At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create innovative, seasonal menus.
- Company: Join Sussex Inns, a vibrant hospitality group focused on culinary excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a chance to showcase your culinary skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth in a supportive and creative kitchen culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Head Chef with strong leadership and financial management skills.
The predicted salary is between 28575 - 34925 £ per year.
We are seeking a commercially-minded, passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team. At Sussex Inns, our Head Chefs are more than just cooks; they are business leaders. You will take full ownership of the kitchen’s performance, driving both culinary excellence and financial profitability. You will be responsible for balancing the demands of high-quality food production with strict cost-of-sales management and team development.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial & Financial Management
- GP Management: Take full accountability for achieving target Gross Profit (GP) percentages by effectively managing menu engineering, portion control, and ingredient costs.
- Stock Control: Oversee all aspects of inventory management, including ordering, stock rotation, and minimizing waste (dry and wet stock) to ensure adherence to budget.
- Payroll Control: Manage kitchen rotas efficiently, ensuring labour costs remain within the agreed site budget without compromising service standards.
- Reporting: Regularly review P&L data to identify variances and implement corrective actions to improve kitchen performance and profitability.
- Culinary Leadership & Menu Development
- Menu Design: Develop and cost innovative, seasonal menus that reflect our brand identity while remaining commercially viable.
- Quality Standards: Ensure that every dish leaving the kitchen meets our exacting standards for taste, presentation, and consistency.
- Operational Excellence: Maintain a seamless workflow during busy service periods, troubleshooting issues quickly to ensure guest satisfaction.
- Team Leadership & Development
- Management: Recruit, train, and mentor the kitchen brigade, fostering a positive, disciplined, and high-performance kitchen culture.
- Training: Ensure all staff are fully trained in company procedures, culinary techniques, and food safety standards.
- Performance: Conduct regular team appraisals and identify opportunities for talent development within the kitchen.
- Safety & Compliance
- Hygiene Standards: Enforce rigorous food safety, hygiene, and cleanliness standards, ensuring full compliance with current regulations (HACCP/Environmental Health).
- Health & Safety: Maintain a safe working environment, ensuring all kitchen equipment is correctly maintained and that safety protocols are strictly followed by the entire team.
Required Experience & Skills
- Proven Head Chef Experience: Strong track record in a similar fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Financial Acumen: Demonstrable experience managing kitchen budgets, GP targets, and payroll percentages.
- Leadership: Excellent communication skills with the ability to inspire and manage a team under pressure.
- Food Safety: Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene certification is essential.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to plate presentation, food storage, and kitchen organisation.
Head Chef employer: The Partridge Inn
The Partridge Inn in Chichester is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where culinary creativity thrives. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor and develop your team while enjoying competitive benefits and a supportive environment that values quality and excellence in every dish.
