Head Chef

Head Chef

Full-Time 46000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a kitchen, create menus, and inspire your team at a historic pub.
  • Company: The Lass O’ Richmond Hill, a charming pub with a focus on quality seasonal food.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, service charge, tips, discounts, and culinary masterclasses.
  • Other info: Enjoy autonomy, support, and the chance to develop your culinary identity.
  • Why this job: Make your mark on a beloved pub while showcasing your culinary creativity.
  • Qualifications: Experience in leading a fresh food kitchen and a passion for British cuisine.

The predicted salary is between 46000 - 50000 £ per year.

Location: Richmond, London.

Kitchen: One of Richmond’s most distinctive pubs at the top of Richmond Hill, just moments from Richmond Park. The Lass is a historic pub with open fires, a sun-soaked garden, on-site car park and a reputation for quality seasonal food. The role offers an opportunity to lead a kitchen, shape the food identity, create menus and specials, work with suppliers and lead a team with genuine ambition.

What we offer:

  • Full autonomy to create your own menus and specials
  • Access to the Apprenticeship Scheme and Development Programmes
  • Regular culinary masterclasses covering topics such as game, butchery and shellfish
  • Inspirational food trips with top-quality suppliers
  • Regular Chef Forums with other Head Chefs to share ideas, inspire and develop
  • Free meals while on shift
  • 20% discount in all Young’s Pubs
  • 30% discount on overnight stays in our Pubs with Rooms
  • Share Save Scheme
  • Enhanced Company Pension Scheme
  • 28 days holiday per year
  • On-site car park
  • The chance to lead a kitchen in a beautiful, established, food-led pub with huge potential

About the food:

The Lass is built around the idea that a great pub menu should feel familiar, generous and deeply satisfying, while still showing real craft. The food style is seasonal British pub cooking with a refined, produce-led edge, featuring dishes such as beef tartare with crisp game chips, mince on dripping toast, terrines, pâtés and pickles made in-house, proper pies with deep glossy fillings and buttery pastry, rich braises, hand-cut chips, excellent roasts, seasonal fish, steaks, chops, puddings and simple vegetable-led dishes treated with real care. Our direction is focused on British classics done properly, gutsy and confident flavours, seasonal ingredients and thoughtful sourcing, house-made touches for pickles, chutneys, sauces, pastry etc., a strong bar and snack offer, and a marquee Sunday lunch with abundant roasts, excellent gravy, crisp potatoes, proper vegetables, generous Yorkshire puddings.

What we look for in a Head Chef:

  • Experience leading a fresh food kitchen
  • Loves seasonal British produce and proper pub food done well
  • Can create creative, commercial and consistent menus
  • Understands GP, stock control, ordering and labour management
  • Leads from the front and brings energy, structure and pride to the kitchen
  • Can train, motivate and develop their team
  • Takes ownership of standards, food safety and kitchen organisation
  • Thrives during busy services, especially Sundays, events and seasonal peaks
  • Wants to make their mark on a pub with character, heritage and ambition

About you:

You will be creative but organised, ambitious but grounded, and confident enough to take ownership of the kitchen while working closely with the General Manager to keep building The Lass as a local worth travelling to. This is a role for a chef who wants autonomy, support, development and the chance to lead a kitchen with real identity.

Experience Required

Employment: Full-time

Salary: £46,000 – £50,000 yearly

Benefits: Service charge + tips (additional £6,000+ annually)

Head Chef employer: Lass O’ Richmond Hill

At The Lass O’ Richmond Hill, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values creativity and autonomy in the kitchen. Located in the picturesque Richmond, London, our historic pub offers a vibrant work culture with opportunities for professional growth through our Apprenticeship Scheme, culinary masterclasses, and regular Chef Forums. With a focus on seasonal British cuisine and a supportive team environment, we provide our Head Chef with the chance to shape the food identity of a beloved local establishment while enjoying competitive benefits and discounts.

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Contact Details:

Lass O’ Richmond Hill Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Chef

Get a Taste of the Scene

Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!

Network at Food Festivals

Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!

Show Off Your Skills

Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Lass O’ Richmond Hill. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!

Reach Out Directly to Lass O’ Richmond Hill

Don't be shy about reaching out to Lass O’ Richmond Hill directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!

We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef

Leadership
Menu Creation
Seasonal British Cuisine Knowledge
Food Safety Standards
Stock Control
Ordering Management
Labour Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.

Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!

Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Lass O’ Richmond Hill and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!

Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lass O’ Richmond Hill

Show Your People Skills

In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!

Know Your Menu Inside Out

Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!

Demonstrate Your Team Spirit

Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'

Get Ready for a Practical Test

In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!