At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen, develop menus, and drive culinary standards.
- Company: Y Bryncynan, a vibrant food pub in stunning North Wales.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, live-in accommodation, free meals, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Join a supportive team in a beautiful coastal community.
- Why this job: Shape a menu with local produce and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven Head Chef or strong Senior Sous experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Y Bryncynan is a stone-built food pub on the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales, recently taken on under new ownership and being repositioned as one of the region's leading food destinations. We're looking for a Head Chef to lead the kitchen and help us get there. This is a serious role for a serious chef. You'll have real input of the menu and the direction of the business, and a working relationship with directors who care about food, listen to your voice, and want you to push standards as far as they'll go.
The food
Fresh, modern British, built around local Welsh produce. The current menu already runs proper craft — 48-hour braised beef ragu, dry-aged Welsh pork belly with cider and wholegrain mustard, house focaccia and sourdough, fresh chicken & wild mushroom gnocchi, Menai mussels, slow-cooked Welsh beef, Welsh rarebit crumpets. Made in-house, no shortcuts, no freezer-to-fryer. Your job is to take it further.
What you'll own
- Full ownership of the kitchen—service, sections, pass, and standards
- Menu development, seasonal specials, and supplier relationships
- GP management, food cost control, ordering and waste
- Recruiting, training and developing the brigade
- Health & safety, food safety, and HACCP compliance
- Working directly with the directors on the food direction of the business
What you bring
- Proven Head Chef or strong Senior Sous experience in a fresh-food pub, gastropub, or rosette-level kitchen
- Real menu development and creative flair
- Strong commercial head—GP, food cost, labour control
- Calm, fair leadership style that builds and retains good teams
- Genuine ambition to grow with the business
The package
- Competitive salary, negotiable based on experience
- Tronc on top
- Live-in accommodation available — quality room on-site, walking distance to the kitchen
- Permanent, year-round contract— we trade 12 months
- Company pension
- Free meals on shift, staff discount off duty
- Free on-site parking
- Single site now, with more planned — real progression for the right person
Why the Llŷn
One of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the UK — coast, surf, mountains, proper Welsh community, and a strong regional food scene with the likes of Plas Bodegroes, Dylan's and Porth Tocyn on the doorstep. Quality of life is genuine here, not a line in a job ad. If you're a Head Chef who wants to be involved in building something proper, with directors who'll back you and a business with room to grow, this is the role.
Head Chef in Pwllheli employer: Only Chefs Ltd
Y Bryncynan offers an exceptional opportunity for a Head Chef to lead a kitchen in one of the UK's most stunning coastal locations. With a commitment to fresh, locally sourced produce and a supportive management team that values your input, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, live-in accommodation, and genuine opportunities for career progression. Join us in creating a vibrant food destination while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the Llŷn Peninsula.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Pwllheli
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs, suppliers, and food enthusiasts. Attend local food events or join culinary groups to make those valuable connections that could lead to your next big opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or pop-up dinner to showcase your culinary flair. This not only demonstrates your creativity but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job ads to pop up. Reach out directly to restaurants or pubs you admire, like Y Bryncynan, and express your interest. A personal touch can go a long way in landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your passion and commitment. Make sure to highlight your experience in fresh-food kitchens and your vision for menu development when you apply. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Pwllheli
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Talk about your culinary journey, the dishes that inspire you, and how you plan to elevate our menu at Y Bryncynan. We want to see your creative flair!
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; dive into the details! Share specific examples of menu development, team leadership, and how you've managed food costs. This helps us understand how your experience aligns with what we’re looking for.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for this role. Highlight your experience in fresh-food pubs or gastropubs, and mention any local Welsh produce you’ve worked with. We appreciate when candidates take the time to connect their skills to our needs!
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 at Y Bryncynan!
How to prepare for a job interview at Only Chefs Ltd
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the current menu and can discuss each dish in detail. Think about how you would elevate these dishes or introduce new seasonal specials. This shows your passion for food and your creative flair.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to talk about your leadership approach and how you develop a kitchen team. Share specific examples of how you've built strong teams in the past and how you handle challenges in a busy kitchen environment. This will demonstrate your calm and fair leadership style.
✨Understand the Business Side
Brush up on your knowledge of GP management, food cost control, and waste management. Be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully managed these aspects in previous roles. This will show that you have a strong commercial head and can contribute to the business's success.
✨Express Your Ambition
Let them know about your genuine ambition to grow with the business. Discuss your vision for the kitchen and how you see yourself contributing to the restaurant’s evolution. This will resonate with directors who are looking for someone to help shape the future of their establishment.
