At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a busy kitchen, create fresh menus, and manage a talented team.
- Company: Thriving country pub in beautiful East Devon with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Salary up to £44,000, performance bonuses, live-in accommodation, and free meals.
- Other info: Enjoy genuine autonomy and career growth in a stable environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and showcase your culinary skills in a popular pub setting.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef with carvery expertise.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 44000 £ per year.
JWR is delighted to be working with a thriving and well-established country pub in East Devon, seeking an experienced and hands-on Head Chef to lead its busy kitchen operation. This is an exciting opportunity for a strong kitchen leader who enjoys working with fresh food, managing high-volume service, and delivering a quality traditional pub offering. Carvery experience is essential, as the business is renowned for its popular and successful carvery operation alongside an extensive menu of classic pub favourites and seasonal specials.
Package
- Salary up to £44,000 DOE
- Performance-related bonus scheme
- Shared tips
- Live-in accommodation available
- Company pension
- Staff discounts
- Free meals on duty
- Free parking
- Genuine autonomy within the kitchen
- Stable and established business
The Role
As Head Chef, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day management of the kitchen, ensuring consistently high standards across all food offerings while maintaining strong financial and operational controls. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and managing all kitchen operations
- Delivering a high-quality fresh food menu and traditional carvery
- Developing seasonal specials and menu ideas
- Managing food costs, GP margins and stock control
- Building strong relationships with suppliers
- Recruiting, training and developing the kitchen team
- Producing weekly rotas and managing labour costs
- Maintaining all food safety, HACCP and health & safety procedures
- Ensuring consistently high standards of food quality and presentation
- Driving a positive and productive kitchen culture
Requirements
We are looking for a Head Chef who thrives in a fast-paced environment and leads from the front. You will have:
- Previous experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to step up
- Proven experience within a busy fresh food kitchen
- Essential carvery experience
- Strong leadership and team development skills
- Excellent organisational and time management abilities
- Sound understanding of kitchen finances and cost controls
- A passion for quality food and customer satisfaction
- The ability to remain calm and focused under pressure
If you're an experienced kitchen leader looking for your next challenge within a busy and successful country pub operation, we'd love to hear from you.
Head Chef - Busy Fresh Food Country Pub - East Devon in Exeter employer: James Webber Recruitment
Join a thriving country pub in East Devon, where you'll enjoy a vibrant work culture that values fresh food and quality service. As Head Chef, you'll benefit from a competitive salary, performance-related bonuses, and shared tips, alongside live-in accommodation and free meals on duty. This is an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth, allowing you to lead a passionate kitchen team while enjoying the autonomy to create seasonal specials in a stable and established environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Busy Fresh Food Country Pub - East Devon in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, suppliers, and even customers. You never know who might have a lead on the perfect Head Chef position or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or pop-up kitchen to showcase your carvery expertise and fresh food creations. This is a great way to get noticed and make connections.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on places that match your vibe. Check out our website for openings that fit your style and experience. Tailor your approach to each pub’s unique offering!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios you might face in a busy kitchen. Show them you can handle the heat and keep the quality high, just like in your previous roles!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Busy Fresh Food Country Pub - East Devon in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Fresh Food:When writing your application, let us see your love for fresh ingredients and quality cooking shine through. Share any experiences that highlight your commitment to delivering top-notch dishes, especially in a busy kitchen setting.
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 successfully managed kitchen operations, trained staff, and created a positive work environment in your previous roles.
Be Specific About Your Carvery Experience:Since carvery experience is essential for this role, don’t hold back! Detail your background with carvery operations, including any unique techniques or menu ideas you've implemented that made a difference in service.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at James Webber Recruitment
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the pub's menu and their carvery offerings. Be ready to discuss how you would enhance their current dishes or introduce seasonal specials. This shows your passion for quality food and your understanding of what makes a successful pub kitchen.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, strong leadership is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past, focusing on training, development, and creating a positive kitchen culture. Highlight any specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience with kitchen finances, including managing food costs and GP margins. Bring examples of how you’ve successfully controlled costs while maintaining high food quality. This will show that you can handle the operational side of the role effectively.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Expect questions about how you handle stress in a busy kitchen environment. Share specific instances where you remained calm and focused during peak service times. This will reassure them that you can lead the team effectively, even when things get hectic.
