At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen, serving bold Americana-style dishes in a lively venue.
- Company: Maggie’s Rock’n’Rodeo, Scotland’s first country-themed bar with a fun atmosphere.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free meals, private medical insurance, and great work/life balance.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and create unforgettable dining experiences while having fun.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in a high-volume kitchen; BBQ experience is a plus but not essential.
- Other info: Enjoy exciting events, team socials, and opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 39000 £ per year.
We believe life is about the experience and we have great benefits in place to make sure the experience starts with you:
- From £37k - £39k, depending on experience + approx. £1 service charge p/h and the potential to earn bi-annual bonuses
- 100% of service charge goes to the team
- Free meal and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks on shift
- 50% off food and drink across itison venues with friends and family
- Private medical insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme to look after your mental wellbeing
- Complimentary tickets to itison major events
- 15% off at itison.com
- Taxi contribution for anyone working past 1am
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity
- Team Incentives including Employee of the Month
- Two fully paid socials a year
- Fully funded external training courses
- Great work/life balance with a rota that is 4 days on & 3 days off
- Great opportunities to develop and progress
About the Role
At itison venues, our main mission is to bring great experiences to all of our customers and we are looking for people who are just as passionate about doing this as we are! This is a hands-on Head Chef role where you will be responsible for delivering bold, Americana-style food at volume, without ever compromising on standards.
As Head Chef, you will lead the kitchen operation in a fast-paced, late-night venue serving smoke house favourites like brisket, pulled pork, ribs, wings and burgers. Our food is big, bold and crowd-pleasing rather than fine dining, but quality, consistency and execution matter.
- Oversee the day-to-day kitchen operation, leading from the front to deliver high-quality food during busy services, large group bookings and events.
- Take ownership of an Americana-style menu where smoked meats & BBQ techniques are central & our smoker is at the heart of producing dishes full of flavour & consistency.
- Manage fluctuating volumes, from packed-out weekends of 300+ covers to quieter nights and special events, using downtime productively for prep, planning, training and development.
- Train, coach and develop your kitchen team, setting clear standards and creating a positive, high-performing culture.
- Plan rotas, manage labour and food costs, and work to budgets and KPIs while maintaining a well-supported team.
- Ensure high levels of compliance across food safety, health & safety, risk assessments and allergen management.
- Work closely with the wider venue team to deliver seamless experiences for group bookings, themed events, live music nights and major occasions.
This role would suit a Sous Chef ready to step up into their first Head Chef position, or an experienced Head Chef who has worked in a high-volume, late-night or event-led venue with a similar style of food service.
About the Venue
Maggie’s Rock ‘n’ Rodeo is Scotland’s first country-themed bar where we’re partying til 3am every night and serving up the best brisket, burgers and buffalo wings this side of Nashville. Plus live bands and sports every night across our big screens, our very own Bull Pit complete with mechanical Buckin’ Bronco - and a wild line up of live events.
If you thrive in energetic environments, love variety and are comfortable switching gears depending on the demands of the business, this role will suit you perfectly. We are looking for someone who:
- Has a genuine passion for bold, flavour-driven food and at least 2 years’ experience working at a senior level in a high-volume kitchen.
- Is confident delivering consistent, high-quality dishes in time-pressured services, including large group bookings and event-led trade.
- Ideally has experience using a smoker, cooking over charcoal or open flames, or working with BBQ-style menus, although this is not essential if you are keen to learn.
- Is organised and adaptable, able to handle busy peak periods and quieter shifts with equal confidence and efficiency.
- Leads by example, communicates clearly and builds strong relationships within their team.
- Is reliable, hardworking and flexible, with a practical, hands-on approach to kitchen leadership.
- Pays close attention to detail and is comfortable following processes and paperwork, from stock control and ordering to cost control and reporting.
Full training on systems will be provided.
If you think this sounds like the right role for you, then we would love for you to apply. If we like your application, we will be in touch to arrange an interview with you.
Head Chef employer: itison Limited
Contact Detail:
itison Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, check out Maggie’s Rock’n’Rodeo online. Familiarise yourself with their menu and vibe. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to bring your A-game.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your experience in high-volume kitchens and how you handle busy services. Share specific examples of how you’ve led a team or tackled challenges in the kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for bold food! Talk about your love for Americana-style dishes and any experience you have with BBQ techniques. If you’ve got a story about a successful event or dish, share it!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for bold, flavour-driven food shine through. Share your experiences and what excites you about working in a high-energy kitchen like ours!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience, especially in high-volume kitchens or with BBQ-style menus. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Maggie’s Rock’n’Rodeo.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, so we can easily see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
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 updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at itison Limited
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with Americana-style dishes and BBQ techniques. Be ready to discuss how you would create bold flavours and manage a high-volume kitchen. This shows your passion and expertise in the type of food they serve.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've trained and developed kitchen staff in the past. Highlight your ability to create a positive culture and manage a busy kitchen environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
The role requires handling both peak and quieter periods. Think of specific instances where you successfully managed fluctuating volumes or adapted your approach based on the situation. This will show that you can thrive in their energetic environment.
✨Discuss Compliance and Safety
Be prepared to talk about your experience with food safety, health regulations, and allergen management. They’ll want to know you can maintain high standards while delivering great experiences, so have some examples ready to share.