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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 creative freedom.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team in a stunning rural setting with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with sustainable food practices and showcase your culinary creativity.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management, strong leadership skills, and a passion for local ingredients.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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 in Shrewsbury employer: Thebridgespub
Contact Detail:
Thebridgespub Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Shrewsbury
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the pub and its ethos before your interview. Check out their website and social media to understand their farm-to-table approach. This will help you connect your passion for local, seasonal food with their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! Prepare examples of how you've built and nurtured kitchen teams in the past. They want someone who can inspire creativity and collaboration, so be ready to share your experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your approach to menu planning based on seasonal availability. Think about how you can creatively use ingredients from the farm and garden, even during lean times. This will show you're aligned with their values.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to highlight your understanding of food safety and budget management. They’re looking for someone who can maintain high standards while keeping costs in check, so come armed with relevant examples from your experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Shrewsbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your cover letter, let us feel your enthusiasm for local, seasonal, and sustainable food. Share your experiences that align with our farm-to-table ethos and how you can bring that passion to The Bridges.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in leading kitchen teams and managing budgets. We want to see how your skills match the demands of this role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!
Be Authentic: We value honesty and authenticity, so be yourself in your application. Share your unique approach to cooking and team leadership, and how you plan to nurture creativity within our kitchen team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at The Bridges!
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 values farm-to-table practices, so being able to discuss your favourite local suppliers or seasonal dishes will show your passion for the role.
✨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 Head Chef position at The Bridges.
✨Understand the Ethos
Familiarise yourself with The Bridges' commitment to sustainability and minimal waste. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to these values through your cooking and management style.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect scenario-based questions about menu planning and managing dietary requirements. Think about how you would handle a busy service or adapt a menu based on what's available from the farm, and be prepared to share your thought process.