Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen team to create exceptional Mediterranean dishes and memorable dining experiences.
- Company: The Boxford, a dynamic Mediterranean restaurant focused on culinary excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, complimentary meals, 28 days holiday, and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the culinary direction and drive innovation in a supportive, collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or Head Chef with a passion for food and customer service.
- Other info: Join a family-feel culture with ongoing training and development for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 £ per year.
The Boxford is a vibrant, ambitious Mediterranean restaurant where seasonal creativity, precision, and excellence are at the hearts of our culinary identity. As Head Chef, you will lead and inspire a high-performing kitchen team to deliver exceptional food, memorable experiences, and operational excellence. This role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, an obsession with detail, and the ability to maintain calm, focus, and professionalism within a dynamic kitchen environment. You will shape the culinary direction of The Boxford – driving innovation, developing menus that celebrate flavour, and ensuring consistent delivery of outstanding dishes. You will also cultivate a warm, respectful, and collaborative team culture that supports growth, learning, and long-term development.
Salary Package: £40,000 – £55,000 (dependent on experience)
- Leadership & Team Development
- Inspire, lead and motivate the kitchen team to achieve business goals and exceptional service standards
- Mentor, coach, and train team members through regular 1:1s, PDPs, and performance management
- Manage recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and succession planning
- Create a culture of excellence, learning, and mutual respect; uphold grooming, professionalism, and hygiene standards
- Ensure high morale and team engagement through positive daily leadership
- Kitchen Operations & Standards
- Manage day-to-day kitchen operations to ensure smooth, efficient service for approximately 65 covers (up to 90 in peak service)
- Oversee food preparation, plating, and consistency to a high Rosette-level standard
- Maintain impeccable mise en place, production, cleanliness, and adherence to hygiene and food safety protocols
- Ensure the kitchen remains clean, efficient, and compliant with all H&S legislation (COSHH, Food Safety, Legal Regulations, Environmental Policies)
- Operate and maintain all kitchen equipment to ensure safe and effective 24/7 operation
- Menu Development & Culinary Creativity
- Lead on menu development, bringing seasonal, innovative, modern Italian flavours to life
- Drive innovation and continuously improve culinary standards, techniques, and processes
- Guide team members to cook and present dishes of exceptional quality, ensuring consistent guest satisfaction
- Stock, Budget & Profitability
- Manage all food budgets, recipe costing, GP targets, and overall kitchen profitability
- Plan and manage ordering in line with anticipated business levels
- Oversee stock rotation, storage, food utilisation, portion control, and waste minimisation
- Administration & Compliance
- Complete and oversee all kitchen administration tasks including due diligence logs, compliance documentation, and daily checklists
- Monitor adherence to all kitchen policies and procedures and implement improvements where required
- Attend and conduct departmental meetings to ensure smooth operational communication across the business
- Manage rotas, shift coverage, and resource planning across restaurant and events operations
- Anticipate guest needs and manage challenging service situations with professionalism and calm authority
- Qualifications
- Proven experience as a Sous Chef, Senior Sous Chef or Head Chef
- Proficiency in diverse cooking techniques and cuisines
- Leaving Cert level education or above NVQ qualification or equivalent
- Ability to display a real passion for food and customer service
- Flair and innovative with menus and food presentation
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Exceptional attention to detail
Benefits
A nurturing, collaborative environment where talent is recognised, supported, and developed. Genuine opportunities for progression into Senior leadership roles. Ongoing training and development to support personal and professional growth. A culture that celebrates initiative, curiosity, creativity, and attention to detail. WSH Restaurants has built a family-feel culture where we offer development and progression for all. In addition to that, we also offer a range of benefits including:
- Complimentary meals during shifts
- 28 days holiday, increasing with length of service
- Life Assurance
- Recommend-a-friend scheme with significant referral bonuses
- Access to Perkbox, offering discounts across gyms, travel, shopping, gadgets and more
- Reward programmes, long service awards, staff recognition, and performance incentives
- Workplace pension scheme
- Opportunity to develop and further your career within a fast growing and exciting company
- Employee Assistance Programme & wellbeing hub
- Cycle to Work Scheme
Boxford - Head Chef in Newbury employer: The Boxford
Contact Detail:
The Boxford Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Boxford - Head Chef in Newbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with fellow chefs, restaurant owners, and food enthusiasts. Attend culinary events or local food festivals to meet people who can help you land that Head Chef role at The Boxford.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary creativity! Bring a portfolio of your best dishes to interviews. This is your chance to demonstrate your innovative menu ideas and attention to detail that aligns with The Boxford's Mediterranean vibe.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the kitchen challenge! Be ready to showcase your leadership skills and how you handle a busy kitchen environment. Think about examples where you've inspired your team or tackled tough service situations with calm professionalism.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of The Boxford family and contributing to our culture of excellence and collaboration.
We think you need these skills to ace Boxford - Head Chef in Newbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and culinary creativity shine through. Share your experiences that highlight your passion for Mediterranean cuisine and how you’ve brought innovative flavours to life in previous roles.
Highlight Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, strong leadership is key. Make sure to include examples of how you've inspired and motivated your kitchen team in the past. We want to see how you’ve cultivated a positive team culture and supported your colleagues' growth.
Be Detail-Oriented: Attention to detail is crucial in our kitchen. In your application, mention specific instances where your meticulous approach has led to exceptional food quality or improved kitchen operations. This will show us you’re the right fit for maintaining our high standards.
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 vibrant team at The Boxford!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Boxford
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with Mediterranean cuisine and the specific dishes that The Boxford offers. Be ready to discuss how you would innovate or improve their menu, showcasing your culinary creativity and understanding of seasonal ingredients.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head Chef, leadership is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Talk about your mentoring approach, how you maintain morale, and how you handle challenging situations while keeping the team focused and calm.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
The Boxford values precision and excellence. During the interview, highlight your obsession with detail in food preparation and presentation. Discuss your experience with maintaining high standards in hygiene and safety protocols, as well as how you ensure consistency in every dish.
✨Prepare for Operational Questions
Expect questions about managing kitchen operations, budgets, and compliance. Be ready to discuss your experience with stock management, cost control, and how you’ve previously ensured smooth service during peak times. This will show your ability to handle the operational side of the role effectively.