At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen, create delicious pub classics, and mentor a passionate team.
- Company: Woodbridge Hotel, a beloved local pub with a vibrant community atmosphere.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, up to $20K bonus, career growth, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and enjoy autonomy in a busy, thriving kitchen.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a historic venue while serving hearty Irish and English dishes.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef with a passion for pub food.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 € per year.
Located in the heart of Guildford, the Woodbridge Hotel is a much-loved local pub full of character, set within a charming heritage building. With a busy bistro, loyal community following and a packed events calendar, the venue delivers a warm, welcoming pub experience week in, week out.
The kitchen is all about elevated pub classics with a strong Irish and English influence - hearty, generous dishes designed to keep locals coming back. Expect fresh, in-house cooking, quality local produce, rotating specials and strong, consistent trade across the week.
We’re looking for a passionate, hands-on Head Chef to take ownership of the kitchen, lead from the front and continue building a strong, high-performing BOH team.
The Role- Full ownership of all BOH operations
- Lead, mentor and develop your kitchen team
- Drive food quality, consistency and service standards
- Manage stock control, ordering, rostering and labour costs
- Deliver strong GP performance in line with AVC targets
- Maintain high standards across food safety and WHS compliance
- Proven experience as a Head Chef, or a strong Sous Chef ready for the next step
- Background in busy pubs, bistros or high-volume kitchens
- Passion for classic pub food and hearty Irish/English-style cooking
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to build and retain a solid team
- Hands-on, organised and calm under pressure
- Strong understanding of kitchen systems, costing and operational performance
- Competitive salary + yearly bonus of up to $20K paid quarterly
- Well-established venue with strong local trade and community presence
- Autonomy to lead your kitchen and influence the food offering
- Support from AVC central teams including operations, recruitment, marketing and IT
- Career growth opportunities across a network of 240+ venues
- Great team culture within a community-focused pub
- Staff discounts across all AVC venues
Ready to take the next step in your career and make your mark at one of Guildford’s iconic locals? Apply now via Seek or through our careers page.
Head Chef | Woodbridge in Surrey employer: Australian-Venue-Co.-1
Join the Woodbridge Hotel, a cherished local pub in Guildford, where you can thrive as a Head Chef in a vibrant and supportive environment. With a focus on elevated pub classics and a strong community presence, you'll enjoy competitive pay, a yearly bonus, and the autonomy to shape your kitchen while benefiting from career growth opportunities across a network of over 240 venues. Experience a fantastic team culture and staff discounts that make working here not just a job, but a rewarding experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef | Woodbridge in Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, pop into the Woodbridge Hotel for a meal or a drink. This way, you can experience the vibe and menu first-hand, which will help you connect with the team during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for pub food! When you’re in the interview, share your favourite classic dishes and how you’d elevate them. We love hearing about your creative ideas and how you can bring that Irish and English influence to life.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about your leadership style. We want to know how you build and retain a strong kitchen team. Share examples of how you’ve mentored others and created a positive work environment in busy kitchens.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to highlight your operational skills! Discuss your experience with stock control, ordering, and managing costs. We’re looking for someone who can keep everything running smoothly while delivering top-notch food quality.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef | Woodbridge in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your love for classic pub food and the culinary arts shine through. We want to see your enthusiasm for hearty Irish and English dishes, so don’t hold back!
Highlight Your Experience:Make sure to detail your experience as a Head Chef or a strong Sous Chef. We’re looking for someone who’s been in busy kitchens before, so share those stories that showcase your skills and leadership.
Be Organised:In your application, demonstrate your organisational skills. Talk about how you manage stock control, ordering, and labour costs. We love a candidate who can keep things running smoothly under pressure!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our careers page. It’s the best way for us to see your application and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at the Woodbridge Hotel!
How to prepare for a job interview at Australian-Venue-Co.-1
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of dishes the Woodbridge Hotel serves. Understand their Irish and English influences and be ready to discuss how you can elevate their pub classics. This shows your passion for the role and helps you connect with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head Chef, leading a team is crucial. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully mentored and developed kitchen staff in the past. Discuss your approach to building a strong team culture and how you handle pressure in a busy kitchen environment.
✨Discuss Food Quality and Consistency
Highlight your experience in maintaining high food quality and consistency. Bring specific examples of how you've managed stock control, ordering, and labour costs effectively. This will demonstrate your understanding of operational performance and your ability to drive results.
✨Prepare Questions About the Venue
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the Woodbridge Hotel’s community presence, events calendar, and future plans. This not only shows your interest in the venue but also helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
