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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team and create delicious, fresh dishes.
- Company: The Old Cock Inn, a charming pub with a vibrant atmosphere.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, and discounts on meals and drinks.
- Why this job: Join us to inspire a team and elevate our food experience.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef in a premium environment and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Enjoy a fun culture with great work-life balance and career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 54000 £ per year.
The Old Cock Inn is a delightful pub & restaurant in the heart of Harpenden, offering guests the added benefit of six boutique bedrooms. We have a stylish and cosy restaurant, a relaxed and informal bar area with a roaring log fire for the colder months, and our lovely terrace garden at the back. We’re what you might call a ‘proper pub’ serving a selection of real ales and craft beers, alongside an extensive wine, gin and spirit list.
Your Role As Head Chef
- Responsible for all food production ensuring that food is prepared to an exemplary standard.
- Overall accountability for hygiene and health and safety within the kitchen.
- Ensuring all team members are fully trained and aware of how food is stored, rotated and disposed of and monitoring their adherence.
- To ensure that food and labour costs are effectively managed in order to achieve a strong food margin and labour within budget.
- Responsible for the recruitment, training, coaching and development of the kitchen team to ensure the delivery of excellent food quality and guest satisfaction.
- To train and coach the front of house team to ensure that they have a good knowledge of all menu items so that our guest service is of the highest standards.
- Ensure that company policies and procedures are followed by checking Food Safety and Health & Safety daily and Business Due Diligence on a weekly basis.
- Complete daily and weekly stock checks and ensure that all invoices are processed daily and accounted for.
- Input into menu development as required.
Requirements
- Currently a Head Chef with a background in a premium environment and passion for fresh food.
- The ability to deliver to excellent standards in a fast paced and pressurised environment.
- Leadership qualities including motivating your team through holding regular and engaging team meetings and briefs.
- A role model and a vision to inspire the kitchen team.
- Ability to deal with poor performers in a fair and constructive way.
Benefits
- Salary to £45,000.
- 28 days holiday.
- Company Pension scheme.
- Retail and beer discounts.
- Refer a friend Bonus.
- 50% off meals on duty.
- Cycle to work.
- Employee Assistance programme.
- Benefits portal.
- Career development programme.
- Fun culture and great work life balance.
- Chef Whites.
Head Chef employer: Charles Wells
Contact Detail:
Charles Wells Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the pub scene in Harpenden! Visit The Old Cock Inn and chat with the staff or regulars. This will give you a feel for the vibe and help you tailor your approach when you apply.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you can, bring a sample of your signature dish to the interview. It’s a great way to demonstrate your passion for fresh food and set yourself apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about your leadership style. The Old Cock Inn is looking for someone who can inspire their kitchen team, so think of examples where you've motivated others or turned around a poor performer.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let us see your love for fresh ingredients and culinary creativity. Share any unique dishes you've created or experiences that highlight your passion for the food industry.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you’ll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership qualities in your application. Talk about how you've motivated your team in the past and any successful training initiatives you've implemented.
Be Detail-Oriented: We’re all about maintaining high standards, so pay attention to detail in your application. Ensure your CV is well-structured, free of errors, and clearly outlines your relevant experience and achievements.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Charles Wells
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Make sure you’re familiar with the menu and can discuss each dish confidently. Be prepared to share your ideas for menu development, as this shows your passion for fresh food and creativity in the kitchen.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles. Discuss your approach to holding engaging team meetings and how you handle poor performance constructively.
✨Emphasise Hygiene and Safety Knowledge
Be ready to talk about your experience with food safety and health regulations. Highlight any systems you’ve implemented to ensure compliance and how you train your team to maintain high standards.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Discuss your experience managing food and labour costs effectively. Bring examples of how you’ve achieved strong food margins while staying within budget, as this is crucial for the role.
