it’s up to you as head chef to put your own creative stamp on that vision. We work with fresh, seasonal produce, so the menu should constantly evolve to showcase these fantastic ingredients when they are at their best. Premium fresh food crafted by skilled chefs in Premium Pubs.
What we offer our Head Chefs:
- Full autonomy to create your own menus and specials
- Access to our Apprenticeship Scheme and Development Programmes
- Access to regular culinary masterclasses covering topics such as Game, Butchery and Shellfish
- Access to inspirational food trips with our top quality suppliers
- Regular Chef Forums with other Head Chefs to inspire and develop
- Free meals
- 20% discount in all Young's Pubs and 30% discount on overnight stays in our Pubs with Rooms
- Share save Scheme
- Enhanced Company Pension Scheme
- 28 Days Holiday per year
What we look for in a Head Chef:
- This role requires someone that can inspire a team, to bring out the potential and lead by example whilst being able to develop, cost and produce fresh seasonal menus for the variety of revenue streams within the business.
- Have experience championing excellent service through quality food either as a Head Chef or in the position of Sous Chef
- Demonstrate a passion for leading and developing a team
- Be an active hands-on team player with excellent communication skills
- Be responsible and able to manage the kitchen staff rota, training and all health and safety effectively at all times
- Be able to demonstrate your creativity and ability to design and deliver new dishes for our menus and daily specials
- Demonstrate great planning and organisational skills, necessary to maintain effective controls with regard to both GP and labour
- Have a pro-active approach to driving sales and delivering growth, through engagement with both kitchen and front of house teams
Head Chef employer: Alexander Pope
Contact Detail:
Alexander Pope Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the pub! Before your interview, pop in for a meal or a drink. This way, you can get a feel for the atmosphere and the menu, plus it shows your genuine interest in the place.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! Prepare a few unique dish ideas that align with their focus on fresh fish and seasonal ingredients. Presenting your vision can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current staff or chefs if you can. They might give you insider tips about what the pub values most in a Head Chef, and it could help you tailor your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed, and we love seeing passionate candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking and fresh ingredients shine through. Share your culinary journey and what inspires you to create unique dishes that match our food vision.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your experience in inspiring and developing others. Talk about how you've successfully managed a kitchen and brought out the best in your team.
Be Creative with Your Menu Ideas: We want to see your creativity! Include some examples of dishes or menu concepts you've developed in the past. This will help us understand how you can put your own stamp on our offerings at The Alexander Pope.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It's the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey to becoming our next Head Chef.
How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Pope
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with seasonal ingredients and local produce. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate these into your menu, especially focusing on fresh fish and pub classics that resonate with the pub's identity.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to present a few unique dish ideas or specials that reflect your culinary style. This is your chance to impress them with your creativity and ability to design menus that evolve with the seasons.
✨Team Leadership Skills
Think about examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a kitchen team. Be prepared to share how you inspire and develop your team while maintaining high standards of service and food quality.
✨Engagement with Front of House
Demonstrate your understanding of the relationship between the kitchen and front of house. Discuss strategies you’ve used to drive sales and enhance customer experience through collaboration with the service team.