At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented kitchen team and create seasonal, produce-led menus with bold flavours.
- Company: Luxury hotel restaurant set in the beautiful Somerset countryside.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, staff meals, discounted stays, wellness access, and up to 30 days annual leave.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic, guest-facing kitchen with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the menu and make a real impact in a unique, creative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef with a passion for seasonal cooking.
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
- As Head Chef, 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 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 well-being, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including discounted stays, wellness access, and generous annual leave, all within a supportive and creative work culture that encourages personal and professional growth. This is an exceptional opportunity for a Head Chef to shape a unique dining experience in a beautiful setting, making it an ideal employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding culinary careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef, Open fire restaurant : Somerset
✨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 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. Talk about your experience with wood-fired cooking and how it can elevate the dining experience at this restaurant.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your leadership style! They want someone who can motivate a team and maintain high standards. Share stories of how you've developed kitchen teams and handled pressure while keeping the atmosphere calm and focused.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to highlight your commercial awareness! Discuss how you’ve managed food costs and efficiency in past roles. This shows you understand the business side of running a kitchen, which is crucial for this position.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef, Open fire restaurant : Somerset
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 connect with what we're all about.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience in your application. Talk about how you've developed kitchen teams in the past and how you keep things calm and organised 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 restaurant's vision.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at TipTopJob
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you’re well-versed in seasonal British produce and local suppliers. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate these into your menus, especially with a focus on wood-fired cooking. Show your passion for the ingredients and how they can elevate the dining experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head Chef, you’ll need to lead from the front. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully trained and developed kitchen teams in the past. Highlight your calmness under pressure and how you maintain a motivated team environment, especially during busy service times.
✨Engage with the Guest Experience
Since the kitchen is open and guest-facing, think about how you can enhance the dining experience through direct interaction. Be prepared to share ideas on how you would connect with guests while serving dishes, making it a memorable experience for them.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Awareness
Understanding food costs and kitchen efficiency is crucial. Come prepared with strategies on how you would manage these aspects effectively. Discuss your experience with budgeting and how you ensure high standards without compromising on quality.
