At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a creative kitchen team and craft delicious seasonal menus.
- Company: Charming countryside pub with a passion for good food.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, tips, overtime pay, and work-life balance.
- Other info: Enjoy culinary masterclasses, food trips, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make your mark on the menu and enjoy a fun, engaging work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or ambitious Sous Chef with a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 24750 - 30250 £ per year.
£45,000 + TIPS & SERVICE CHARGE
Typical earnings of £52,000 + overtime
The Carpenters Arms | Countryside Pub | Tonbridge, Kent
Set amongst the beautiful farmland surrounding Tonbridge, The Carpenters Arms is a charming countryside pub with 9 cosy hotel rooms, a welcoming atmosphere and a real passion for good food!
We’re looking for a creative and passionate Head Chef to join our team and help us continue to develop our food offering. Our approach to food is simple: good ingredients, properly cooked, delicious food and no unnecessary fuss. We love classic pub favorites, seasonal dishes, daily specials and, of course, a cracking Sunday roast with all the trimmings. We also run regular themed food events, bringing a little excitement to the pub and giving our chefs the chance to have some more fun with food.
As Head Chef, you’ll have the opportunity to shape our menus, develop daily specials and introduce seasonal dishes, working with the best ingredients available. We’re looking for someone who enjoys being creative but also understands the importance of consistency, quality and delivering food that our guests genuinely want to come back for. You’ll lead the kitchen team, help develop our food offering and play an important part in creating the experience our guests enjoy.
Our philosophy is simply we CARE:
Community • Attention to detail • Reliable • Engaging
This forms the foundation for everything we do! We believe hard work should be rewarded.
Alongside your £45,000 base salary:
Service charge and tips typically add around £7,500 per year
Typical total earnings of approximately £52,500
Overtime is paid on top of contracted hours
We encourage a 4-day working week for our chefs wherever possible
You’ll have genuine input into the development of our food offering and team
And we’re serious about work-life balance. We want our chefs to enjoy their time at work without feeling that the kitchen has to take over their whole life.
Who are we looking for?
We’re looking for an experienced Head Chef or an ambitious Sous Chef ready to take the next step who:
- Has a genuine passion for good food
- Takes pride in quality and attention to detail
- Enjoys developing dishes and working with seasonal ingredients
- Can lead and motivate a kitchen team
- Is organised, reliable and hands-on
Fancy a chat?
If this sounds like the sort of place you’d enjoy working, come and have a coffee with us. We can talk about the role, the pub, the team and, naturally, all things food, one of my favourite subjects! We’d love to hear from you.
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:
- Head Chefs get to have 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 in Kent employer: Carpenters Arms
The Carpenters Arms is an exceptional employer located in the picturesque countryside of Tonbridge, Kent, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises creativity and work-life balance. As Head Chef, you will enjoy the autonomy to craft your own menus using fresh, seasonal ingredients while being supported by a team that values community, attention to detail, and engagement. With competitive earnings, opportunities for professional development, and a commitment to rewarding hard work, this role promises a fulfilling and enjoyable culinary career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Kent
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Carpenters Arms. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Carpenters Arms
Don't be shy about reaching out to Carpenters Arms directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Carpenters Arms and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carpenters Arms
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
