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- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team to create delicious, seasonal dishes from local produce.
- Company: The Bridges Pub, a family-owned farm-to-table pub in beautiful Shropshire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, staff meals, 28 days holiday, and accommodation options.
- Other info: Join a small, dedicated team in a collaborative environment focused on excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with sustainable food practices and creative menu planning.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management, food safety, and a passion for local ingredients.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
A rare opportunity to lead the kitchen at a regenerative farm-to-table pub. The Bridges is part of the family-owned Linley Estate, where we are passionate about serving honest food grown on our regenerative farm or sourced from local producers who share our values. Our menus change daily, driven entirely by what’s available from the farm, garden, and surrounding area. If you believe food should be local, seasonal, sustainable, and above all delicious, this could be the role for you.
The Role
This is a tough, demanding, and responsible position. You’ll be the heart of the house, building and leading a small but mighty kitchen team that works in harmony to produce beautiful food showcasing exceptional ingredients. Working alongside General Manager Sam and the wider management team, you’ll be responsible for quality, consistency, budgets, margins, and all aspects of health and safety in the kitchen. You’ll work directly with our head gardener to understand what’s available, getting creative during both times of glut and scarcity. You’ll communicate with the farm manager about livestock, liaise with aligned local suppliers, and be responsible for delivering the Linley Estate message through food. Minimal waste isn’t just a goal—it’s essential, with recycling and composting at every opportunity.
What We’re Looking For
- A natural leader who communicates clearly and confidently
- Ability to nurture and develop a team, encouraging creativity and collaboration
- Commitment to training and educating staff in our ethos and approach
- Willingness to get creative with what’s available, even when that means digging deep
- Strong understanding of HACCP, food safety, and maintaining 5-star standards
- Enthusiasm for sourcing from the farm and garden above all else
- Confidence catering to various dietary requirements, especially gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian
What You’ll Do:
- Lead daily menu planning driven by farm and garden availability
- Build and maintain a strong, collaborative kitchen team
- Hold regular appraisals and demonstrate duty of care for your team’s wellbeing
- Manage rotas, stock control, and ensure the kitchen is adequately staffed
- Organize team development activities—supplier visits, foraging trips, garden work
- Work closely with front of house to maintain exceptional service standards
- Present at weekly management meetings and attend regular estate meetings
- Be present during our busiest times—key weekends and holidays
- Support with events, guest chef slots, and private hires
What We Offer
- Salary of £40,000-£50,000 depending on experience, with accommodation available if required
- 28 days holiday entitlement
- Staff meals, tips, and pension contributions
- 48-hour working week
- The opportunity to cook with incredible farm-grown produce and build menus around what’s truly in season
- Creative freedom within our farm-to-table ethos
- A collaborative environment where your ideas and leadership will shape the kitchen
- The chance to be part of a regenerative farming estate with genuine values
- Working in beautiful rural Shropshire
- Small, dedicated team where everyone matters
Essential Requirements
- Level 3 Food Safety qualification
- Allergen awareness training
- Full UK driving licence (essential due to rural location)
- Experience managing budgets, food costs, and achieving strong GP margins (70% blended menu GP)
- Passion for organic, sustainable, and regenerative food practices
About The Bridges
The Bridges is a country pub with bed and breakfast accommodation. All are welcome and we aim to have something for everyone. Collaboration, creativity, and service excellence are at the foundation of everything we do, and we’re always striving to exceed our customers’ expectations.
Ready to Apply?
If you’re a hard-working leader who wants to cook beautiful food that tells the story of where it comes from, we’d love to hear from you. Start date: March 2026. Please send your CV and cover letter explaining why you’re the right person to lead our kitchen to: manager@thebridgespub.co.uk
Find out more about us: Website: www.thebridgespub.co.uk Instagram/Facebook: @Thebridgespub
Head Chef employer: Thebridgespub
Contact Detail:
Thebridgespub Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team before you even step into the kitchen! Reach out to current staff or management on social media. A friendly chat can give you insights into the pub's vibe and show your genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! Prepare a unique dish that highlights local ingredients and aligns with their farm-to-table ethos. Bring it along to your interview or share it in your application to make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your leadership style. They’re looking for someone who can nurture a small team, so think of examples where you've successfully led a kitchen or collaborated with others to create something special.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining The Bridges family and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your cover letter, let us know why you’re passionate about local, seasonal, and sustainable food. Share any experiences that highlight your commitment to these values, as it’s a big part of what we do at The Bridges.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: We’re looking for a natural leader, so make sure to showcase your experience in managing a kitchen team. Talk about how you’ve nurtured talent and encouraged creativity in past roles—this will really resonate with us!
Be Specific About Your Experience: In your CV, don’t just list your previous jobs; give us details about your responsibilities and achievements. Mention any experience with budgeting, food safety, and menu planning, especially if it aligns with our farm-to-table ethos.
Tailor Your Application: Make your application personal! Address it to the right person and mention specific aspects of The Bridges that excite you. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thebridgespub
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on local produce and seasonal ingredients. The Bridges is all about farm-to-table, so being able to discuss your favourite local suppliers or seasonal dishes will show your passion for the ethos they uphold.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to nurture creativity and collaboration among staff, as this is crucial for the role. Think of specific situations where you’ve turned challenges into opportunities for team growth.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Sustainability
Be ready to discuss your experience with sustainable practices in the kitchen. Whether it’s minimising waste or sourcing ingredients responsibly, showing that you align with their values will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions about menu planning and how you would handle both abundance and scarcity of ingredients. Think through how you would creatively adapt menus based on what’s available from the farm and garden, and be prepared to share your thought process.