At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen, ensuring top-notch food quality and safety.
- Company: Village, where hospitality meets personality and genuine connections.
- Benefits: Competitive bonuses, gym memberships, discounted hotel stays, and mental health support.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth and development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team and create unforgettable dining experiences for guests.
- Qualifications: Experience in a fast-paced kitchen and a passion for leading teams.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Role Outline: Your Shift at a Glance
As our Head Chef, you are the absolute anchor of the food operation. This is about running a highly commercial, fast-paced kitchen where food safety, GP targets, and brilliant presentation are non-negotiable. You will lead the brigade, manage the madness of service, and ensure every plate leaving the pass makes the guest want to return.
Why Village? At Village, we do hospitality a little differently. We are all about personality, genuine connections, and creating great experiences for our guests and each other. That is why we back our teams to be themselves, take ownership, learn new skills, and grow their careers. Previous experience is great, but your attitude and energy matter much more to us. If you are friendly, positive, love working with people, and enjoy being part of a busy team, we will give you all the support, training, and opportunities you need.
How the Village Thrives
- We Can & We Do: We show up to make a genuine difference and do fantastic work every day, with purpose.
- We Will: Treat each other with respect and dignity. No ego, no drama. We try our best and look out for each other.
- We Care: We care about our impact on guests, the community, and each other.
Your Shift: What You’ll Actually Be Doing
As our Head Chef, you are the engine of the shift. We trust you to handle:
- The Kitchen Floor: Controlling the flow of service, keeping portion sizes exact, and ensuring the temperature and appearance of every dish is spot on. You will supervise the junior chefs, coordinate with front of house, and keep the energy high when the dockets are printing non-stop.
- The Commercial Reality: Owning the numbers. You will fiercely protect your gross profit, manage wage costs to align with footfall, keep stock at perfect par levels, and build solid business cases if the kitchen needs investment.
- The Standards: Driving an absolute obsession with food safety and hygiene. You will ensure allergens are understood, brand standards are nailed, and EHO directives are followed to the letter, aiming for top marks in every internal and external audit.
- The People: Coaching, mentoring, and dealing with the friction that naturally happens in a busy kitchen. You will build a supportive culture where chefs learn, develop, and want to stay.
How We Succeed Together We do not micromanage. It takes a village, so we believe in Ownership & Integrity, giving you the autonomy to handle your area and make decisions on the fly. We Empower & Elevate our people. If you want Room to Grow, we provide funded qualifications and internal moves. We constantly Innovate & Progress so we can Inspire Excellence and smash our targets together.
Selling Our Benefits
- Bonus Scheme: A competitive quarterly bonus to reward you for hitting those crucial commercial and operational targets.
- Gym Membership: 2 x complimentary gym memberships at your home hotel.
- Hotel Stays: Hotel rooms from £20 across 35 hotels.
- Food & Drink: 50% off food and drink for you and up to 5 guests, plus 75% off Sunday dinner for up to 6 people.
- Friends & Family: 2 friends or family members get 25% off F&B, even when you are not there.
- Retail & Lifestyle: Hundreds of brand discounts via the Village app.
- Support: 24/7 Mental Health support via our Employee Assistance Programme.
Think You’ve Got the Right Energy? We are not looking for perfect CVs, we are looking for great people. If you enjoy leading a fast-paced kitchen team and love creating memorable experiences for guests, we want to hear from you. Bring your personality, your drive, and your ambition. Hit apply, tell us why you love hospitality, and let's see if our energies align.
Head Chef employer: St Davids
At Village, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture where personality and genuine connections are at the heart of everything we do. As a Head Chef, you'll not only lead a dynamic kitchen team but also benefit from extensive training, career growth opportunities, and a range of perks including competitive bonuses, discounted hotel stays, and mental health support. Join us in creating memorable experiences for our guests while enjoying a supportive environment that truly values your contributions.
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 St Davids. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to St Davids
Don't be shy about reaching out to St Davids 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
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 St Davids 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 St Davids
✨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!
