At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen, delivering high-quality dishes in a bustling waterfront venue.
- Company: Join the award-winning Lake View Garden Bar, part of Hargreaves Enterprises.
- Benefits: Earn £17.00 per hour, enjoy free meals, and access discounts across all venues.
- Other info: Enjoy company events, training opportunities, and a supportive team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a lively environment while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to step up.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
Work somewhere worth running a kitchen. Imagine leading a kitchen where the terrace is packed, the lake is right outside, and every service has the energy of peak season. This isn't a quiet backstreet kitchen. Lake View Garden Bar is a busy, three-level waterfront venue in Bowness-on-Windermere, serving fresh food and drinks to guests who are genuinely on holiday and in a good mood. We're a Cumbria Tourism Awards finalist and Best Beer Garden award winner, and the standard we hold ourselves to reflects that.
We're looking for a Head Chef who can take real ownership of the kitchen, lead a team with confidence, and deliver consistent, high-quality food in a high-volume environment. You'll work closely with and report to our Executive Chef, so you'll have strong leadership above you as well as a team below you.
- Leading the kitchen team day-to-day, setting standards and driving performance
- Delivering consistent, high-quality dishes across busy services
- Controlling GP margins and minimising waste
- Ensuring food safety, hygiene, and compliance at all times
- Training and developing your team on skills and consistency
- Working closely with the Executive Chef and wider management team to keep service running smoothly across the venue
About Lake View Garden Bar and Hargreaves Enterprises: Lake View Garden Bar is part of Hargreaves Enterprises, a multi-brand hospitality group that also runs The Cranleigh Boutique Hotel, BAHA, and The Fizzy Tarté. You'll have the autonomy to make an impact in your kitchen, with the support of an experienced Executive Chef to help you grow.
This role suits someone who's confident running a kitchen, not just working in one.
- Previous experience as a Head Chef, or a strong Sous Chef ready to step up
- Strong on standards, consistency, and kitchen discipline
- Food safety and hygiene knowledge (Level 2 minimum)
- Available for evenings, weekends, and peak seasons
Pay: £17.00 per hour
- Monthly tip pool
- Free meals on shift
- Discounts across all Hargreaves Enterprises venues
- Access to in-house training and industry qualifications (Level 2 to 5)
- Annual staff party
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Employee mentoring programme
- Health and wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Job type: Full-time, Permanent
Weekend Head Chef employer: Hargreaves Enterprises
At Lake View Garden Bar, we pride ourselves on being a vibrant and dynamic workplace where creativity thrives and every team member is valued. Located in the stunning Bowness-on-Windermere, our award-winning venue offers not only competitive pay and a monthly tip pool but also extensive training opportunities and a supportive work culture that encourages personal and professional growth. Join us to lead a passionate kitchen team in a lively environment, where your contributions will be recognised and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Weekend Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, take a stroll around Lake View Garden Bar. Familiarise yourself with the vibe and the menu. This will help you show genuine interest and give you some great talking points during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! When you're in the interview, share examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team before. Talk about how you set standards and drove performance – they want to see that you can take ownership!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss high-volume service! Since this role is all about delivering consistent, high-quality dishes during busy times, prepare some stories about how you've managed stress and maintained quality in a fast-paced environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Lake View Garden Bar team. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
We think you need these skills to ace Weekend Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about creating amazing dishes and leading a team in a busy kitchen.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated your team in the past and how you plan to maintain high standards in our bustling kitchen.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; give us the juicy details! Share specific examples of how you've handled high-pressure situations, controlled costs, or trained your team. This will help us see how you can thrive at Lake View Garden Bar.
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, we love seeing applications come in through our own channels!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hargreaves Enterprises
✨Know Your Kitchen Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the menu and the kitchen operations at Lake View Garden Bar. Understand their style of cooking and what makes their dishes stand out. This will show your genuine interest and help you discuss how you can contribute to their high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen before. Talk about how you’ve trained staff, maintained standards, and handled busy services. This will demonstrate your capability to take ownership and drive performance.
✨Discuss Food Safety and Hygiene Knowledge
Make sure you’re up to date on food safety regulations and hygiene practices. Be ready to discuss your experience with compliance and how you ensure a clean and safe kitchen environment. This is crucial for any kitchen role, especially in a high-volume setting like this one.
✨Prepare Questions for the Executive Chef
Interviews are a two-way street, so think of insightful questions to ask the Executive Chef. Inquire about their vision for the kitchen, how they support their team, or what challenges they face. This shows that you’re not just interested in the job, but also in being part of the team and contributing to its success.
