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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen team and create fresh, seasonal dishes.
- Company: Join Heartwood Collection, an award-winning group of cosy pubs and brasseries.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, private healthcare, and discounts at our venues.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing community with progression opportunities and a supportive culture.
- Qualifications: 3-4 years as a Head Chef with leadership skills and financial acumen.
- Other info: We're expanding rapidly, aiming for over 60 locations by 2027!
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Head Chef
We’re on the hunt for an experienced Head Chef who can lead and inspire their team, work magic with fresh, seasonal ingredients, and maintain the highest standards across the Heartwood Collection. If you care deeply about quality, enjoy mentoring others, and want to bring vibrant, honest cooking into homes and hearts, this is the role for you.
We’re an award-winning group of cosy pubs and atmospheric brasseries that truly feel like home. From the elegance of Brasserie Blanc to the charm of Heartwood Inns, we pride ourselves on serving fresh, seasonal dishes to our local communities.
What we offer:
- Competitive salary package, includes TRONC* and Bonus based on KPIs
- Contract of 48 hours
- Private healthcare through Bupa
- The Pantry – 100s of retailers and experience discounts through Reward Gateway
- 50% off food at any Heartwood Collection sites
- 20% off Friends and Family discount on food at any Heartwood Collection sites
- 33% discount when booking our Heartwood Rooms
- 15% Friend and Family discount on our Heartwood Rooms
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity package
- 25 days of holiday plus Bank Holidays
- Up to £1,500 Referral Bonus
- Additional holiday – option to buy an extra 5 days holiday per year
- Instant access to pay you have already earned through EarlyPay
- Employee Assistance Program with Hospitality Action
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- A thoughtful gift to celebrate your birthday
- Long service rewards
About You:
- Be passionate about the food, culture and bringing out the best in the food, service and people
- Must be able to run a service from the line, fresh food cuisine and delivering training and support to a team of chefs
- Able to run all aspects of a kitchen and team, proven record of leadership skills, delivering results and reporting to the Area Chefs
- 3-4 years experience as a Head Chef with branded operations knowledge and taking control of financial aspects of running a kitchen and hitting KPIs
- Previous experience of using Procure Wizard would be preferable.
Heartwood Collection is a multi-award-winning hospitality group:
- Sunday Times Best Places to Work winner 2024
- Double winner at the Publican Awards 2024
- Best Pub Brand/ Concept at the Publican Awards 2025
At Heartwood Collection, we’re excited about the future. With over 40 locations now and plans to expand to more than 60 by 2027, including over 500 bedrooms, there’s never been a better time to join us. We’re committed to growing our team with progression opportunities across our estate.
Join us and be part of a community that’s warm, genuine, and full of life.
*On Target Earnings is based on a 48-hour working week, TRONC is calculated from the expected 6 months\’ site average
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Head Chef employer: Heartwood Collection
Contact Detail:
Heartwood Collection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Showcase your passion for food and leadership during any informal conversations or networking events. Engage with current employees or industry professionals to learn more about Heartwood Collection's culture and values, which can help you align your approach when discussing your fit for the Head Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific dishes and seasonal ingredients that Heartwood Collection prides itself on. Being able to discuss how you would enhance their menu or introduce new ideas can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with financial management in a kitchen setting. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed costs, increased profitability, or improved KPIs in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
If you have experience with Procure Wizard, make sure to highlight this in conversations. If not, consider doing a bit of research on it so you can speak knowledgeably about how you would adapt to using it in your new role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Head Chef position at Heartwood Collection. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, such as leadership, fresh food cuisine, and financial management.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in kitchen management, team leadership, and any specific achievements in previous roles. Mention your familiarity with branded operations and any experience with Procure Wizard.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for food and hospitality. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team and delivered results, aligning your experiences with the values of Heartwood Collection.
Showcase Your Personality: In your application, let your personality shine through. Heartwood Collection values vibrant individuals, so express your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to their warm and genuine community.
How to prepare for a job interview at Heartwood Collection
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for food and cooking during the interview. Share your experiences with fresh, seasonal dishes and how you bring creativity to the kitchen. This will resonate well with the values of Heartwood Collection.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Discuss your approach to training and supporting chefs, as well as how you handle challenges in a busy kitchen environment. This will showcase your ability to manage and inspire a team.
✨Know Your Numbers
Be ready to discuss the financial aspects of running a kitchen, including budgeting, cost control, and hitting KPIs. Familiarise yourself with any relevant tools like Procure Wizard, as this knowledge will highlight your operational expertise.
✨Align with Company Culture
Research Heartwood Collection's values and culture before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding community engagement and creating a warm atmosphere in the workplace.
