At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented kitchen team and create seasonal, produce-led menus.
- Company: Luxury hotel restaurant in the stunning Somerset countryside.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, staff meals, discounted stays, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Enjoy a beautiful working environment and creative ownership in your role.
- Why this job: Shape a unique dining experience with fresh, local ingredients and wood-fired cooking.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 € per year.
We are looking for a Head Chef to lead a beautiful 40-cover hotel restaurant set within a restored dairy on a luxury country estate in Somerset. This is a hands-on leadership role for a chef who loves seasonal cooking, estate-grown produce, wood-fired cooking, and direct guest interaction. The restaurant is entering an exciting new phase, with plans to grow in the near future. You will have the chance to shape the menu, develop the kitchen team, and play a key part in the restaurant's next chapter. Due to the rural location, a driving licence is recommended.
The Role
- You will take full ownership of the kitchen.
- You will create seasonal menus built around produce grown, reared, and foraged on the estate, alongside carefully sourced local ingredients.
- The kitchen is open, guest-facing, and centred around wood-fired cooking.
- You will need to be confident leading from the front, communicating clearly, and building a calm, focused, and motivated team.
Key Responsibilities
- Create seasonal, produce-led menus with bold, memorable flavours.
- Lead, train, and develop a talented kitchen team.
- Work closely with estate growers and local suppliers.
- Oversee daily kitchen operations from breakfast through to dinner.
- Maintain high standards of food quality, consistency, and presentation.
- Manage food costs, ordering, stock, and kitchen efficiency.
- Support private dining, events, and exclusive-use bookings.
- Work closely with front of house to deliver a smooth guest experience.
- Maintain excellent health, safety, and hygiene standards.
What We Are Looking For
- Experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef.
- Background in a luxury hotel, destination restaurant, or quality-led kitchen.
- Genuine passion for seasonal British produce.
- Experience with wood-fired ovens or live-fire cooking.
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to develop a team.
- Calm, organised, and confident under pressure.
- Commercial awareness and strong food cost control.
- Hands-on approach with high standards.
- Confident communicating with both the team and guests.
What Is On Offer
- A GBP 50,000 per annum plus tronc.
- Circa 7k.
- Full-time role, 45 hours across 5 days.
- Strong benefits package.
- Staff meals while on site.
- Discounted hotel stays and restaurant dining.
- Access to spa, swimming pools, gym, and wellbeing classes.
- Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 remote GP access.
- Life cover at 2x salary.
- Retail discounts across estate and online shops.
- Garden membership and access to partner gardens.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Regular team events and recognition rewards.
- Up to 30 days annual leave for full-time team members.
The Restaurant
The restaurant is part of a luxury hotel project set within the Somerset countryside. It has 17 guest rooms, a swimming pool, games room, honesty bar, and a 40-cover restaurant housed in a restored stone barn. The food style is seasonal, generous, and produce-led, with sharing plates, wood-fired cooking, and a strong connection to the land around it. Service is relaxed but polished. The kitchen is open and interactive, with chefs often serving dishes directly to guests.
Why This Role Stands Out
This is not a standard hotel Head Chef role. You will have access to exceptional produce, a beautiful working environment, and the chance to build something with real identity. You will suit this role if you want creative ownership, strong support, and a kitchen where the food starts with what is growing around you.
Head Chef, Open fire restaurant : Somerset in Castle Cary employer: TipTopJob
Join a luxury hotel restaurant in the stunning Somerset countryside, where you will lead a passionate kitchen team in creating seasonal, produce-led menus that celebrate local ingredients. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, you will enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional growth in a supportive and creative environment. This is a unique chance to shape the culinary identity of a restaurant that values quality, sustainability, and guest interaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef, Open fire restaurant : Somerset in Castle Cary
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the restaurant's vibe! Before your interview, visit the place if you can. Check out the menu, the atmosphere, and even chat with some staff. This way, you can tailor your conversation to show how you fit into their unique style.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for seasonal cooking! Bring examples of how you've used local produce in your previous roles. Maybe even suggest a few ideas for their menu based on what’s in season. This will demonstrate your commitment and creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about leadership! They want someone who can inspire and develop a team. Share stories of how you've led a kitchen before, especially in high-pressure situations. It’s all about showing you can keep things calm and focused.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to highlight your communication skills! Since the kitchen is open and guest-facing, it’s crucial to show you can interact well with both the team and guests. Practice how you’d explain your dishes or cooking methods to diners.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef, Open fire restaurant : Somerset in Castle Cary
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Seasonal Cooking:When writing your application, let us see your love for seasonal British produce shine through. Share any experiences you've had with estate-grown ingredients or wood-fired cooking to really make your application stand out.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've trained and developed kitchen teams in the past, and how you maintain a calm and focused environment under pressure.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to highlight your key achievements and skills, especially those that align with our job description.
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our beautiful Somerset restaurant!
How to prepare for a job interview at TipTopJob
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with seasonal British produce and the local suppliers you might be working with. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate these ingredients into your menus, showcasing your passion for estate-grown and foraged items.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach and how you plan to develop and motivate your kitchen team. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led a team in high-pressure situations, especially in a luxury setting.
✨Emphasise Your Cooking Techniques
Since this role involves wood-fired cooking, be prepared to discuss your experience with live-fire techniques. Bring examples of dishes you've created using these methods and how they enhance the dining experience.
✨Engage with the Guest Experience
As the kitchen is open and guest-facing, think about how you can create an interactive dining experience. Be ready to share ideas on how you would engage with guests and ensure their experience is memorable, from the kitchen to the table.
