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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen, create seasonal menus, and inspire your team to deliver exceptional dishes.
- Company: Join Cleaver & Wake, part of the renowned Rhubarb Hospitality Collection.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for creativity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a respected restaurant while pushing culinary boundaries.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or ambitious Sous Chef with a passion for quality cooking.
- Other info: Collaborative atmosphere focused on excellence and innovation in the kitchen.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Part of the Rhubarb Hospitality Collection. At Cleaver & Wake, food sits at the centre of the experience. Set within a landmark building and known for its seasonal British cooking, the restaurant blends strong classical foundations with a modern, confident approach. As part of the Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, Cleaver & Wake benefits from the support, stability and reputation of one of the UK’s most respected hospitality groups while retaining its own identity, autonomy and creative focus.
We are now seeking an exceptional Head Chef to lead the kitchen and help drive the next stage of the restaurant’s culinary journey.
The Opportunity
This role is ideal for a chef who wants to lead, create and inspire, while working within a clearly defined culinary framework. The core offer, pricing structure and overall direction are established. Your role is to evolve the menu creatively, refine execution and push standards forward - championing seasonality, modern techniques and thoughtful development of dishes. You will work closely with the Executive Chef & senior leadership, with full support around budgeting and compliance, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: food, people and performance.
The Role
- Lead the creative development of seasonal menus within agreed guidelines
- Deliver food that balances modern and classic techniques
- Lead from the front during service, setting standards from the pass
- Build, train and inspire a strong kitchen brigade
- Oversee ordering, rotas and daily kitchen organisation
- Cook to agreed operational and commercial targets
- Maintain excellent food safety and kitchen standards
About You
You will be an experienced Head Chef (or Sous Chef ready for your first Head Chef role) from a very high-quality hospitality background, with:
- A strong technical foundation and modern culinary awareness
- A passion for seasonal, produce-driven cooking
- A calm, organised leadership style
- A genuine commitment to developing people
- A clear understanding of the commercial realities of running a professional kitchen
This is a role for a chef who values structure, clarity and collaboration — and who sees creativity not as freedom without limits, but as refinement within a strong identity.
Head Chef in Nottingham employer: Cleaver & Wake
Contact Detail:
Cleaver & Wake Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with fellow chefs, restaurant owners, and industry professionals. Attend culinary events or workshops to meet people who can help you land that Head Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or pop-up dinner to showcase your seasonal cooking and modern techniques. This is a great way to demonstrate your creativity and leadership in action.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about reaching out directly to restaurants you admire. A well-timed email or call can make a big difference. Let them know why you’re passionate about their culinary vision and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got all the resources you need to make your application stand out. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Rhubarb Hospitality Collection family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for seasonal British cooking shine through. Share your culinary journey and how it aligns with our vision at Cleaver & Wake. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who truly cares about the food they create.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Talk about how you've inspired and trained kitchen staff in the past. We’re looking for someone who can build a strong kitchen brigade, so show us how you’ve done this before!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you the perfect fit for this role. Use bullet points if it helps to highlight your key achievements and skills — we want to see your strengths quickly!
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 ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join the Rhubarb Hospitality Collection family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cleaver & Wake
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with Cleaver & Wake’s current menu and their approach to seasonal British cooking. Be ready to discuss how you would evolve the menu creatively while maintaining the restaurant's identity. This shows your passion for the role and your understanding of their culinary vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head Chef, your leadership will be crucial. Prepare examples of how you've built and inspired a kitchen brigade in the past. Discuss your calm and organised approach to leading during service, and how you set standards from the pass. This will demonstrate that you can lead effectively while fostering a positive kitchen environment.
✨Discuss Your Technical Skills
Be ready to talk about your strong technical foundation and modern culinary techniques. Share specific examples of dishes you’ve created that balance classic and modern styles. This will highlight your expertise and show that you can refine execution while pushing standards forward.
✨Understand the Business Side
Since this role involves overseeing budgets and compliance, it’s important to show that you understand the commercial realities of running a kitchen. Prepare to discuss how you’ve managed costs in previous roles while still delivering high-quality food. This will reassure them that you can handle the operational aspects of the position.
