At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a fresh-food kitchen, creating seasonal menus and managing a motivated team.
- Company: Craft Locals, a people-focused pub group dedicated to exceptional food and experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, 50% off food, 20% off drinks, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Genuine progression opportunities within a growing group of pubs.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a real impact in a vibrant pub environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Head Chef with strong leadership and financial management skills.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 47000 € per year.
£42,000–£47,000 + performance bonus + share of card tips
Food-Led Pub | Fresh Food | People-First Leadership
We are looking for an exceptional Head Chef to lead the kitchen in one of our food-led pubs — someone who cares deeply about quality, seasonal produce, and building a calm, well-run kitchen where people enjoy coming to work.
Located in the outskirts of Rickmansworth, just a short walk from the Aquadrome and Bishop's Wood Country Park, The Rose & Crown is a welcoming, country pub with deep local roots and a bright new chapter ahead. Perfectly placed for locals, walkers and visitors alike, it is a pub designed for relaxed pints, great food and good company.
Inside, you will find a proper pub atmosphere, with a carefully curated range of real ales and thoughtfully chosen wines, supported by fresh, seasonal food and excellent, friendly service. The Rose & Crown is a place where traditional pub values meet modern standards of hospitality.
Our kitchen delivers fresh, seasonal menus built around classic pub favourites, using quality ingredients and contemporary touches. On Sundays, we are all about exceptional roasts, with perfectly cooked meats, crisp unlimited roast potatoes, seasonal veg and rich gravies worth coming back for.
With outdoor seating for warmer days, a strong sense of community and a passion for great hospitality, The Rose & Crown is a pub where locals return time and again — a place to eat well, drink better and feel at home.
This role suits a confident, experienced Head Chef who enjoys delivering great pub food at pace without compromising standards. You will work closely with the General Manager to create menus that are thoughtful, seasonal, and right for the pub, while leading and developing a motivated kitchen team who take pride in their kitchen and what they put on the plate.
You will be supported by a hands-on head office team and clear systems that make compliance and admin straightforward — allowing you to focus on food, people, and consistency.
About you
- An experienced Head Chef who takes pride in delivering consistent, high-quality food
- Passionate about seasonal pub cooking, quality ingredients, and well-executed menus
- A calm, organised leader who enjoys developing and motivating a kitchen team
- Commercially aware, with confidence managing GP, labour, and compliance
- Collaborative in approach, working closely with the General Manager, HQ and FOH team
- Standards-driven, with a strong eye for detail and presentation
- Comfortable using systems and structure to run an efficient, compliant kitchen
- Committed to creating a positive kitchen culture where people enjoy coming to work
What you will be doing
- Leading a fresh-food kitchen, delivering consistently high standards
- Managing, training, and developing a strong kitchen team
- Working closely with the General Manager and FOH to deliver great guest experiences
- Managing GP, labour, and compliance with confidence and care
- Building relationships with local and trusted suppliers
- Running an organised, efficient kitchen using digital systems and best-practice processes
What’s in it for you
- A supportive, hands-on head office team that helps you succeed
- Clear structure, realistic expectations, and room to do things properly
- Company incentives and perks
- 50% off food and 20% off drinks across all venues
- 28 days holiday
- Training and communication via AllGravy
- WSET opportunities
- Genuine progression within a small, growing group (currently three sites)
- Share of card tips (£2,000+ expected)
- Fair, sustainable rotas — we work to live, not live to work
- Performance-related kitchen bonus (OTE £5,000)
What we are looking for
- Proven experience running a busy, quality-focused pub
- A passion for food and well-kept beer (especially cask)
- Strong people leadership and recruitment skills
- Confidence in financial management and commercial decision-making
- High standards and a genuine eye for detail
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
About Us
Craft Locals is a growing group of people-focused pubs, dedicated to delivering exceptional food, well-kept cask ale, and memorable guest experiences. We believe great pubs start with great teams, and we invest in our people — giving them the support, training, and tools they need to shine.
We have built systems that make running a pub straightforward and compliant, so our teams can focus on what really matters: welcoming guests and delivering an outstanding experience. From reservations to stock, scheduling to events, we use a suite of best-in-class tools to simplify operations and keep everything running smoothly.
At Craft Locals, we are proud to combine a love of people, food, and drink with smart systems and strong support — creating pubs that teams enjoy working in and guests love visiting.
Head Chef in Rickmansworth employer: Craft Locals
Craft Locals is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, offering a supportive environment for its Head Chef to thrive. With a focus on quality seasonal produce and a commitment to employee growth, the company provides clear structures, realistic expectations, and generous perks such as 50% off food and a performance-related bonus. Located in the charming outskirts of Rickmansworth, The Rose & Crown is not just a workplace but a community hub where staff can enjoy a fulfilling career in hospitality while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Rickmansworth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs and industry folks. Attend local food events or join culinary groups online. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or pop-up dinner to showcase your culinary talents. This not only gets your name out there but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to pubs you admire, like The Rose & Crown, and express your interest. A personal touch can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Craft Locals. Let’s get you in the kitchen!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Rickmansworth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for seasonal produce and quality ingredients shine through. We want to see that you care about what goes on the plate just as much as we do!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a kitchen team, so make sure to showcase your experience in developing and motivating others. Share examples of how you've created a positive kitchen culture in your previous roles.
Be Clear About Your Experience:We’re looking for someone with proven experience in running a busy pub kitchen. Don’t hold back on detailing your past roles, especially those that involved managing GP, labour, and compliance — it’s all relevant!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to get your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important details about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Craft Locals
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you’re well-versed in seasonal produce and quality ingredients. Be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you source your ingredients. This shows your passion for food and commitment to quality, which is key for a Head Chef role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your experience in leading a kitchen team. Share specific examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in the past. Highlighting your calm and organised approach will resonate well with their people-first leadership values.
✨Understand the Business Side
Brush up on your financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss how you manage GP, labour, and compliance. Showing that you can balance great food with commercial awareness will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with the General Manager and FOH team, be ready to share examples of successful collaborations in your previous roles. Highlight how you’ve built relationships with suppliers and other teams to enhance guest experiences.
