Head Chef in Salisbury

Tucked into the Chalke Valley on what was once part of the Earl of Pembroke's estate, The Queen's Head is a pub with real character and history. Original flagstone floors run through the building, and the inglenook fireplace remains at its heart, roaring through the colder months. A recent refurbishment has added nine beautifully appointed bedrooms, elevating what was already a much-loved village pub into one of the valley's standout places to eat, drink and stay.

We're looking for a Head Chef who leads from the front, sets high standards, and brings their team with them. Our food ethos is shaped collaboratively by the kitchen teams across the group, so your role is to execute it brilliantly, service after service, while creating an environment where people can develop and do their best work. The food is hearty, honest and rooted in the seasons: handmade pies, proper Sunday roasts and British produce sourced from trusted local suppliers. The craft is in the consistency — delivering quality, every day, without compromise.

A respectful kitchen is non-negotiable for us. We want people to enjoy coming to work, and that starts with how teams treat each other. There are no split shifts. Overtime is paid. Uniform is provided and laundered. If you want to progress, there’s a clear pathway and the support to help you get there. We offer flexible working patterns that fit around your life, not the other way round. Every penny of service charge is shared across the whole team — chefs, front-of-house and housekeeping included — with complete transparency through your own Grateful account. If you work a six-hour shift, you eat from the menu. Away from work, you'll enjoy 50% off food at any of our pubs for you and up to five guests. We close on Christmas Day. Each year, we bring everyone together for the Annual Chickpea Awards Bash to celebrate the people who make the business what it is. On your birthday, you'll receive a £100 voucher to spend at any of our pubs. There are also monthly rewards and giveaways, including the chance to win a night away at one of our places. We recognise long service too. Throughout the year, we organise team trips and away days, from visits to local suppliers to trips abroad. If you're ambitious and want to develop, we'll build a training programme around you. Whether that's WSET qualifications, apprenticeships, leadership development or broadening your skills across the business, the opportunities are there for those who want them. We're committed to helping people build long and rewarding careers in hospitality. And because life isn't always straightforward, you'll also have access to confidential 24/7 support for your mental, physical and financial wellbeing. Whenever you need someone to talk to, help is there.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading, inspiring and developing the kitchen team, creating a culture built on high standards and mutual respect.
• Taking ownership of the day-to-day running of the kitchen, including stock management, preparation, quality control and efficiency.
• Working alongside kitchen teams across the group to deliver menus that reflect our shared food ethos.
• Ensuring every dish leaving the pass is consistent, beautifully presented and full of flavour.
• Maintaining the highest standards of hygiene, health and safety.
• Supporting the growth and development of junior chefs through coaching, training and mentoring.

Who We're Looking For

• Proven experience as a Head Chef in a quality-led kitchen.
• A genuine passion for food and a commitment to delivering excellence, every service.
• A natural leader who can motivate, support and develop a team.
• Someone organised, detail-focused and comfortable taking ownership.
• A positive, energetic approach and the ambition to help build something special.

At The Queens Head, we're not looking for someone to simply run a kitchen. We're looking for someone who wants to build a team, shape a culture and be part of a growing group that believes hospitality is ultimately about people.