At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented kitchen team and create mouth-watering seasonal menus.
- Company: Join a vibrant community pub known for its fantastic food and events.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, discounts, and opportunities for culinary development.
- Other info: Be part of a community-focused pub with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Showcase your creativity and passion for fresh, local ingredients in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef with a flair for menu creation.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Head Chef to take the helm at the City Gate in Exeter. We are famous for our events spaces - including our hidden garden and cellar bar - and well known for serving fantastic traditional food - proper pub food made with fresh seasonal ingredients.
We are looking for a Head Chef that has experience working with fresh food to create comforting classics that showcase the best local produce. We have a whole host of event spaces in the pub, so we are also keen to hear from Head Chefs who have experience delivering menus for all occasions.
You will be in charge of writing menus, ensuring high standards in the kitchen, developing the team and looking after all aspects of kitchen management. Above all else, we are a modern community pub with close ties to Exeter Football Club and Exeter Chiefs.
Being a Head Chef at Young's means you will 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 is up to you as Head Chef to put your own creative stamp on that vision.
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:
- Someone that can inspire a team, 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.
- Experience championing excellent service through quality food either as a Head Chef or in the position of Sous Chef
- A passion for leading and developing a team
- An active hands-on team player with excellent communication skills
- Responsible and able to manage the kitchen staff rota, training and all health and safety effectively at all times
- Ability to demonstrate creativity and design and deliver new dishes for our menus and daily specials
- Great planning and organisational skills, necessary to maintain effective controls with regard to both GP and labour
- A pro-active approach to driving sales and delivering growth, through engagement with both kitchen and front of house teams
Head Chef in Exeter employer: City Gate
At Young's, we pride ourselves on being a modern community pub that values creativity and quality in the kitchen. As a Head Chef at our City Gate location in Exeter, you'll enjoy full autonomy to craft seasonal menus using the best local produce, while benefiting from a supportive work culture that encourages personal growth through our Apprenticeship Scheme and culinary masterclasses. With competitive pay, generous discounts, and a commitment to fostering a collaborative environment, we offer an exceptional opportunity for passionate chefs looking to make their mark in a vibrant community setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs and industry folks. Attend local food events or culinary workshops to meet people who might know about job openings or can give you a heads-up on opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even host a pop-up event. This way, you can demonstrate your creativity and passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients directly to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply – engage! When you find a job that excites you, reach out to the pub directly. A quick call or message can make you stand out from the crowd and show your genuine interest in their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Join culinary forums or online groups where chefs share tips and experiences. This not only helps you stay updated on trends but also connects you with others who might have leads on head chef positions.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Creativity:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! Share your unique approach to creating menus and how you use fresh, seasonal ingredients. We want to see your passion for food and how you can bring your own twist to our pub's offerings.
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 kitchen staff and created a positive working environment. We love a hands-on team player!
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don't just say you've worked with fresh food; give us the details! Mention specific dishes you've created or events you've catered for. This helps us understand your expertise and how you can contribute to our community pub vibe.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team at Young's!
How to prepare for a job interview at City Gate
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you’re well-versed in the fresh seasonal ingredients that are popular in the area. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate local produce into your menus and showcase your creativity with comforting classics.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you’ll need to inspire your team. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully led a kitchen before, developed staff, and maintained high standards. Think about specific situations where your leadership made a difference.
✨Menu Planning Mastery
Be prepared to talk about your experience in writing menus and creating specials. Bring along some ideas for dishes that could fit the pub’s vision, and be ready to explain your thought process behind them.
✨Engage with the Community
Since the pub has strong ties with local clubs and the community, think about how you can contribute to this. Discuss any past experiences you have had with community engagement or events, and how you can bring that to the City Gate.
