At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen team and create memorable dining experiences.
- Company: Join Rick Stein Restaurants, an iconic coastal business with a fresh vision.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, progression opportunities, and creative input into menus.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a quality-driven restaurant by shaping a new chapter.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in a leadership role within a quality-led hospitality business.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to influence a growing brand in a laid-back environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
To support this next phase, we’re reshaping our leadership team across both Kitchen and Front of House, and we’re looking for an exceptional Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to help bring this new vision to life. If you thrive in fast-paced, vibrant environments, love creating memorable guest experiences, and are passionate about developing teams, we’d love to hear from you.
As Head Chef / Kitchen Manager, you will lead the kitchen operation, setting the standard for food quality, pace, consistency, and team culture. You’ll play a key role in shaping menus, supporting the venue’s new social dining style, and working closely with Front of House to deliver an outstanding guest experience. You’ll be a visible, hands-on leader who inspires your brigade, drives performance, and ensures the kitchen operates safely, efficiently, and commercially.
What You’ll Be Doing- Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing kitchen team
- Deliver consistent, high-quality food aligned to Fistral’s new concept
- Play an active role in menu development, specials, and seasonal dishes
- Control food margins, labour costs, and kitchen budgets
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, health & safety, and HACCP
- Recruit, train, and retain talented chefs
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and professional kitchen culture
- Work collaboratively with the General Manager and FOH leadership team
- Maintain strong supplier relationships and ordering processes
- Drive continuous improvement across standards, systems, and service
- Proven experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Senior Kitchen Leader in a quality-led hospitality business
- A genuine passion for food, drink, and guest experience
- Strong leadership and people-development skills
- Commercially minded with experience managing GP, labour, and performance
- Excellent communication and organisational ability
- Calm, confident, and structured under pressure
- A hands-on leader who leads from the front
- Commitment to building inclusive, engaged, and high-performing teams
- Excited by change and the opportunity to shape a new chapter for the venue
- The opportunity to influence a growing and evolving brand
- Creative input into menus, drinks, events, and guest experience
- Support from ambitious board directors and senior leadership
- Competitive salary plus progression pathway
- Development opportunities within Rick Stein Restaurants
- A chance to be part of an iconic coastal business entering an exciting new phase
If you’re ready to take the lead in a people-focused, quality-driven restaurant and make a real impact, apply now and join Rick Stein Restaurants. Rick Stein Fistral is casual and laid-back serving Rick’s famous fish & chips as well as Indian takeaway with dishes inspired by Rick’s travels. Perfectly positioned overlooking Fistral beach and bustling with hungry visitors.
Head Chef in Newquay employer: Rick Stein Careers
Contact Detail:
Rick Stein Careers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Newquay
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Before your interview, pop by Fistral and soak up the atmosphere. Familiarise yourself with the menu and the vibe. This will not only help you stand out but also show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! During your interview, share specific examples of how you've motivated and developed your kitchen teams in the past. We want to see that you can inspire others and create a positive kitchen culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your ideas! Think about how you would approach menu development and what unique dishes you could bring to Fistral. We love creativity, so don’t hold back on sharing your vision for the kitchen!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows that you’re keen on joining our team at Rick Stein Restaurants. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Newquay
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and guest experiences shine through. Share specific examples of how you've created memorable dining moments or developed exciting menus in the past.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you lead and inspire your team! Talk about your experience in developing kitchen staff and fostering a positive culture. Mention any successful initiatives you've implemented to motivate your brigade.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experience and skills, making it easy for us to see why you're the perfect fit for the Head Chef role.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Rick Stein Fistral!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rick Stein Careers
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the current menu and any seasonal dishes. Think about how you would enhance it or introduce new concepts that align with the venue's vision. This shows your passion for food and your proactive approach to menu development.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to motivate and develop talent, as well as how you foster a positive kitchen culture. Being a hands-on leader is key, so share stories that demonstrate your leadership in action.
✨Understand the Business Side
Brush up on your knowledge of managing food margins, labour costs, and kitchen budgets. Be ready to discuss how you’ve controlled these aspects in previous roles. This will show that you’re not just a creative chef but also commercially minded, which is crucial for the Head Chef position.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle specific situations in the kitchen, such as dealing with high-pressure moments or resolving team conflicts. Think through your responses ahead of time, focusing on your calm and structured approach under pressure, which is essential for this role.