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- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team and create delicious dishes for our guests.
- Company: A warm and welcoming gastro pub known for great food and a friendly atmosphere.
- Benefits: Creative freedom, share of gratuities, free parking, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact with fresh, flavour-led pub food in a bustling kitchen.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef, strong kitchen management skills, and a passion for quality food.
- Other info: Opportunities to work on diverse services and events in a close-knit team.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you ready to lead a passionate kitchen team in a thriving gastro pub? We’re a warm and welcoming village pub known for our consistently great food, relaxed atmosphere, and friendly team. From a fresh, seasonal à la carte offering to themed evenings and special event menus, we take pride in delivering delicious dishes that our guests love to return for.
What We Offer:- A bustling kitchen environment with a supportive, close-knit team
- Creative freedom to influence and evolve the menu
- Opportunities to work on a wide variety of services – from breakfast to Sunday roasts, pizza and tapas nights to set menus for private functions and buffets
- A focus on quality, mostly fresh food, with attention to seasonal ingredients and flavour
- A share of gratuities
- Free on site parking
We’re looking for a confident and experienced Head Chef who:
- Is comfortable running a busy kitchen and thrives under pressure
- Has strong GP and costing knowledge with a sharp eye on margins
- Can manage stock ordering, prep planning, and minimise wastage
- Works collaboratively with the front of house to ensure seamless service
- Is passionate about fresh, flavour-led, gastro-style pub food
- Enjoys leading a team with positivity, good humour and respect
Experience with buffets, sit-down events and managing dietary requirements is a must – our calendar contains bookings for private events, corporate functions, and fun community nights!
Typical Service Times:Lunch: 12pm–3:00pm (3:30pm on Saturday)
Dinner: 5pm–8:30pm
Themed Nights & Events throughout the month
Interested? If you're ready to lead a kitchen that puts pride in people, produce, and pub classics done well, we’d love to hear from you.
Head Chef in Reading employer: Sussex Inns
Contact Detail:
Sussex Inns Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the pub! Before your interview, pop in for a meal and chat with the staff. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand their vibe, which is key for a Head Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! Prepare a few menu ideas that highlight seasonal ingredients and flavour. Bring these along to your interview to demonstrate your passion for fresh, gastro-style pub food.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk numbers! Brush up on your GP and costing knowledge, as well as stock management strategies. Being able to discuss how you can minimise wastage will impress the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen to be part of our supportive, close-knit team at The Calleva Arms.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through! Share your experiences and what excites you about leading a kitchen team. We want to see your personality and passion for fresh, flavour-led dishes.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head Chef role. Highlight your experience with managing busy kitchens, stock ordering, and menu planning. We’re looking for someone who can handle the heat, so show us how you've thrived under pressure in past roles!
Be Specific About Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; give us examples! Talk about your GP and costing knowledge, and how you’ve managed dietary requirements in previous jobs. We want to know how you can contribute to our gastro pub's success.
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 it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at The Calleva Arms!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sussex Inns
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of dishes the gastro pub serves. Be ready to discuss how you would enhance their menu with fresh, seasonal ingredients and your own creative flair.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to manage stress, maintain a positive atmosphere, and collaborate with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless service.
✨Understand Costing and Margins
Brush up on your knowledge of GP and costing. Be prepared to discuss how you manage stock ordering and prep planning while minimising wastage, as this is crucial for running a successful kitchen.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect scenario-based questions about managing dietary requirements or planning for themed events. Think through your approach to these situations so you can demonstrate your experience and problem-solving skills.
