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: Up to £44,000 salary, performance bonuses, live-in accommodation, and free meals.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy in the kitchen and opportunities for professional growth.
- 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 Honiton employer: James Webber Recruitment
Join a thriving country pub in East Devon, where you will enjoy a supportive 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 opportunities for genuine autonomy in the kitchen and professional growth. With live-in accommodation and free meals on duty, this is an excellent opportunity for passionate chefs looking to make their mark in a stable and established business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Busy Fresh Food Country Pub - East Devon in Honiton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the industry, attend local food events, and connect with other chefs. You never know when a chat over a pint might lead to your next big opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even a video showcasing your cooking techniques. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to pubs and restaurants you admire. Express your interest and ask if they’re looking for a Head Chef – sometimes, the best jobs aren’t advertised!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented chefs like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Busy Fresh Food Country Pub - East Devon in Honiton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Fresh Food:When writing your application, let us know how much you love working with fresh ingredients. Share any experiences that highlight your commitment to quality food and how you've successfully managed a busy kitchen in the past.
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 trained and developed kitchen staff, and how you foster a positive kitchen culture. We want to see your ability to inspire others!
Be Specific About Your Carvery Experience:Since carvery experience is essential for this role, don't hold back! Detail your previous work with carveries, including any special techniques or menu ideas you've implemented. This will help us see how you can contribute to our renowned carvery operation.
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, it shows you're keen to join our team!
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. Talk about your approach to training and developing staff, as well as how you maintain a positive kitchen culture, especially during busy service times.
✨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 and busy service periods. Share specific instances where you remained calm and focused, ensuring that standards were met even during peak times. This will highlight your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, which is crucial for this role.
