Head Chef - Oxfordshire - £35,000-£40,000
£35,000-£40,000 per year | Full-time, Permanent | Predominantly Daytime Hours
Are you a passionate chef looking for a role that offers a better work-life balance without compromising on quality, creativity, or career progression? We're looking for a talented Head Chef to lead the kitchen in one of our thriving garden centre restaurants near Abingdon. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with fresh, seasonal ingredients, inspire a dedicated team, and play a key role in shaping menus across our growing family-run business.
About Us
We are a proudly independent, family-owned group with a passion for great food and genuine hospitality. Our restaurants are at the heart of our centres, welcoming guests throughout the day for freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas, and special events. We believe in creating an enjoyable working environment where people are supported, valued, and given the opportunity to develop and grow.
The Offer
- Salary of £35,000-£40,000, with higher earnings available for candidates with multi-site menu development experience
- Predominantly daytime hours, averaging 39.5 hours per week over a two-week rota
- The opportunity to influence and develop menus across our wider restaurant group
- Pension scheme and life assurance
- Staff discounts across the business
- Free on-site parking
- A supportive, family-run culture where your ideas and experience are genuinely valued
- The chance to work with fresh food in a business that prioritises quality over shortcuts
The Role
As Head Chef, you'll be at the heart of the kitchen, leading by example and ensuring every dish leaving the pass reflects our commitment to quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction. You will:
- Lead and motivate the kitchen team during preparation and service
- Prepare fresh breakfasts, lunches, and seasonal specials using quality ingredients
- Contribute ideas and creativity to menu development and seasonal promotions
- Manage production for afternoon teas, events, and peak trading periods
- Control food costs through effective ordering, stock management, and waste reduction
- Recruit, train, and develop chefs and kitchen assistants
- Work closely with the Restaurant Manager to ensure efficient staffing and smooth operations
- Collaborate with front-of-house teams to deliver a seamless guest experience
- Maintain exceptional food safety and hygiene standards
About You
We're looking for a chef who combines strong culinary ability with a positive leadership style. You'll have:
- Experience as a Head Chef or an ambitious Sous Chef ready to step up
- A genuine passion for fresh food and seasonal cooking
- A strong understanding of food cost control, stock management, and kitchen profitability
- The ability to lead, motivate, and develop a successful kitchen team
- Excellent knowledge of food safety, allergens, and health and safety requirements
- A Level 3 Food Safety qualification, or a willingness to obtain one
- Confidence using ordering, stock control, and rota systems
- Reliable transport to travel to the site
Experience That Would Be Beneficial
- Seasonal menu planning and development
- Afternoon tea or event catering experience
- Training and mentoring junior chefs or apprentices
- Creating costed recipes and specifications for multiple sites
If you're looking for a Head Chef role that combines quality food, creative input, supportive leadership, and a healthier work-life balance, we'd love to hear from you.
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