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- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team and create consistently excellent dishes.
- Company: Join the supportive Upham Inns family with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible shifts, free meals, and discounts on food and hotels.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food in a growing business that values your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to step up.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities and a chance to develop future culinary talent.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join the Upham Inns Family and Lead From the Kitchen. An exciting new chapter is underway at Upham Inns. Following recent acquisitions and continued growth across our pub family, we’re expanding our kitchen leadership teams and are now looking for an inspiring, hands-on Head Chef to help shape the future of our food. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing, people-first business where food quality, standards, and development truly matter. Our pubs are evolving, our ambitions are big, and we’re looking for a Head Chef who is passionate about great cooking, proud to lead and develop chefs, and committed to running a clean, safe, and legally compliant kitchen. If you love producing consistently excellent food, building strong kitchen teams, and creating an environment where chefs can learn, grow, and succeed, this could be the role for you.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary to be discussed at interview, plus bonus potential & Tronc
- Flexible shifts where possible – balance matters
- Free meal on shift – great food fuels great chefs
- Up to 50% off food when dining with up to 6 guests
- 33% off hotel stays across our collection
- Award-winning training and development, including clear progression opportunities
- Wage streaming service – access your pay when you need it
- Salary Extras Portal – discounts at Asda, Aldi, B&Q, H&M, Clarks, Tesco & more, plus Cycle2Work Service
- Awards & Birthday Gift – because you matter
- £1,000 refer-a-friend & chef recruitment incentives
About the Role
Being a Head Chef with us is about more than delivering great dishes. It’s about setting standards, developing people, and creating a kitchen culture built on pride, professionalism, and teamwork. You’ll take ownership of food quality and consistency, lead from the front during service, and play a key role in training and mentoring your brigade. You’ll also ensure the kitchen operates to the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and legal compliance, every single day.
Head Chef Responsibilities
- Lead and inspire the kitchen team to deliver consistently high-quality food
- Train, coach, and develop chefs at all levels, building strong future talent
- Ensure food preparation and service meet company specifications and brand standards
- Maintain excellent hygiene, health & safety, and food safety standards at all times
- Ensure full compliance with food safety legislation, allergen controls, and due diligence
- Oversee ordering, stock control, portioning, and wastage management
- Manage kitchen rotas in line with labour budgets
- Work closely with the General Manager to deliver a seamless guest experience
- Drive a positive, professional, and supportive kitchen culture
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a Head Chef who leads with skill, pride, and purpose:
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to step up
- A genuine passion for producing great food using quality ingredients
- A strong focus on cleanliness, food safety, and legal compliance
- Confidence in training, mentoring, and developing chefs
- Organised, calm under pressure, and detail-focused
- Commercial awareness around GP, stock control, and labour
- Flexible to work up to 48 hours per week, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays
- Right to Work in the UK
Why Join Us?
At the heart of Upham Inns is a strong family culture. When you join us, you become part of a supportive, hands-on business that genuinely cares about its people. We invest in developing our chefs, taking time to understand their goals and helping them progress. As our business continues to grow, so do the opportunities to move forward in your career, whether that’s developing your own kitchen team, stepping into multi-site roles, or supporting future openings. Our pubs are known for warm hospitality and seriously good food, delivered by teams who take pride in what they do.
It’s an Exciting Time to Join Us. We’re growing, investing, and raising the bar across our kitchens and we want passionate chefs to grow with us. If you’re ready to lead a kitchen you can be proud of, develop chefs, and deliver food that guests return for time and time again, we’d love to hear from you. Let us be part of your next chapter.
Head Chef in Berkhamsted employer: Upham Head Office
Contact Detail:
Upham Head Office Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Berkhamsted
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs and industry contacts. Attend local food events or workshops to meet people who might know about openings. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even a video showcasing your cooking techniques. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to restaurants or pubs you admire. Express your passion for their food and ask if they’re looking for a Head Chef. You never know what opportunities might arise!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting opportunities at Upham Inns. By applying directly, you’ll get the chance to showcase your personality and passion for food, which is just as important as your experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Berkhamsted
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your experiences and what inspires you in the kitchen. We want to see that you're not just a chef, but someone who truly cares about the food you create.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your experience in training and developing others. Talk about how you've built strong kitchen teams in the past and how you plan to do the same with us at Upham Inns.
Be Clear About Your Standards: We take cleanliness and food safety seriously, so don’t shy away from discussing your commitment to these standards. Mention any relevant certifications or practices you follow to ensure a safe and compliant kitchen environment.
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. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join the Upham Inns family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Upham Head Office
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of ingredients and dishes that Upham Inns values. Be ready to discuss your favourite recipes and how you source quality ingredients. This shows your passion for great cooking and aligns with their commitment to food quality.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Discuss your approach to training and mentoring chefs, as well as how you foster a positive kitchen culture. This will demonstrate your ability to inspire and develop talent.
✨Emphasise Cleanliness and Compliance
Be prepared to talk about your experience with maintaining hygiene and safety standards in the kitchen. Share specific practices you implement to ensure compliance with food safety legislation, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Discuss Your Vision for the Kitchen
Think about how you would shape the future of the kitchen at Upham Inns. Share your ideas on menu development, team dynamics, and how you would maintain high standards. This shows your ambition and commitment to the role.
