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- Tasks: Lead the kitchen, create delicious dishes, and manage a talented team.
- Company: Woodbridge Hotel, a vibrant pub in Guildford with a strong community vibe.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, quarterly bonuses, and discounts across 240+ venues.
- Why this job: Take charge of a busy kitchen and make your mark on a beloved local spot.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to step up.
- Other info: Enjoy career progression and a supportive team culture in a lively environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Located in the heart of Guildford, Woodbridge Hotel is a well-established local pub set in a charming heritage building with a busy bistro, strong community trade and a lively events calendar. The kitchen delivers classic pub favourites with a traditional Irish/English influence - think hearty, generous, crowd‑pleasing dishes done consistently well. The menu focuses on fresh, in‑house cooking using local produce, with regular specials and strong weekly trade.
We are on the hunt for a hands‑on Head Chef to lead the kitchen, drive consistency and build a strong, reliable team.
The Role- Full ownership of BOH operations
- Lead, train and develop your kitchen team
- Drive food quality, consistency and service standards
- Manage stock, ordering, rostering and labour costs
- Deliver strong GP outcomes in line with AVC targets
- Maintain compliance across food safety and WHS
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous ready to step up
- Background in pub, bistro or high‑volume venues
- Strong leadership and team development skills
- Organised, hands‑on and calm under pressure
- Solid understanding of cost control and kitchen systems
- Competitive salary + Head Chef bonus of up to $20K paid quarterly
- Established venue with consistent local trade
- Autonomy to run your kitchen and influence the offer
- Support from AVC central teams (ops, recruitment, marketing, IT)
- Career progression across a large hospitality group
- Great team culture in a community‑driven venue
- Staff discounts across 240+ AVC venues
Ready to take the reins? Apply now via Seek or on our careers page.
Head Chef in Guildford employer: Downey Park
Contact Detail:
Downey Park Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Guildford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs and hospitality professionals. Attend local events, join culinary groups, or even pop into the Woodbridge Hotel for a chat. You never know who might have a lead on your next big opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or a pop-up kitchen to showcase your cooking style. This is a great way to get noticed and demonstrate your passion for food and leadership in a hands-on way.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the venue! Before applying, dive deep into the Woodbridge Hotel's menu and community vibe. Tailor your approach to show how your experience aligns with their focus on fresh, in-house cooking and strong community trade.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t just apply anywhere—apply through our website! It shows you're genuinely interested in joining the team at Woodbridge Hotel. Plus, it gives us a chance to see your application in the best light possible!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through. Share your experiences and what drives you in the kitchen. We want to see that you're not just a chef, but someone who truly enjoys creating delicious dishes!
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 trained and developed your team in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and motivate others in a busy kitchen environment.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous jobs; dive into the details! Mention specific achievements, like how you improved food quality or managed costs effectively. We want to know how your background aligns with our needs at Woodbridge Hotel.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our careers page. 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!
How to prepare for a job interview at Downey Park
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of dishes the Woodbridge Hotel serves. Be ready to discuss how you would enhance their menu with your own ideas while keeping that traditional Irish/English influence in mind.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, leading a team is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully trained and developed kitchen staff in the past. Highlight any specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them to build a strong team.
✨Demonstrate Your Cost Control Knowledge
Be prepared to talk about your experience with managing stock, ordering, and controlling costs. Bring specific examples of how you’ve achieved strong GP outcomes in previous roles, as this will show you understand the financial side of running a kitchen.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
The kitchen can be a hectic environment, so it’s important to convey your ability to stay organised and calm. Share stories from your past experiences where you successfully managed high-pressure situations, ensuring food quality and service standards were maintained.